diff --git a/builtin/game/item.lua b/builtin/game/item.lua
index 513c3a5..3aaa71e 100644
--- a/builtin/game/item.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/item.lua
@@ -675,6 +675,8 @@ end
 -- Item definition defaults
 --
 
+local default_stack_max = tonumber(minetest.settings:get("default_stack_max")) or 99
+
 core.nodedef_default = {
 	-- Item properties
 	type="node",
@@ -684,7 +686,7 @@ core.nodedef_default = {
 	inventory_image = "",
 	wield_image = "",
 	wield_scale = {x=1,y=1,z=1},
-	stack_max = 99,
+	stack_max = default_stack_max,
 	usable = false,
 	liquids_pointable = false,
 	tool_capabilities = nil,
@@ -748,7 +750,7 @@ core.craftitemdef_default = {
 	inventory_image = "",
 	wield_image = "",
 	wield_scale = {x=1,y=1,z=1},
-	stack_max = 99,
+	stack_max = default_stack_max,
 	liquids_pointable = false,
 	tool_capabilities = nil,
 
@@ -786,7 +788,7 @@ core.noneitemdef_default = {  -- This is used for the hand and unknown items
 	inventory_image = "",
 	wield_image = "",
 	wield_scale = {x=1,y=1,z=1},
-	stack_max = 99,
+	stack_max = default_stack_max,
 	liquids_pointable = false,
 	tool_capabilities = nil,
 
diff --git a/builtin/settingtypes.txt b/builtin/settingtypes.txt
index 101b32a..b9228f3 100644
--- a/builtin/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/builtin/settingtypes.txt
@@ -1079,6 +1079,10 @@ map-dir (Map directory) path
 #    Setting it to -1 disables the feature.
 item_entity_ttl (Item entity TTL) int 900
 
+#    Specifies the default stack size of nodes, items and tools.
+#    Note that mods or games may explicitly set a stack for certain (or all) items.
+default_stack_max (Default stack size) int 99
+
 #    Enable players getting damage and dying.
 enable_damage (Damage) bool false