Beacon Calculator
Pick a level and a material — the calculator counts blocks per layer, ingots to craft them, the range and the effects the beacon unlocks.
How we calculate
A beacon pyramid is made of square layers below it: 3×3, 5×5, 7×7 and 9×9, i.e. 9, 25, 49 and 81 blocks. Level 4 takes 164 blocks in total. Blocks of iron, gold, diamond, emerald and netherite all count, and you can mix them in any proportion. Each block is crafted from 9 ingots or gems.
Level 1 unlocks Speed and Haste, level 2 Resistance and Jump Boost, level 3 Strength. Level 4 adds a second slot: Regeneration or your primary effect at level II. The range grows from 20 to 50 blocks, and the effect lasts 9 seconds plus 2 per level, refreshing as long as you stay nearby.
The block list and crafting cost come from the game’s own 26.3 data. Effects per level, range and duration were checked against two independent descriptions. For the beacon to work it needs open sky or only transparent blocks above it.
Sources
checked 30 September 2026
Questions and answers
How many blocks does a full beacon need?
164 blocks: 9 + 25 + 49 + 81 in four layers. With iron that is 1,476 iron ingots to craft them.
Can I mix blocks of different metals?
Yes. The beacon counts any block of iron, gold, diamond, emerald or netherite, so you can build the pyramid from whatever you have most of. The material does not change the effects.
What does level 4 give?
A second effect slot: either Regeneration or your chosen primary effect at level II, such as Haste II. It also gives the largest range — 50 blocks.
Which game version are these numbers for?
Java Edition 26.3: the block list and recipes come from that version’s game data; effects and range come from descriptions of the beacon mechanics.
Unofficial tool. Not affiliated with the developers or publishers of Minecraft.