MINING GUIDE ยท EVERY ORE
Minecraft Ore Distribution
This Minecraft ore distribution guide shows the best Y level for every ore in 1.18 and newer: coal, copper, iron, gold, lapis, redstone, emerald, diamond, and the Nether ores. Mine at the right height and you’ll find twice as much.
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Free guide for Java and Bedrock, written for Minecraft 1.21 and newer.
More Minecraft finders
Village Finder
Find the closest villages to spawn for an easy first night.
Biome Finder
Find cherry groves, mushroom fields and the deep dark.
Slime Chunk Finder
Spot slime chunks below Y=40 for farms, Java and Bedrock.
Stronghold Finder
See every stronghold ring, so you need fewer Eyes of Ender.
Ancient City Finder
Locate deep dark cities and plan a quiet route in.
Nether & End
Fortresses, bastions, end cities and end gateways.
Seed Finder
Search for seeds with a village and a rare biome near spawn.
3D Seed Viewer
Rotate mountains and valleys around any spot on your seed.
About This Guide
Since the Caves & Cliffs update (1.18), each ore has its own height range, and most ores have a peak where they’re most common. Some ores, like iron and coal, have two peaks: one underground and one in the mountains. Use the table below to plan where to dig.
Overworld Ore Distribution Table
| Ore | Range | Best Y level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | Y 0 to 320 | Y 96 | Also common in mountains up to Y 136+ |
| Copper | Y -16 to 112 | Y 48 | Extra in dripstone caves |
| Iron | Y -64 to 320 | Y 15 or Y 232 | Two peaks: underground and mountains |
| Gold | Y -64 to 32 | Y -16 | Extra gold up to Y 256 in badlands |
| Lapis lazuli | Y -64 to 64 | Y 0 | |
| Redstone | Y -64 to 15 | Y -59 | More common the deeper you go |
| Diamond | Y -64 to 16 | Y -58 | See our best Y level for diamonds guide |
| Emerald | Y -16 to 320 | Y 232 | Mountain biomes only |
Nether Ore Distribution
| Ore | Range | Best Y level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient debris | Y 8 to 119 | Y 15 | Needs a diamond or netherite pickaxe |
| Nether quartz | Y 10 to 117 | Any | Common everywhere |
| Nether gold | Y 10 to 117 | Any | Drops gold nuggets |
Best Single Level for Mixed Mining
If you want a bit of everything in one tunnel:
- Y -58: diamonds, redstone, gold, lapis, and deepslate iron
- Y 15: lots of iron, some gold, lapis, and redstone
- Y 48: copper, iron, and coal
Mountains Are Ore Mines Too
Since 1.18, tall mountains hold a second band of iron and coal near Y 232 and above, plus emerald in mountain biomes. Find a big mountain range on the Minecraft seed map and tunnel into the peaks.
Tips for Every Ore
- Use Fortune III on coal, copper, lapis, redstone, diamond, emerald, and quartz.
- Use Silk Touch if you want the ore block itself.
- Iron, copper, and gold drop raw ore, which you smelt in a furnace or blast furnace.
- Ore veins: large iron and copper veins can appear in caves, with a few raw ore blocks inside.
Old Versions (1.17 and Earlier)
Before 1.18, ores used flat ranges: diamonds Y 1 to 16, gold Y 1 to 32, iron Y 1 to 64, and coal Y 1 to 128. If your world is old and you’re mining in old chunks, use those heights.
Related Minecraft Tools
Free tools that help with this guide:
- Minecraft Seed Map: the full map with every biome and structure
- Badlands Finder: Badlands and mesa biomes by seed
- Mineshaft Finder: Mineshafts by seed
- Amethyst Geode Finder: Amethyst geodes by seed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Y level for iron?
Y 15 underground, or Y 232 in tall mountains.
What Y level is ancient debris at?
Between Y 8 and Y 119 in the Nether, most common around Y 15.
Where do emeralds spawn?
Only in mountain biomes, most common around Y 232. Villagers are an easier source.
Does the seed decide where ores are?
Yes, ore positions come from the seed, but we don’t map individual ores. Mine at the best Y level instead.
Final Thoughts
Every ore has a sweet spot. Mine Y -58 for diamonds and redstone, Y 15 for iron, Y 48 for copper, and head into the mountains for emeralds and extra iron.
