Best Y Level for Netherite
The best Y level for ancient debris (the source of Netherite) is Y = 15 in the Nether. It's never exposed to air and is blast-resistant, so most players mine it with beds or TNT.
Ancient Debris at a glance
- Best level to mine
- Y = 15 (in the Nether)
- Generation range
- Y = 8 to Y = 119
- Dimension
- Nether
- Distribution
- Most common around Y=15, with a thinner even spread across the rest of the Nether.
- Pickaxe needed
Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe- Drops
- 1 ancient debris per ore. Fortune does NOT increase it.
- Fortune works?
- No
Generates throughout the Nether in any biome, always fully surrounded by rock (never exposed to air).
How to mine netherite fast
- •At Y=15, dig a long straight tunnel and detonate beds in the dead-ends — ancient debris survives the blast, weaker Netherrack doesn't.
- •It requires a Diamond pickaxe to mine; Fortune has no effect, so use Unbreaking/Mending instead.
- •Ancient debris is blast-resistant and floats in lava — bed/TNT mining at Y=15 is far faster than hand-tunnelling.
FAQ
What is the best Y level for netherite in Minecraft?
The best Y level for ancient debris (the source of Netherite) is Y = 15 in the Nether. It's never exposed to air and is blast-resistant, so most players mine it with beds or TNT.
What level does ancient debris spawn at?
Ancient Debris generates between Y=8 and Y=119 in the Nether. Most common around Y=15, with a thinner even spread across the rest of the Nether.
What pickaxe do you need to mine ancient debris?
You need a Diamond or Netherite Pickaxe to mine Ancient Debris and collect its drop. Mining it with a weaker tool destroys the block and drops nothing. It yields 1 ancient debris per ore. Fortune does NOT increase it.
Diamonds
Iron
Coal
Copper
Gold
Redstone
Lapis Lazuli
Emeralds
Nether Quartz
Gold Nuggets