How to Find Iron in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Iron ore generates everywhere from Y=-64 to Y=384. Underground it peaks around Y=16, and in mountains it peaks around Y=232. Mine it with a stone pickaxe or better and smelt the raw iron in a furnace.

What you need

Stone pickaxe or better
Furnace and fuel (blast furnace optional)

Step by step

Know the generation: iron ore generates in three batches. A mountain batch (90 attempts per chunk) from Y=80 to Y=384 peaking around Y=232; an underground batch (10 attempts per chunk) from Y=-24 to Y=56 peaking around Y=16; and a small batch of blobs of 0-5 spread evenly from Y=-64 to Y=72.
Easiest early method: explore caves around Y=16, where the underground batch is most common.
Mountain method: climb a tall mountain and look for iron around Y=232.
Use a stone pickaxe or better. Fortune I, II and III drop 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 raw iron instead of 1.
Smelt raw iron in a furnace to get iron ingots.
Iron ore that replaces tuff or deepslate becomes deepslate iron ore (hardness 4.5, against 3 for iron ore).
Look for large ore veins in the deepslate layer: they consist of iron ore, blocks of raw iron and tuff.

Java vs Bedrock

In Java Edition the mountain and underground batches generate blobs of 0-13 ores; in Bedrock Edition blobs are 0-16.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note above for differences.

Frequently asked questions

What Y level is best for iron in Minecraft?

Around Y=16 underground or around Y=232 in mountains. Both are the peaks of their generation batches.

Why won't my iron ore drop anything?

You need a stone pickaxe or better. With a weaker tool the block breaks without dropping raw iron.

What is the difference between iron ore and raw iron?

Iron ore drops raw iron, which you smelt into ingots. Silk Touch drops the ore block itself.

How much does Fortune give?

Fortune I, II and III drop 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 raw iron.