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.
Best level locations for every ore in Minecraft - All Y Levels
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:
| Ore | Most common level (in Y level) | Total distribution range |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | 45 | Y levels 0 to 320 |
| Copper | 43 | Y levels -16 to 112 |
| Iron | 14 | Y levels -64 to 320 |
| Lapis Lazuli | -2 | Y levels -64 to 64 |
| Gold | -18 | Y levels -64 to 32 |
| Redstone | -59 | Y levels -64 to 16 |
| Diamond | -59 | Y levels -64 to 16 |
| Emerald | 85 | Y 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.
Best level for every ore in the Nether Realm
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:
| Ore | Most common level (in Y level) | Total distribution range |
|---|---|---|
| Nether Quartz | 30 | Y levels 6 to 118 |
| Nether Gold | 70 | Y levels 10 to 114 |
| Ancient Debris | 16 | Y levels 8 to 119 |
Minecraft Ore Distribution FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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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.