How to use the Ancient Debris Finder
Ancient debris is the only source of netherite, and it hides deep in the Nether in tiny clusters of one to three blocks. The Ancient Debris Finder computes both debris batches the game places in every Nether chunk and shows each block's exact X, Y and Z, so you can tunnel straight to it instead of blowing up the whole layer.
- Enter your seed and pick your Java version (1.16 or later); the map opens in the Nether with ancient debris selected.
- Zoom in until blocks are at least a pixel wide: every debris cluster appears with its block count, and its exact coordinates on hover.
- Use the Y range to keep only the debris near Y 15 (the large batch) or include the small batch spread from Y 8 to 119.
- Open “Nearest deposits” to list the closest debris to your Nether portal, then copy the coordinates or a /tp command.
Where ancient debris generates
Every Nether chunk gets two debris attempts. The large one places up to 3 blocks around a height picked from a triangle between Y 8 and 24 (most likely Y 16), and the small one up to 2 blocks anywhere from Y 8 to 119. Each attempt can also place nothing, which is why debris feels so rare.
Since 1.18 debris never touches air: any block that would be next to an air block is dropped. Lava does not count as air, so debris can sit right next to the lava ocean, but never in a cave wall you can see.
Mining strategy
Strip mine at Y 15 with beds or TNT, or tunnel directly to the coordinates the finder gives you. Bring fire resistance: debris often borders lava. Four debris smelt into four netherite scraps, and four scraps plus four gold ingots make one netherite ingot.
Editions and versions
| Dimension | Nether |
|---|---|
| Java Edition | 1.16 – 26.3, exact block positions (terrain and noise caves modelled) |
| Bedrock Edition | Java only: Bedrock decorates chunks with a different random generator, so nothing is shown rather than wrong ores |
Questions
What is the best Y level for ancient debris?
Y 15: the large batch peaks at Y 16 and spreads from Y 8 to 24, and Y 15 keeps you above the lava ocean (Y 31 and below is lava in open space).
Is the debris finder accurate?
It replays the game's two debris features for your seed and drops blocks that would touch air in the terrain model. Compared block by block with Nether worlds generated by the official Java server, it found every ancient debris block, and about 98% of the blocks it shows were really there.
Does it work on Bedrock Edition?
No. Bedrock places ores with a different random generator, so the finder is Java Edition only.
Can I see nether gold and quartz?
Yes, turn on Nether gold or Nether quartz in the ore list; basalt deltas get their own, denser batches.
Updated · data for Minecraft Java up to 26.3