How to Use a Beacon

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Place the beacon on a mineral block pyramid, open its GUI and insert an iron, gold, emerald, diamond or netherite ingot/gem to choose a power. Level 1 pyramids give Speed or Haste, level 2 adds Resistance and Jump Boost, level 3 adds Strength, and level 4 lets you pick Regeneration as a second power or boost the main one to level II.

What you need

Activated beacon on a pyramid
Iron/gold/emerald/diamond/netherite to select powers
164 mineral blocks for a max pyramid

Step by step

Build the right pyramid size. Powers unlock by level: 1 layer (3x3) for basic powers, up to 4 layers (9x9 base, 164 blocks) for everything. The block type doesn't matter - mix iron, gold, emerald, diamond and netherite freely.
Open the beacon GUI. Right-click the beacon and place one iron ingot, gold ingot, emerald, diamond or netherite ingot in the slot.
Pick your primary power. Level 1: Speed or Haste. Level 2: Resistance or Jump Boost. Level 3: Strength. Click the effect and confirm with the green checkmark - the ingot is consumed.
Add the level 4 bonus. With a maxed pyramid, the secondary slot activates: choose Regeneration as a second constant effect, or upgrade your primary power to level II (e.g. Haste II).
Stay in range. Effects apply within a radius around the beacon: 20 blocks at level 1, 30 at level 2, 40 at level 3 and 50 at level 4 (101x101 blocks), plus the full height of the world upward.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical in Java and Bedrock. Effects last while you are in range and linger about 10-17 seconds after leaving. In Bedrock the beam renders from farther away; effect ranges are the same.

Versions: Beacon powers have been stable since 1.4.2 (2012): five primary effects plus Regeneration as secondary. The 1.5 update increased the effect range from 16/24/32/40 to 20/30/40/50 blocks.

Frequently asked questions

Which power should I pick?

Haste II (max pyramid) for mining and digging, Speed II for travel hubs, Resistance + Regeneration for a base safe zone. Strength helps at wither/raid arenas.

Can I have all six powers at once?

One beacon gives one primary + the level 4 secondary. Build six beacons on a shared pyramid to run every power simultaneously - a classic megabase project.

Do powers work underground?

Yes - range is a box around the beacon extending down to the world bottom and up to the build limit, as long as the beacon has sky access.