Find any ore instantly with exact coordinates from your world seed:
Use Ore FinderORE DISTRIBUTION IN 1.21
Since the Caves & Cliffs update (1.18), Minecraft uses a triangular distribution system for ore generation. Instead of ores spawning equally at all valid Y-levels, each ore has a peak level where it is most common. The further you move from that peak, the rarer the ore becomes.
The Overworld now stretches from Y-level -64 to Y-level 320, giving ores a much larger vertical range. Some ores, like iron, have multiple generation ranges with separate peaks. Others, like emeralds and ancient debris, are restricted to specific dimensions or biomes. Understanding these distributions is key to efficient mining in Minecraft 1.21.
The chart below lists every ore in the game with its full Y-level range and peak level. Mine at or near the peak level for the best results.
COMPLETE ORE LEVEL CHART
Coal Ore
Y-level range: 0 to 320 | Peak level: Y 96
The most common ore in the game. Generates in large veins throughout the upper half of the world. Abundant near mountain peaks.
Iron Ore
Y-level range: -64 to 320 | Peaks: Y 16 and Y 232
Iron has two distinct generation ranges. The lower peak at Y16 is best for general mining, while the upper peak at Y232 makes mountain tops an excellent iron source.
Copper Ore
Y-level range: -16 to 112 | Peak level: Y 48
Copper generates in medium-sized veins. Generates more commonly in dripstone caves. Used for crafting spyglasses, lightning rods, and decorative copper blocks.
Gold Ore
Y-level range: -64 to 32 | Peak level: Y -16
Gold generates deep underground in most biomes. In badlands biomes, gold generates at all levels up to Y256, making badlands the best biome for gold mining. Nether gold ore also spawns at all levels in the Nether.
Lapis Lazuli Ore
Y-level range: -64 to 64 | Peak level: Y 0
Lapis is essential for enchanting. Its peak at Y0 means you'll find the most lapis right at the old sea level. Generates in small veins.
Redstone Ore
Y-level range: -64 to 16 | Peak level: Y -59
Redstone shares the same peak level as diamonds. Mining at Y-59 lets you efficiently gather both redstone and diamonds at the same time.
Diamond Ore
Y-level range: -64 to 16 | Peak level: Y -59
The most sought-after ore. Diamonds are most concentrated at Y-59. Use our Diamond Finder to get exact coordinates from your world seed. Fortune III can yield up to 4 diamonds per ore block.
Emerald Ore
Y-level range: -16 to 320 | Peak level: Y 232
Emerald ore only generates in mountain biomes (windswept hills, meadows, groves, jagged peaks, etc.). It spawns as single blocks, never veins. The higher you climb in mountains, the more emeralds you find.
Ancient Debris
Y-level range: 8 to 119 | Peak level: Y 15 (Nether only)
Ancient debris is the source of netherite and only generates in the Nether. It spawns in tiny veins of 1-3 blocks and is blast-resistant. Bed or TNT mining at Y15 is the most popular farming method.
MINING TIPS FOR EACH ORE
- Coal - Rarely worth specifically mining for. You'll find plenty while exploring caves or mining for other ores near the surface.
- Iron - Strip mine at Y16 for the most iron, or explore mountain peaks above Y200 for easy surface-level iron.
- Copper - Head to dripstone caves around Y48 for boosted copper rates. Smelt raw copper into ingots.
- Gold - Mine at Y-16 in most biomes, or visit badlands for massive gold deposits at any height. In the Nether, gold ore drops nuggets when mined with a pickaxe.
- Lapis Lazuli - Mine at Y0. One vein usually gives enough lapis for many enchantments. Fortune enchantment greatly increases drops.
- Redstone - Mine at Y-59 alongside diamonds. One redstone ore drops 4-5 dust, and Fortune increases this even further.
- Diamond - Strip mine at Y-59 or use a Diamond Finder for exact coordinates. Always use Fortune III before mining if possible.
- Emerald - Only mine in mountain biomes. Trading with villagers is usually more efficient than mining for emeralds.
- Ancient Debris - Use beds (which explode in the Nether) or TNT at Y15. Ancient debris is blast-resistant, so explosions clear surrounding netherrack while leaving debris intact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Y-level has the most diamonds in Minecraft 1.21?
Diamond ore is most common at Y-level -59 in Minecraft 1.21. Diamonds generate between Y-64 and Y16, with the highest concentration at Y-59 due to the triangular distribution system introduced in 1.18.
Did ore distribution change in Minecraft 1.21?
Minecraft 1.21 uses the same ore distribution system introduced in the Caves & Cliffs update (1.18). Ores follow a triangular distribution pattern where they are most common at a peak Y-level and become rarer further from that peak. The world depth extends from Y-64 to Y320.
Where do I find ancient debris in the Nether?
Ancient debris generates in the Nether between Y-levels 8 and 119, with the highest concentration at Y-level 15. It spawns in small veins of 1-3 blocks and is blast-resistant, so bed or TNT mining at Y15 is the most efficient method to find it.