The new best levels to mine diamonds in Minecraft 1.18 are between -54 and -59 since the Caves and Cliffs Update changed the y-levels where diamonds generate. Read on to learn more about diamond levels and the best way to mine for them.

Best 1.18 Diamond Level

Between Y-Levels -54 and -59

The recommended levels to mine Diamonds are between y-levels -54 and -59. Diamond Ore blocks appear at y-levels 14 down to -63 with most generating at y-level 63. However, since this area is surrounded by Bedrock, it is best to go up slightly higher to get diamonds.

1.18 Ore Distribution and Comparison

Best Way to Mine Diamonds

Look for Diamond Ore blocks

Diamonds can be obtained by mining Diamond or Deepslate Diamond Ore blocks using an Iron Pickaxe or better. Look for blocks with cyan spots and hit it with your pickaxe until it is destroyed.

Use an Iron Pickaxe or better

The only pickaxes that can mine Diamonds are Iron, Diamond, and Netherite Pickaxe. Mining Diamond Ore blcoks using a Wooden, Stone, or Golden Pickaxe will destroy the block but will not yield Diamonds.

Enchant your Pickaxe

For best results, it is recommended that you enchant your pickaxes to improve mining efficiency.

The Unbreaking and Efficiency Enchantments are best for the pickaxes that you'll use for digging tunnels, while Looting and Mending are important for the pickaxe that you'll use for mining Diamond Ores.

Make sure to get the highest level for each Enchantment for maximum yield!

Consider Strip Mining

Once you're within the recommended Diamond mining levels, you can start setting up an "underground base" and create tunnels for Strip Mining (or Branch Mining). We recommend tunnels to be 2x1 strips and three blocks apart so you can easily check most surrounding blocks within the strip for rare ores like Diamonds.

The strips when viewed from above should look like this

Minecraft Related Guides

All Tips and Tricks

All Tips and Tricks Guides

Gameplay Tips and Tricks
1.18 Ore Distribution	1.18 Diamond Level
Villager Trades and Jobs	How to Join and Create Realms
Walkthrough and Progression Guide	List of All Commands
How to Show Mob Hitboxes	Best Enchantments
How to Use Texture Packs	What is Simulation Distance?
Beginner's Guide	How to Get to the Far Lands
How to Update Old Worlds	How to Update to Newer Versions