How to Get Netherite in Minecraft
Mine ancient debris in the Nether at Y level 16 with a diamond or netherite pickaxe, smelt it into netherite scrap, then combine four scrap and four gold ingots to make a netherite ingot.
To get netherite in Minecraft, mine ancient debris in the Nether around Y level 16, the level with the most ancient debris on average, within the Y 8 to 24 Java and Y 8 to 23 Bedrock generation band. Use a diamond or netherite pickaxe, smelt ancient debris into netherite scrap, craft 4 scrap and 4 gold ingots into 1 netherite ingot, then use the ingot on a smithing table to upgrade diamond gear to netherite.
Where to mine ancient debris
| Depth (Y level) | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Y 16 | Most ancient debris on average |
| Y 8 to 24 Java | Clusters generate |
| Y 8 to 23 Bedrock | Clusters generate |
| Y 8 to 119 | Rare additional scattered clusters |
Ancient debris is never naturally exposed to air, so dig through netherrack rather than scan cave walls.
The right pickaxe
- A diamond or netherite pickaxe drops ancient debris.
- Any other tool drops nothing.
- Smelting ancient debris in a furnace or blast furnace produces netherite scrap and grants 2 experience when you take the scrap out.
- In item form, ancient debris floats on lava and is immune to fire, so you can collect it without losing it to nearby lava.
How to get netherite step by step
- Dig down to Y level 16 in the Nether.
- Mine any ancient debris you find with a diamond or netherite pickaxe.
- Smelt the ancient debris in a furnace or blast furnace into netherite scrap.
- Craft 4 netherite scrap and 4 gold ingots together into 1 netherite ingot. This is a shapeless recipe.
- Use the ingot on a smithing table to upgrade diamond gear to netherite. A full set of all netherite tools and armor costs 10 netherite ingots.
Where it goes wrong
- Using a stone, iron, or gold pickaxe. Ancient debris drops nothing from any tool other than diamond or netherite.
- Scanning exposed cave walls. Ancient debris is never naturally exposed to air, so it will not appear on open cave surfaces.
- Expecting cluster generation above the Y 8 to 24 band on Java or Y 8 to 23 on Bedrock. Rare scattered clusters can appear up to Y 119, but the normal cluster band is much lower.
- Confusing netherite scrap with the netherite ingot. Scrap must be smelted first, then combined with 4 gold ingots.
- Do not confuse this process with how you find diamonds in Minecraft. Ancient debris is a Nether ore and does not appear in exposed air blocks.
FAQ
Should I mine at Y 15 or Y 16 for ancient debris?
Y 16 has the most ancient debris on average, so it is the best target. Y 15 is close and still within the usual cluster band, but Y 16 is the level with the highest average.
Can I get ancient debris from bastion remnant chests?
Yes. Ancient debris can also be found in bastion remnant chests as a single item or a stack of two.
How many netherite ingots do I need for a full set?
A full set of all netherite tools and armor costs 10 netherite ingots.
