Crusader Kings III Save File Location
Last verified: 2026-09-20
Save file location (Windows): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games
- Windows
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games- PlayStation 5 / PS4
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data- Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data- Steam Deck / Linux (native)
~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III/save games
Here's exactly where Crusader Kings III stores your save files on PC, how cloud sync works, and how to back them up before modding or switching computers.
Save file locations
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games\ . PC saves are single .ck3 files. Ironman saves also end in .ck3 and sit in the same folder — copy them the same way.
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data
Console saves are sealed and can't be copied as raw files. Back them up to the cloud (PS Plus) or a USB drive from this menu.
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data
Xbox saves sync automatically to the cloud with your Microsoft account; there is no user-accessible save file on disk.
~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Crusader Kings III/save games
Crusader Kings III has a native Linux build (AppID 1158310), so on Steam Deck it runs natively — the save is in your Linux home, not a Proton prefix. Files are .ck3 (ironman saves are a single .ck3). This mirrors the Windows Documents path but under ~/.local/share.
Cloud saves
On PC, yes — Steam Cloud and the Paradox launcher back up saves if enabled. Console (PS5/Xbox) saves live in that platform's cloud and cannot be copied as raw files.
Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Crusader Kings III save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.
How to open the save folder
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Paste %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games and press Enter.
- Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
Crusader Kings III save won't load or says it's corrupt
CK3 keeps rolling autosaves in the same folder — load the most recent working autosave. Enabling cloud gives you an extra off-machine copy.
My Crusader Kings III save is missing or the folder looks empty
You may be looking in the wrong place — the folder is exact (watch Documents vs AppData). If Documents is synced to OneDrive, also check %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive\Documents. If it's still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy.
Crusader Kings III progress rolled back after a cloud conflict
When Steam reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of lost hours. If unsure, disable cloud, back up the local folder, then re-enable it.
Save won't load or shows as corrupted? See the Crusader Kings III corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.
FAQ
Where is the Crusader Kings III save file on PC?
It's at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games (files end in .ck3). Press Win+R, paste that path, and press Enter to open it.
How do I fix a corrupted Crusader Kings III save?
CK3 keeps rolling autosaves in the same folder — load the most recent working autosave. Enabling cloud gives you an extra off-machine copy.
How do I back up Crusader Kings III saves before modding?
Copy the entire save folder at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Crusader Kings III\save games somewhere safe before adding mods, so you can restore it if a mod breaks the save.
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Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.