How to Make and Use a Beacon in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Craft a beacon with 1 nether star, 5 glass and 3 obsidian, place it on a pyramid of 9 to 164 iron, gold, diamond, emerald or netherite blocks (1-4 layers), and feed it an ingot or gem to pick a power like Speed, Haste or Regeneration.

What you need

1 nether star (Wither drop)
5 glass + 3 obsidian
164 mineral blocks for a max pyramid (iron recommended)
1 ingot/gem to activate

Step by step

Kill the Wither for its nether star (see our Wither guide).
Craft the beacon: nether star in the center, 3 obsidian along the bottom row, glass filling the rest.
Mine or smelt the pyramid material: iron is the practical choice (a full 4-layer pyramid costs 164 blocks = 1,476 ingots - an iron farm makes this painless). Emerald, gold, diamond and netherite blocks work identically and can be mixed.
Build the pyramid on flat ground with clear sky above: layer 1 is 3x3, layer 2 is 5x5, layer 3 is 7x7, layer 4 is 9x9, beacon on top. No transparent blocks (except the beacon itself) can sit above it.
Open the beacon UI and insert one iron ingot, gold ingot, emerald, diamond or netherite ingot. Choose a primary power: Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost or Strength (more layers unlock more options).
With all 4 layers, also pick a secondary power: Regeneration, or boost the primary to level II.
The beam needs sky access and gives effects in a radius: 20 blocks for 1 layer up to 50 blocks for 4 layers. Effects last ~17 seconds after leaving the radius.
Stained glass above the beam colors it - stack colors to blend.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical in Java and Bedrock: same recipe, pyramid sizes, powers and radius. In Bedrock the beam activates a bit faster and beacon effects apply up to 4 blocks below the pyramid as well.

Versions: Beacons were added in 1.4.2. Netherite blocks became valid pyramid material in 1.16. Current as of 26.3.

Frequently asked questions

How many blocks do you need for a full beacon?

164 blocks for a 4-layer pyramid (9x9 + 7x7 + 5x5 + 3x3). In iron that is 1,476 ingots - farm iron before attempting it.

Do different pyramid materials give better effects?

No. Iron, gold, diamond, emerald and netherite blocks all work identically, and you can mix them in one pyramid.

Why is my beacon not working?

It needs a clear view of the sky: no solid or transparent blocks (other than the beacon) above it. Check the pyramid is complete and you fed it an ingot or gem.