Ore Distribution Chart

Minecraft 1.21+ ore distribution guide. Find the best Y-levels to mine for each ore type.

Mining Level

-64320

Ores at Y=-59

Redstone
100%
Diamond
95%
Iron
25%
Gold
10%
Lapis Lazuli
8%

Ore Distribution Chart

Coal
Copp
Iron
Gold
Lapi
Reds
Diam
Emer
Y=320
Y=312
Y=304
Y=296
Y=288
Y=280
Y=272
Y=264
Y=256
Y=248
Y=240
Y=232
Y=224
Y=216
Y=208
Y=200
Y=192
Y=184
Y=176
Y=168
Y=160
Y=152
Y=144
Y=136
Y=128
Y=120
Y=112
Y=104
Y=96
Y=88
Y=80
Y=72
Y=64
Y=56
Y=48
Y=40
Y=32
Y=24
Y=16
Y=8
Y=0
Y=-8
Y=-16
Y=-24
Y=-32
Y=-40
Y=-48
Y=-56
Y=-64
▲ Current mining level: Y=-59

Coal

Best: Y=96

Y Range:0 to 320
Fortune:Yes
Air Reduced:Yes

Generates in blobs, reduced when exposed to air

Copper

Best: Y=48

Y Range:-16 to 112
Fortune:Yes

Extra common in Dripstone Caves biome

Iron

Best: Y=16 / 232

Y Range:-64 to 320
Fortune:No
Air Reduced:Yes

Two peaks: Y=16 and Y=232. Upper peak generates larger veins

Gold

Best: Y=-16

Y Range:-64 to 32
Fortune:Yes
Air Reduced:Yes

More common in Badlands (mesa) biome at higher Y levels

Lapis Lazuli

Best: Y=0

Y Range:-64 to 64
Fortune:Yes

Best around Y=0, rarely exposed to air

Redstone

Best: Y=-59

Y Range:-64 to 16
Fortune:Yes

Uniform distribution with extra generation at deepest levels

Diamond

Best: Y=-59

Y Range:-64 to 16
Fortune:Yes
Air Reduced:Yes

Best at Y=-59, reduced near air (mine in solid stone)

Emerald

Best: Y=232

Y Range:-16 to 320
Fortune:Yes

ONLY in Mountain biomes, single block veins

Mining Tips for 1.21+

Diamond Mining

  • • Best level: Y=-59 (above bedrock)
  • • Branch mine in straight lines at Y=-59
  • • Avoid mining near caves (air exposure reduces spawns)
  • • Use Fortune III pickaxe for 2.2x average yield
  • • Deepslate is slower to mine, bring Efficiency V

Iron Mining

  • • Best levels: Y=16 (common) or Y=232 (large veins)
  • • Mountain peaks have massive iron veins
  • • Fortune does NOT work on iron ore
  • • Silk Touch + blast furnace for efficiency
  • • Iron golem farms are more efficient

Ancient Debris

  • • Best level: Y=15 in the Nether
  • • Bed/TNT mining is most efficient
  • • Only 1-4 spawn per chunk (very rare)
  • • Blast resistant - won't be destroyed by explosions
  • • Fortune does NOT increase drops

General Tips

  • • Press F3 to see your Y coordinate
  • • Bring water bucket for lava at low levels
  • • Fire Resistance potions help in the Nether
  • • Night Vision helps in dark caves
  • • Consider Mending on your tools