How to farm netherite

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: Netherite is an extremely rare and valuable material found only in the Nether dimension of Minecraft. To obtain it, players must mine Ancient Debris, which is most commonly found between Y-levels 8 and 22, and then smelt it into Netherite Scrap. Combining four Netherite Scraps with four Gold Ingots in a crafting table yields one Netherite Ingot.

Key Facts

Ancient Debris is most common between Y-levels 8 and 22 in the Nether.
Ancient Debris can only be mined with a Diamond Pickaxe or better.
Smelting Ancient Debris yields Netherite Scrap.
Netherite Ingots are crafted using 4 Netherite Scrap and 4 Gold Ingots.
Netherite items are immune to fire and lava damage.

What is Netherite?

Netherite is the rarest and most powerful material in Minecraft, introduced in the Nether Update (1.16). It is primarily used to upgrade Diamond gear, making it stronger, more durable, and granting it special properties. Unlike other materials, Netherite items do not burn in lava or fire, making them invaluable for exploration and combat in hazardous environments.

Where to Find Ancient Debris

The raw material for Netherite is called Ancient Debris. This block can only be found in the Nether dimension, spawning naturally within its biomes. It's crucial to understand that Ancient Debris does not generate exposed to air; it always spawns surrounded by other Nether blocks. This means you'll need to mine through the Nether's terrain to find it.

The most efficient Y-levels for finding Ancient Debris are generally between Y=8 and Y=22. While it can spawn at lower and higher levels, the concentration is significantly higher within this band. Many players find success by mining at Y=15, as it offers a good balance between encountering Ancient Debris and avoiding excessive lava lakes, which are prevalent at lower altitudes.

Mining Ancient Debris

Ancient Debris has a high blast resistance, meaning it cannot be destroyed by TNT or End Crystals. The only effective way to mine it is with a Diamond Pickaxe or a Netherite Pickaxe. Any pickaxe of lower tier will simply break the block without dropping anything.

Due to its rarity and the need to mine through blocks, strip mining or branch mining are effective strategies. However, a popular and often faster method involves using TNT. Because Ancient Debris is blast-resistant, it will survive TNT explosions while most other Nether blocks will be destroyed, exposing the Ancient Debris.

To use the TNT method effectively:

Find a suitable mining level (e.g., Y=15).
Dig a long tunnel, at least 2 blocks high.
Place TNT at regular intervals (e.g., every 4-5 blocks) along the tunnel.
Detonate the TNT. Be cautious of surrounding lava and hostile mobs.
Carefully mine any exposed Ancient Debris.

Alternatively, beds can be used for explosive mining in the Nether. Beds explode when used in the Nether or End dimensions, and like TNT, they destroy surrounding blocks while leaving Ancient Debris intact. This method can be more dangerous but also efficient.

Processing Ancient Debris

Once you have collected Ancient Debris, you cannot craft Netherite Ingots directly. You must first smelt the Ancient Debris in a furnace or blast furnace. Each block of Ancient Debris will smelt into one Netherite Scrap.

Crafting Netherite Ingots

To create a Netherite Ingot, you will need four Netherite Scraps and four Gold Ingots. Place these items in any arrangement within a crafting table. The recipe is as follows:

4 Netherite Scraps
4 Gold Ingots

This will produce one Netherite Ingot.

Upgrading Diamond Gear to Netherite

Netherite Ingots are primarily used at a Smithing Table. You can upgrade any piece of Diamond armor, tools, or weapons to its Netherite equivalent by placing the Diamond item and one Netherite Ingot into the Smithing Table's UI. The resulting Netherite item will retain any enchantments, durability, and custom names from the original Diamond item.

The benefits of Netherite gear include:

Increased durability compared to Diamond.
Higher attack damage for swords and axes.
Increased knockback resistance.
Immunity to fire and lava damage (items dropped will float on lava).

Tips for Netherite Farming

Bring plenty of food and healing items.
Enchant your pickaxe with Efficiency V and Unbreaking III for faster mining and durability.
Consider bringing beds or TNT for explosive mining.
Be aware of your surroundings; the Nether is a dangerous place filled with lava, hostile mobs, and potential for falling into the void.
Bring a shield to defend against attacks.
Carry a Water Bucket (or Lava Bucket) for quick lava management, though Netherite items themselves are fireproof.
Mine in single-player worlds or on servers where you can control the environment to minimize risks.

Farming Netherite is a challenging but rewarding endeavor in Minecraft, requiring careful preparation, strategic mining, and a bit of luck.