What is the best way to find a stronghold in Minecraft?
Using Eyes of Ender
Craft Eyes of Ender by combining Ender Pearls (from Endermen) with Blaze Powder (from Blaze Rods in Nether Fortresses). Throw one into the air; it will float in the direction of the nearest stronghold for a few seconds before dropping or breaking. Follow that direction, throw another, and repeat until the eye dives downward into the ground.
When the eye goes down, dig straight down carefully (not into lava) or use a staircase pattern until you hit stone bricks. Strongholds generate between Y-levels 0 and 50, often near caves and ravines. Bring a pickaxe, torches, and blocks to bridge gaps.
- Eyes of Ender have a 20% chance to break when thrown.
- You need 12 eyes to activate the End Portal frame (some may already be filled).
- Strongholds are about 1,000–2,000 blocks from spawn on average, but can be closer or farther.
- If the eye flies backward, you've passed the stronghold—turn around.
Alternative Methods
If you're low on resources, you can use a cartographer villager to buy a woodland explorer map, but that points to a woodland mansion, not a stronghold. For strongholds, Eyes of Ender are the only reliable in-game method.
In Creative mode, you can use the /locate stronghold command (Java Edition) to get coordinates instantly. In Bedrock, enable cheats and use /locate stronghold as well. Without cheats, you can also dig around at Y=30 in a large area, but that's inefficient.
- Use F3 (Java) or a coordinates mod to track your position.
- Bring a bed and food for long trips.
- Strongholds can be partially generated inside caves or water.
Common mistakes
- Throwing all your Eyes of Ender at once—they can break, so throw one at a time and follow the direction.
- Digging straight down without checking for lava or falling into a ravine.
- Assuming the first stronghold you find has a complete End Portal—some rooms are cut off or missing frames.
