1.18 Ore Distribution and Comparison

The 1.18: Caves and Cliffs Update has introduced large changes in Ore Distribution in Minecraft's Overworld. Read on to learn the new Ore Distributions in Minecraft 1.18, how they compare to previous versions, as well as the best y-levels to mine ores like iron, gold, and diamond!

Update 1.18 Ore Distribution

Ore	Highest Y Level Generated	Lowest Y Level Generated
Coal Ore	320	0
Copper Ore	112	-16
Iron Ore	320	-63
Gold Ore	32	-63
Lapis Lazuli Ore	64	-63
Redstone Ore	15	-63
Diamond Ore	14	-63
Emerald Ore *	320	-16

*Emerald Ore may only be found in Mountain Biomes.

Source:
Minecraft Developer Henrik Kniberg's Tweet

Best Y Levels for Strip Mining in 1.18

If you're looking for a specific ore to mine, such as iron, gold, or diamond, you would want to consider Strip Mining (or Branch Mining) on the level where they are most frequently found.

You can check your coordinates by pressing F3 (for the Java Edition) or typing /gamerule showcoordinates true (for the Bedrock Edition).

Ore	Best Y Levels for Strip Mining
Coal Ore	96 256 to 140
Copper Ore	48
Iron Ore	16 232
Gold Ore	-16*
Lapis Lazuli Ore	0
Redstone Ore	-54 to -59
Diamond Ore	-54 to -59
Emerald Ore *	232

*Gold Ore appears more frequently between y-levels 256 and 32 in Badlands.

How to Strip Mine Efficiently

Strip Mining, also sometimes known as Branch Mining, is a mining technique that aims to expose as many blocks as possible in a short amount of time, with the least amount of actual mining. Effective Strip Mining can be used to easily acquire valuable ores such as Diamonds.

Best Way to Mine Diamonds

Set up an Underground Base

After digging down to the desired y-level, it can be a good idea to prepare an underground base. Setting up several Chests will allow you to organize your inventory better as you dig out large amounts of blocks and ores.

Setting up Furnaces Lets You Smelt Iron While You Mine

In addition to preparing an area for chests, it can also be a good idea to set up furnaces. This will give you a chance to smelt iron ores into iron ingots while you are strip mining!

Dig 2x1 Strips 3 Blocks Apart

After creating an underground base, we recommend mining 2x1 strips, three blocks apart. This allows you to create passageways where you can see most surrounding blocks within the strip.

The strips when viewed from above should look like this

While mining the strips three blocks apart will make you miss a section, the difference between mining two blocks apart does not offer a large difference between the yield.

Enchanted Tools Improve Efficiency

Use Enchantmented Tools When Possible

Enchanted Tools will greatly improve your mining experience. We recommend having Unbreaking/Efficiency Pickaxes to mine most of the stone in the way, while using Fortune Pickaxes to mine out ores for maximum yield!

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