Minecraft Ore Distribution (Java & Bedrock)
The best Y level for diamonds is Y -59, just above the bedrock; for ancient debris it's Y 16 in the Nether, and for iron Y 16. The chart shows where every ore generates in Minecraft 26.3, worked out from the game's own world generation files.
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Best Y level for each ore
| Ore | Best Y | Range | Hidden from caves? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | -59 | -64 to 16 | Mostly |
| Ancient Debris | 16 | 8 to 119 | Mostly |
| Iron | 16 | -64 to 319 | No |
| Gold | -16 | -64 to 256 | No |
| Redstone | -59 | -64 to 15 | No |
| Lapis Lazuli | 0 | -64 to 64 | Mostly |
| Emerald | 232 | -16 to 319 | No |
| Copper | 48 | -16 to 112 | No |
| Coal | 96 | 0 to 319 | No |
| Nether Gold | 10 | 10 to 117 | No |
| Nether Quartz | 10 | 10 to 117 | No |
From Minecraft Java 26.3 world generation data (2026-11-09). Refresh with npm run data:ores.
How to use it
- Pick Overworld or Nether, and tick the ores you want to compare.
- Drag the Y slider (or tap the chart) to see how much of each ore generates at that height.
- Read the best Y and the full range for each ore in the table, then strip mine at that level.
- Press F3 in game (Java) or turn on Show Coordinates (Bedrock) to see your Y.
How it works
Minecraft places ores as "placed features": each one tries a number of veins per chunk at a random height picked evenly (uniform) or with a triangle-shaped spread (trapezoid), and some veins skip blocks that touch air. The chart reads every ore feature from Java 26.3's world generation data, adds them up per Y level and scales each ore to its own peak. Diamond, ancient debris and buried lapis mostly avoid caves, so you find them by mining through solid rock rather than exploring caves. Bedrock Edition uses the same ore heights since 1.18, with small differences in vein counts.
Questions
What is the best Y level for diamonds?
Y -59. Diamonds generate from Y -64 up to Y 16 and get more common the deeper you go; Y -59 is the lowest level without bedrock in the way. Branch mine there and skip caves: half of diamond blocks next to air are removed.
What Y level is ancient debris at?
Ancient debris generates from Y 8 to Y 119 in the Nether, most often around Y 16. It never touches air, so mine through netherrack or use beds or TNT to clear big areas.
Why is iron so common in mountains?
Since 1.18, huge iron veins also generate inside mountains, most at Y 232. If your world has tall peaks, mine into them; otherwise Y 16 is the best underground level.
Are ore levels the same in 1.17 and older?
No. Before 1.18 the world started at Y 0 and diamonds were best around Y 11. The chart is for 1.18 and newer, including 1.21 and 26.x.
Is strip mining or caving better?
Caving finds iron, copper, coal and redstone fast because they don't avoid air. For diamonds, debris and buried lapis, strip or branch mining at the best Y is better because most of their blocks touching caves get removed.
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By PickaxeKit Editorial Team. Updated 2026-11-09.