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Minecraft 1.21 Ore Distribution – Best level for all ores (Diamonds, Gold, Restone & more)

Here are the best levels to find tons of Ores in Minecraft 1.21!

Here are the best levels for all ores in Minecraft 1.21, with all the info you need on their distribution to help you mine efficiently. With over 10 different ores to find and mine in Minecraft, there's a lot of searching that precedes before you can hoard these resources. However, each of these ores has a higher chance of spawning at certain levels or depths on the map.

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Best level locations for every ore in Minecraft - All Y Levels

Ore locations in Minecraft like Coal, Diamond and Redstone.
Image by Pro Game Guides

Before we get into the details, here's a complete overview of every ore and its most commonly found levels, alongside its total distribution range:

OreMost common level (in Y level)Total distribution range
Coal45Y levels 0 to 320
Copper43Y levels -16 to 112
Iron14Y levels -64 to 320
Lapis Lazuli-2Y levels -64 to 64
Gold-18Y levels -64 to 32
Redstone-59Y levels -64 to 16
Diamond-59Y levels -64 to 16
Emerald85Y levels -16 to 320

As you can see, some ores spawn below Y level 0. Do note that most ore blocks that spawn on Y level 0 and below will be in their deepslate variant. The ores that drop from deepslate blocks are also labeled as deepslate ores.

Coal Ore

Coal is arguably one of the most common ores you can find in the Minecraft Overworld. The coal ore has a wide spawn range from Y levels 0 to 320, with the most common level being 45. Burnt Forest Biomes, Mountain Biomes, and Caves have the highest chance of spawning this ore.

Copper Ore

Copper is a relatively common ore mostly found at Y level 43, with a spawn range from Y levels -16 to 112. This ore also has a higher spawn chance in the Taiga biome, but none spawn between Y -64 to -17.

Iron Ore

Iron is a really useful ore that spawns between Y levels -64 to 320, with the most common level being Y levels 14 and 232. Moreover, there's a higher chance of them spawning in the Stoney Peaks biome

Lapis Lazuli Ore

Lapis Lazuli has the highest spawn rate at Y level -2 with a total distribution range from Y levels -64 to 64. There's a relatively better chance for Lapis to spawn in Snomy biomes.

Gold Ore

Gold is highly sought-after in Minecraft and spawns across the Y levels -64 to 32. The best level to find it would be Y level -18. However, Gold ore has a higher spawn chance in the Badlands biome, with a spawn range of -64 to 256, and a higher chance at any Y level 32 or above.

Redstone Ore

Redstone is a versatile and useful ore that you can use to create almost anything in Minecraft. With a spawn range of Y levels -64 to 16 and the best distribution at Y level -59. If you want a better chance at finding redstone, the Cave and Jungle biomes are your best bet.

Diamond Ore

Diamond Ore is quite similar to Redstone in terms of distribution. It also has a spawn range of Y levels -64 to 16, with the highest spawn chance at Y level -59. In terms of biomes, you have the highest chance of getting them in the Jungle and Swamp biomes.

Emerald Ore

Emerald Ore is essential for trading with NPCs in Minecraft. If you want to find this ore, Y levels -16 to 320 is your best bet. The highest distribution of this ore is at Y level 85. Mountain and Hill biomes are the best places to farm this ore.

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Best level for every ore in the Nether Realm

Nether Ore locations in Minecraft like Nether Quartz, Gold and more.
Image by Pro Game Guides

Now that you know the common levels for all the overworld ores, here are the best levels for all the ores you can find in the Nether Realm in Minecraft:

OreMost common level (in Y level)Total distribution range
Nether Quartz30Y levels 6 to 118
Nether Gold70Y levels 10 to 114
Ancient Debris16Y levels 8 to 119

Minecraft Ore Distribution FAQ

How ore distribution works in Minecraft?

Minecraft's ore distribution is based on Y-level (vertical height) and is often influenced by specific biomes or generation mechanics. Rarer ores are found deeper underground, while common ores can be found across a broader range of Y-levels. The best ores are usually found deep in the deepslate layers.

Does the type of stone affect ore distribution?

Yes, the type of stone block does affect ores and their rarity. Below Y=0, stone is replaced by deepslate, and any ores that generate in this range will appear as their "deepslate" variant.

How hard is it to mine deepslate?

Deepslate is harder to mine than regular stone, making mining more challenging. Some ores also have reduced "air exposure" rates, meaning they are more likely to generate surrounded by solid blocks rather than exposed in caves.

For more on Minecraft, check out Best Minecraft Ancient City Seeds for Bedrock & Java on Pro Game Guides!

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About the Author

Sudhanyo Chatterjee has nearly six years of writing experience, with four focused on the gaming industry. He specializes in RPGs, strategy games, and mobile game guides. His favorite titles include the Diablo series and strategy staples like Total War and Age of Empires.