Best Y-Level for Diamonds & Other Ores in 2026

Welcome to the ultimate guide for every Minecraft miner. Finding valuable ores is the key to progress, but with the massive world changes from the "Caves & Cliffs" update, the old rules no longer apply. The world is deeper, the caves are bigger, and ores are spread out in new and interesting ways.

Forget everything you thought you knew about Y-levels. This 2026 guide provides the most up-to-date information on where to find every important ore, from common coal to the legendary diamond. Let's get digging!

The Big One: Diamonds (Y = -58)

Let's start with what everyone wants. Diamonds are most abundant between Y=-50 and Y=-64. The absolute sweet spot for finding them is Y = -58. At this level, you're deep enough to find the highest concentrations while staying just above the lava lakes that often fill the bottom of the world at Y=-64.

The Ultimate Ore-Finding Guide

Here is the definitive breakdown for every other major ore in the Overworld and the Nether.

Efficient Mining Strategies

Now that you know where to dig, let's talk about how to dig.

• Strip Mining: The classic method. Dig down to your target Y-level, create a main tunnel (2 blocks high, 1 block wide), and then dig straight branches off it every 2-3 blocks. This exposes the maximum number of blocks for the least amount of digging. Perfect for finding diamonds.
• Cave Exploration: Exploring the new massive cave systems is the best way to find ores that are common when exposed to air, like Iron and Copper. You'll cover more ground and find huge, exposed veins.
• Bed Mining (Nether): In the Nether, beds explode when you try to sleep in them. This is the most effective way to clear out large areas of Netherrack to search for Ancient Debris. Just make sure to stand back!