Minecraft 1.18 radically changed how the Overworld generates, including ore distribution. Ores are essential to Minecraft, providing players with resources for crafting weapons, armor, tools, and other valuable items. Finding ore is the core of Minecraft, and I spent hours drilling through endless levels looking for them. Truly, ores put the "mine" in Minecraft, but I frequently found myself asking if there are certain levels where they generate the most. If you have the same question as I did, this guide has all the answers.
Best levels to farm Ores in Minecraft 1.18
With the max and minimum height of worlds being altered in Minecraft 1.18, the levels that ores generate more commonly have changed. The Caves and Cliffs Part 2 update brings further changes, with ores now generating in veins and blobs in varying frequencies depending on the height range. Additionally, some ores generate only in specific biomes, making them harder to find. The list below will help you determine where best to farm for all the ores and at what level.
Related: How to Get Blocks of Raw Iron, Gold, and Copper in Minecraft
| Ore Type | Biomes | Generation Type | Generation Range | Optimal Mining Height |
| Coal | All | Blob | Y 0 to Y 320 | Y 96 |
| Copper | All | Vein or Blob | Y 0 to Y 320 | Y 48 |
| Diamond | All | Blob | Y -64 to Y 16 | More frequent the deeper you are |
| Emerald | Mountains Only | Blob | Y -16 to Y 320 | Near mountain tops, peaks at Y 256 |
| Gold | All | Vein or Blob | Y 0 to 320 | -16, but incredibly common in Badlands Biome |
| Iron | All | Vein or Blob | Y 0 to Y 320 | Y 225, Y 16, and Y -32 to Y -60 |
| Lapis Lazuli | All | Blob | Y -64 to Y 64 | Y -32 to Y 32 |
| Redstone | All | Blob | Y -64 to Y 15 | Y -32 |
Important notes
- Lapis Lazuli will never generate if exposed to air following the 1.18 update. This change makes it much harder to find, just like Ancient Debris.
- Copper Ore and Iron Ore will now generate in Veins. These large deposits will mix the ore with a Filler Material: Tuff for Iron or Granite for Copper.
- Emeralds generate more the higher in the mountains you are. This explains how those villagers can get so many without having to mine!
- The Gold that generates in Badlands has increased. Badlands are now the most accessible place to get Gold outside of The Nether.
Searching for those Emeralds? Check out All mountain biomes in Minecraft 1.18 Caves and Cliffs Part 2 for more info on Pro Game Guides.
Luka Rakocevic works as a full-time staff writer at Pro Game Guides and is a new-generation gamer. Backed with old-school gaming knowledge, his oldest gaming memories are on SNES, trying to beat Super Mario. Games are his big inspiration, and he frequently draws from that well to create new art. He prefers narrative-driven games like God of War, Killzone, Half-life, Uncharted and similar.
Luka mainly writes science fiction in his free time. When he's not home banging away at his computer keyboard, you will most likely find him at a local pub or a metal concert in the middle of a mosh pit.
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Best Level to find every ore in Minecraft 1.18 – All Minecraft Ore Generation Levels
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