You probably want to know what Y level is best for your iron ore. The higher the Y, the more iron you will generate. A good rule of thumb is Y=80 or higher. But Y=24 or 56 is fine, too. It just depends on what your goals are. Is it to increase iron generation or to reduce cost? We will discuss these and other factors below.
Table of Contents
Y=80
Y=80 is the best grade for iron ore. This type of iron ore has low levels of deleterious elements and gangue materials. At this level, it generates about 50% of the total iron content. Iron ores with higher Y values produce higher yields and are better for the environment. The table below lists some important characteristics to look for in iron ores. Y=80 is considered the best grade for iron ore.
Iron ore is found between Y=80 and Y=256. It will be less common in the ground, but it can still be found. At Y=72, the iron ore should start appearing, followed by Y=-64. It will be harder to find iron ore at Y=-80, but the larger spawn chunk will start at Y=56 and reach a peak at Y=16. The Mojang developers also released an updated version of the official ore distribution map. Previously, the ore distribution map was solid light gray, and the chances of iron spawn were equal, but the new map has a lot of potential as the mountains rise.
Y=256
Among the most important resources you can find in survival Minecraft is iron. In the version 1.18 update, you can find iron at Y=-32 and Y=256. If you’re looking for the highest level for iron ore, then Y=256 is your best bet. You can also find exposed iron ore on mountain tops. This new level has the highest amount of iron and is the best choice for mining.
The optimal location for generating ore depends on the terrain you’re on. Ores can only generate if they’re surrounded by terrain. Below y=-63, you can’t generate any ore. In addition, if you’re above Y=256, you won’t be able to generate any ores. This is because there aren’t enough areas on the horizon for ore to generate.
Y=24
Iron ore spawns best in mountain areas. Generally, you’ll find the most iron ore at Y=24 and above. Some of the higher mountains will even yield iron up to Y=232. Regardless of your starting point, Y=24 is a prime location to hunt for iron ore. However, you should know that the RNG varies for each world.
In order to find the best ore, you must know the correct enchantment for your pickaxe. Silk Touch is the most effective enchantment for mining. When you don’t have Silk Touch, you will get raw iron. Fortune I, II, and III pickaxes also affect iron ore mining. The Fortune I, II, and III pickaxes drop 1-2 raw iron from ore when they’re not enchanted.
The process of metallurgical processing is a very complex one. High-grade iron ores are exposed directly to the metallurgical processing process, while low-grade ore is subject to beneficiation processes such as flotation and gravitational separation. The key to high-quality concentrates is to achieve maximum liberation of valuable minerals and to be as accurate as possible with separating features. Therefore, Y=24 is the best mining height for iron ore.
Y=56
The new official ore distribution map was recently released by Mojang. Unlike the old one, where ore was distributed in blocks of solid light gray and with equal chances of iron spawning, the new one contains huge potential as mountains rise. Iron ore can now be found at various Y values, but it is best to mine it at Y=56 or higher. You can find iron ore in all biomes, including mountain tops, but it is most common in biomes with higher Y values.
The new ore distribution chart is easy to understand. Almost all ores spawn equally. The exceptions are lapis and copper, which grow less common the higher they spawn from the Y level. So, if you’re looking for the best ore distribution chart, Y=56 is probably the best choice. Copper, on the other hand, spawns at Y=48.
