Netherite spawns only in the Nether, between Y-level −64 and 21, and you must use a diamond or better pickaxe to collect it

Netherite ore does not appear on the surface or in the Overworld. You find it exclusively in the Nether dimension, the dark red underworld you reach through a Nether portal made of obsidian blocks. The ore itself looks like a dark block with gold-colored specks and sits embedded in netherrack (the red stone that makes up most of the Nether). You cannot break it with a wooden, stone, or iron pickaxe — it will not drop anything. You must use a diamond pickaxe or a netherite pickaxe to mine it successfully.

Finding netherite takes patience because the ore is rare and scattered. Unlike diamonds, which you can find in large veins, netherite ore appears as single blocks or small clusters. The deeper you go in the Nether, the more likely you are to find it, but even at the best depths you will spend time searching.

Key Takeaways

  • Netherite ore only spawns in the Nether between Y-level −64 and 21, with the highest concentration around Y-level −16.
  • You need a diamond pickaxe or better to mine netherite ore; iron pickaxes and weaker tools will not work.
  • Strip mining or branch mining in the Nether is the fastest way to find netherite because the ore is scattered as single blocks rather than large veins.
  • Netherite ore drops netherite scrap, which you must smelt in a furnace and combine with gold ingots at a smithing table to create netherite ingots.

The best Y-level for finding netherite ore

Netherite spawns between Y-level −64 and 21, but it concentrates most heavily around Y-level −16. This is the single best depth to search. You can check your current Y-level by opening the debug screen (F3 on Java Edition, or checking your coordinates in the pause menu on Bedrock Edition). Once you know your Y-level, dig down or up until you reach −16.

The range from Y-level −32 to 0 is also productive if you want to search a wider area without going to the absolute bottom. Avoid searching above Y-level 0 because netherite becomes extremely rare there, and avoid going below −64 because you will hit the bedrock floor and waste time.

Strip mining and branch mining for netherite

The fastest way to find netherite is strip mining or branch mining. Both methods involve digging long tunnels at your target Y-level and creating side passages to expose as much stone as possible. Strip mining means digging a straight tunnel and removing all blocks on either side. Branch mining means digging a main tunnel and creating smaller tunnels that branch off from it, like a tree.

Branch mining is usually faster because you cover more ground with less digging. Dig your main tunnel in a straight line, then every few blocks dig a side tunnel perpendicular to it, three blocks wide and tall enough to walk through. Space the side tunnels about three blocks apart so you can see all the ore between them. This method exposes netherite ore reliably because you cannot miss a block that is within three blocks of your tunnel.

Bring a diamond pickaxe, a furnace, fuel (coal or wood), and food. You will also need a crafting table or access to one nearby so you can make new tools if your pickaxe breaks. Netherite ore is slow to mine even with a diamond pickaxe, so bring multiple pickaxes or be prepared to repair one.

What happens when you mine netherite ore

When you break netherite ore with a diamond pickaxe, it drops netherite scrap, not a netherite ingot. One ore block gives you one scrap. You cannot use netherite scrap directly in crafting — you must first smelt it in a furnace to turn it into a usable form, then combine it with gold.

Collect your netherite scrap and bring it to a furnace along with fuel. Smelt the scrap just as you would smelt iron ore. Each scrap takes about 10 seconds to smelt. Once smelted, you will have netherite in a form you can use, but you still cannot craft with it yet. You need to take your smelted netherite and four gold ingots to a smithing table to create one netherite ingot.

Using a smithing table to create netherite ingots

A smithing table is a crafting station that only works for upgrading diamond tools and armor to netherite. You can find smithing tables in village armorer shops, or you can craft one yourself using two iron ingots and four wooden planks arranged in a specific pattern. Place the smithing table on the ground and interact with it.

Put one smelted netherite in the left slot, four gold ingots in the right slot, and the smithing table will produce one netherite ingot in the output slot. This is the only way to create netherite ingots — you cannot craft them in a regular crafting table. Once you have netherite ingots, you can use them to craft netherite tools and weapons, or upgrade your diamond tools by placing them in a smithing table with a netherite ingot.

Preparing for the Nether before you search

Before you start mining for netherite, make sure you have a diamond pickaxe and basic supplies. You should have already found diamonds and crafted a pickaxe in the Overworld. If you do not have a diamond pickaxe yet, focus on finding diamonds first — they are much more common than netherite and you cannot progress without them.

Bring armor, a sword, and food because the Nether is dangerous. Ghasts, blazes, and wither skeletons will attack you. Build a small shelter or bring blocks so you can create a safe space to rest. Bring a water bucket because fire spreads quickly in the Nether and water is rare. Finally, bring a bed or know the way back to your Nether portal so you do not get lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find netherite with an iron pickaxe?

No. An iron pickaxe will break the ore block but will not drop anything. You must use a diamond pickaxe or a netherite pickaxe to collect the ore.

What is the fastest way to mine netherite?

Branch mining at Y-level −16 is the fastest method. Dig a main tunnel and create side tunnels every three blocks. This exposes the most ore in the least time and prevents you from missing any blocks.

Do I need gold ingots to use netherite?

Yes. You need four gold ingots and one smelted netherite to create one netherite ingot at a smithing table. You cannot skip this step or use a different material.

Can I find netherite in the Overworld?

No. Netherite ore only spawns in the Nether. If you want netherite tools or armor, you must travel to the Nether and mine it there.

What do I do if my pickaxe breaks while mining netherite?

Bring a second diamond pickaxe or the materials to craft one. You can also repair a pickaxe at a grindstone or anvil if you have the resources. Without a working diamond pickaxe, you cannot collect the ore.