nocware
Quick answer
- Diamonds: Y -58 to -59.
- Iron: Y 14, or up in the mountains around Y 232.
- Gold: Y -18.
Ancient debris: Y 16 in the Nether.
Since the 1.18 Caves and Cliffs update, every ore has a sweet spot. Mine at the right height and you'll find way more for the same effort.
Ore DistributionFind the best Y level for diamonds, iron, gold, redstone, copper and every ore→
Best Y level for every ore
| Ore | Best Y | Found between | Pickaxe |
|---|---|---|---|
 Diamond | -58 / -59 | -64 to 16 | Iron |
 Redstone | As low as you can go | -64 to 15 | Iron |
 Gold | -18 | -64 to 32 | Iron |
 Lapis lazuli | -2 | -64 to 64 | Stone |
 Iron | 14 | -64 to 72, and 80 up | Stone |
 Copper | 43 | -16 to 112 | Stone |
 Coal | 45 | 0 to 320 | Wood |
 Emerald | Mountains, ~90 | -16 to 320 | Iron |
| Ancient debris | 16 (Nether) | Mostly up to 23 | Diamond |
Diamonds: the details
Diamonds get more common the deeper you go, so mine just above the bedrock layers at Y -58 or -59.
Don't rely on cavesDiamond ore touching air is often removed when the world generates. Strip mining or branch mining beats cave exploring for diamonds.
Check lava and water wallsDiamonds next to lava or water aren't reduced, so the walls of underground lakes are worth a look.
1diamond per ore normally
~2.2diamonds per ore on average with Fortune III
Iron has two hotspots
Underground iron peaks at Y 14. There's also a second batch high up in mountains. If you've spawned near tall peaks, look for exposed iron on the cliffs.
Emeralds only spawn in mountains
You'll only find emerald ore in mountain biomes like Meadow, Grove, Jagged Peaks and Windswept Hills. Most of it sits around Y 90 because that's where most of the mountain is.
Ancient debris
Head to the Nether and mine at Y 16. You need a 
diamond pickaxe or better. Smelt the debris into netherite scrap, then craft 4 scrap with 4 gold ingots to make one netherite ingot.
Playing Hardcore?Beds explode when you use them in the Nether, and lots of players use that to blast for debris. In Hardcore, one bad blast ends your world, so stick to normal mining or put solid blocks between you and the bed.
Cheat sheet
- Diamonds and redstone: as deep as possible (-58)
- Gold: -18. Lapis: -2. Iron: 14
- Copper and coal: around 43 to 45
- Emeralds: mountains. Ancient debris: Nether Y 16
Ore DistributionFind the best Y level for diamonds, iron, gold, redstone, copper and every ore→
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