Best Y level for iron
In Minecraft Java 26.3: The best Y level for iron is Y 14 (about as good from Y 4 to 22). Iron Ore can generate anywhere from Y -64 to 319. At the best height you find about 1.2 iron ore blocks per chunk. Mountains has more of it.
Minecraft Java 26.3. Choose another version in the finder below.
| Where | Best Y | Good from | Can generate | Per chunk at best Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most biomes | 14 | 4 to 22 | -64 to 319 | 1.2 blocks |
Ore Y-Level Finder
The best Y level for every ore, and how much of it you find at each height, counted in real worlds generated by the game. Pick an ore, where you are mining and your version. Java Edition 1.16.2 to 26.3.
Iron by height
Hover or tap the chart, or type a Y level, to read one height.
The game's rules for iron (3 placements)
| Placement | Tries per chunk | Height | Vein size | Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ore_iron_middle | 10 | peaks at Y 16, anywhere from Y -24 to 56 | 9 | ignores air |
ore_iron_small | 10 | evenly from Y -64 to 72 | 4 | ignores air |
ore_iron_upper | 90 | peaks at Y 232, anywhere from Y 80 to 319 | 9 | ignores air |
The rules decide where the game tries; the chart counts what is really there. At its best height a real world holds about 1.2 blocks per chunk.
How to use the Ore Y-Level Finder
The chart shows how much iron ore a real world holds at every Y level, for the version picked at the top of the page. Change the ore or the place to compare.
Quick steps
- 1Pick your version at the top of the page
- 2Choose where you're mining: some places have their own ore rules
- 3Hover or tap the chart, or type a Y level, to read one height
Example use cases
- Choosing the height for a branch mine
- Checking a new version before you dig