Caves

Winding tunnels run through the stone underground. They branch, cross one another, and sometimes open onto the surface.

What to expect

You will find narrow passages, forks, and larger chambers. Their distribution varies: if you cannot find an entrance, you may simply need to explore farther.

Caves stop at water. A tunnel that reaches the sea does not break through and drain it. You may find caves on either side of a body of water without a passage connecting them.

Finding a way in

Some tunnels open onto the surface, leaving an opening about three blocks across in a hillside. These entrances are small, but they let you enter without mining.

You can also dig your own way down.

Near the bottom

Below y = 10, caves may contain lava. Lava lights up the walls and burns you on contact; see Health and death. Bedrock forms the bottom between y = 0 and y = 4. There are no deep caves below zero yet.

You may also find dungeons with chests containing iron ingots. Their first reward roll can add up to 10 Deep crystals, random copper, silver, and gold ingots, and a Deep Pickaxe with a 1% chance. See Chests for the amounts and reward rules. The cage in the middle is inactive and does not spawn creatures.

Digging deep can uncover Deep crystal ore in the stone you expose yourself. Cave walls that were already open never reveal it, so dig fresh tunnels from the cave floor. See Deep crystals.

What to bring

The underground is dark. Glowstone gives off the strongest light, and torches are almost as bright. A torch can attach to a tunnel wall instead of taking up a full block of floor space. Equip either in your hotbar to place it; see Blocks for placement rules.