Minecraft Beacon Calculator

A full level-4 beacon needs 164 mineral blocks (81 + 49 + 25 + 9). Levels 1, 2 and 3 need 9, 34 and 83.

164Mineral blocks

2 stacks + 36Blocks in stacks

1,476 iron ingotsIf crafting full base

50 blocksEffect radius

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Java range estimate. This is not an edition-specific coverage map.

Layer 1 of 4 — 9×9, 81 blocks

Top view · each square is one mineral base block. All cells are filled.

Layer 1 of 4

Show the finished pyramid

The 3D view loads when it comes into view. Each layer is also drawn in 2D.

Pyramid

Level

Beacons on top

Different arrangement?

West–east

North–south

Beacons stand side by side on one shared base, from 1 up to 5 in each direction.

Material

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Mineral type does not change the powers. This selection estimates crafting the entire base from one material, at 9 raw items per block.

Will the range cover your area?

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Place several beacons so their horizontal squares cover a circle or rectangular area. The pyramid level above sets the reach.

Optional. Enter the north-west block of the area, or leave both blank for positions relative to that corner.

Work area shape

Diameter

These positions are separate beacon sites. Their beacon blocks and bases are not included in the materials above. Plan materials for each site separately.

The top of the diagram is north.

North-west corner X

North-west corner Z

Want a coloured beam?

Glass above the beacon, bottom to top

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The lowest glass sets the beam’s colour. Each glass above it is mixed half and half with the colour below, so the top glass counts most. Stained glass panes work the same; clear glass changes nothing. This plan puts the same glass above every beacon. Colours follow Java Edition.

Add stained glass on top

Or pick the colour you want

Build it layer by layer

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Fill every layer. Each new layer sits on the one below, centred with a one-block inset on all four sides.

Checks record base construction only. They do not confirm a working beacon in the game. Bring the beacon blocks and activation items separately, then check the beam and powers in your world. Plans are saved by base size on this browser; changing the crafting material keeps your checks and stock.

Building at exact game coordinates?

Use world coordinates

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Enter the block where the north-west beacon goes: the beacon itself, not the base under it. East is +X, south is +Z. Each layer then shows its Y level and its X and Z range, and the range question shows where the effect reaches.

Placed the beacons on top?

Beacon blocks placed on the base Activation item supplied for each beacon Clear beam path checked in my world Effects selected and confirmed in the game UI

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These are your manual records. Base checks never activate a beacon or verify game success. At level 4, each beacon chooses either its primary effect at level II, or a primary effect at level I plus Regeneration. Bring one iron ingot, gold ingot, emerald, diamond or netherite ingot per beacon for the initial selection.

Materials to bring

Already set some blocks aside?

Inventory comparison mode

Usable mineral blocks total (optional)

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Enter whole, full base blocks reserved for this entire base. The comparison stays against the full base even after checking layers. It excludes beacon blocks, activation items and loose raw items. The selected material above controls only the hypothetical single-material crafting estimate.

Already built part of this pyramid?

Already-built level in this same layout

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Keep the beacon tops at their current positions. Add larger layers underneath the existing base; clear or excavate enough space below. Reuse assumes the same layout. Reserved inventory is separate from placed blocks.

3D view of the base

Layer 1 of 4 — 9×9, 81 blocks

Hi, I’m Monty. Need a hand?