Help CenterOres are the backbone of survival in Minecraft. From diamonds for stronger tools and armor to coal and redstone that fuel and power your world, these resources are scattered across nearly every corner of the game. Knowing where to mine and how to collect them efficiently can mean the difference between thriving and struggling. This guide will cover each ore type, where to find them, what tools you’ll need, and useful tips. The focus here is on Minecraft version 1.21 and beyond.
Minecraft Ore Generation
Before heading into the mines, it’s important to understand how ores generate. With the newer updates (1.21+), ore distribution has changed from earlier versions like 1.18, so the best mining levels aren’t always where they used to be. Biomes now play a bigger role in ore generation as well, making location just as important as depth.
Every ore is tied to certain Y-levels, which represent how high or low you are in the world. Tracking your Y-coordinate will save time and make resource gathering much more efficient.
How to check your Y-level:
- Java Edition: Press F3 to open the debug screen and check your XYZ coordinates. If it doesn’t appear, check your keybind settings
- Bedrock Edition: Enable Show Coordinates in your world settings. If cheats are on, you can also use the command /gamerule showcoordinates true
Overworld Ores
The Overworld is home to the most familiar ores in Minecraft, ranging from basic resources like coal and iron to rare finds such as emeralds and diamonds. These ores fuel early survival, power mid-game progression, and remain useful even in the late game. Each one has its own level ranges, biomes, and unique purposes that shape how players explore and advance.
1. Coal
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=96 |
Y=0 to Y=256 |
Wooden pickaxe or better |
Coal is one of the most abundant and useful early-game resources. It generates in large veins, especially at higher elevations, and can also be found in fossils underground. Coal is essential for crafting torches to light caves and prevent mob spawns, as well as for smelting items. Mining coal ore drops coal (more with Fortune) or the block itself if using Silk Touch, along with a small amount of experience.
2. Copper
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=48 | Y=-16 to Y=112 | Stone pickaxe or better |
Copper is common and often appears in large veins, particularly in dripstone caves. It can generate as deepslate copper ore at lower levels or form rare mixed veins with granite and raw copper blocks above Y 0. Copper is used to craft items like the spyglass, lightning rod, and decorative copper blocks. The lightning rod can redirect lightning strikes and outputs a strong redstone signal when struck.
3. Diamond
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=-59 | Y=-64 to Y=16 | Iron pickaxe or better |
Diamonds are highly valued for crafting the strongest tools, weapons, and armor. They generate deep underground, replacing stone variants and forming deepslate diamond ore at lower depths. Diamonds can also rarely appear in fossils below Y=0. Efficient mining strategies include strip mining and branch mining, often with enchanted tools such as Efficiency or Unbreaking to maximize results.
4. Emerald
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=236 | Y=-16 to Y=320 | Iron pickaxe or better |
Emeralds are the rarest Overworld ore, found only in mountain and windswept hills biomes. They usually generate as single blocks, occasionally in veins of two, and are much rarer than diamonds. When mined, emerald ore drops one emerald, which is affected by Fortune. In deeper layers, they form as deepslate emerald ore, which is even rarer. Emeralds are mainly used for trading with villagers.
5. Gold
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=-16 | Y=-64 to Y=32 | Iron pickaxe or better |
Gold generates most often at lower depths and in large amounts in badlands biomes. It can also appear as deepslate gold ore in deeper layers. Smelting gold ore produces ingots, which are used for crafting golden apples, powered rails, clocks, and trading with piglins. In the Nether, gold nuggets from nether gold ore can be crafted into ingots.
6. Iron
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=16 Y= 232 |
Y=-64 to Y=320 | Stone pickaxe or better |
Iron is one of the most essential resources in the game, found across a wide range of Y-levels. It generates in stone, deepslate, and tuff, with massive veins sometimes forming deep underground that contain blocks of raw iron. Iron is used to craft armor, tools, and utility items such as buckets, compasses, anvils, cauldrons, and rails. Iron golems can also be created using iron blocks.
7. Lapis Lazuli
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=0 | Y =-64 to Y=64 | Stone pickaxe or better |
Lapis lazuli generates in clumps and can appear as deepslate variants at lower levels. Its primary uses are as a dye and as a key ingredient in enchanting. Because enchanting consumes lapis slowly, small amounts can last a long time. Lapis pieces can also be crafted into decorative blocks.
8. Redstone
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=16 | Y=10 to Y=117 | Iron pickaxe or better |
Redstone is vital for automation and circuitry, typically found deep underground near diamond levels. It generates as redstone ore or deepslate redstone ore. Mining it drops redstone dust, which is the core component for crafting contraptions such as clocks, compasses, and advanced redstone devices.
Nether Ores
The Nether introduces a different set of ores that are just as valuable but often harder to obtain. From quartz and gold used in crafting and trading to ancient debris required for upgrading to netherite, these resources reward players willing to brave the dimension’s dangers. Learning where and how these ores generate is key to making the most of your time in the Nether.
1. Nether Quartz
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=16 | Y=10 to Y=117 | Wooden pickaxe or better |
Nether quartz ore is one of the most common resources in the Nether. It generates throughout the dimension, often in large quantities, and can be mined with any pickaxe. When mined, it drops nether quartz and experience. Nether quartz is primarily used for crafting redstone components like comparators and observers, as well as decorative quartz blocks.
2. Nether Gold
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=16 | Y=13 to Y=17 | Wooden pickaxe or better |
Nether gold ore appears in veins across the Nether and can be mined with any pickaxe. When mined without Silk Touch, it drops gold nuggets, which can be crafted into ingots. Smelting the ore also produces gold ingots. Nether gold is especially useful for early trading with piglins or crafting golden items.
3. Ancient Debris
Ancient debris is the rarest ore in the Nether and generates in small veins, most commonly between Y=8 and Y=22. It requires a diamond or netherite pickaxe to mine. Smelting ancient debris produces netherite scrap, which is then combined with gold ingots to create netherite. Netherite upgrades diamond equipment, making it the strongest tier of tools, armor, and weapons in the game.
| Block | Best Y-Level(s) | Y-Level Range | Pickaxe Required |
 |
Y=-59 | Y=-64 to Y=16 | Diamond pickaxe or better |