Dimensions in Minecraft
Minecraft is not just one world: the game has three official dimensions, each with its own atmosphere, mobs, resources and challenges. The Overworld is the vast surface world, the Nether is a hellish land of fire, and the End is a dark void ruled by the Ender Dragon. Learn about every dimension, how to travel between them, what you will find there and how to survive.
The three main dimensions
Each Minecraft dimension is a separate world with its own physics, biomes, mobs and structures. Traveling between them means building portals: an obsidian one to the Nether and an activated portal frame to the End. Pick a dimension to see the details.
Overworld
The main Minecraft dimension, where every adventure begins. Over 60 biomes, hundreds of structures and unlimited room to explore.
The Nether
A hellish dimension full of lava, dangerous mobs and valuable resources. Five unique biomes and the key to netherite.
The End
The mysterious End: home of the Ender Dragon and the way to finish the game. End City islands with elytra and shulkers.
A fourth dimension has already been announced. At Minecraft Live on September 26, 2026, Mojang confirmed that the Sift, a dimension known from Minecraft Dungeons II, is coming to Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027. No exact date has been given yet. It will be the first new dimension in the game in almost 15 years, since the End was added. Until then, Minecraft has three dimensions (as of October 2026). You can read more in the article The Sift from Dungeons II is coming to Minecraft in 2027.
Other dimension concepts
Besides the three official dimensions, Minecraft has the Void, the deadly edge below bedrock, and since version 1.16.2 it supports custom dimensions made by the community with data packs and mods. You will also find a preview of the Sift here, the fourth dimension that is due to arrive in the game in 2027.
The Sift: a new Minecraft dimension (announced for 2027)
Minecraft's fourth dimension, announced at Minecraft LIVE in September 2026. It comes to Java and Bedrock in 2027 and is already in Dungeons II.
Read more →The Void
Endless darkness below bedrock and beyond the edges of the world. In Java it deals damage below Y=-128 in the Overworld and after a fall off the End islands.
Read more →Custom dimensions
Data packs and mods let you create your own dimensions with unique biomes, structures and terrain generation rules.
Read more →How to travel between dimensions
Traveling between dimensions means building the right portals. Here is a quick guide:
Overworld ↔ Nether
Build a frame out of obsidian (at least 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall) and light it with flint and steel. The purple swirl teleports you to the Nether. Remember the 1:8 ratio: one block in the Nether equals 8 blocks in the Overworld. Use it to cover long distances quickly.
Overworld → End
Find a stronghold with an Eye of Ender: throw it in the air and it flies toward the stronghold. Inside, find the room with the End portal and fill the empty slots in the frame with Eyes of Ender (up to 12). This requires an earlier trip to the Nether for blaze rods.
End → Overworld
After you defeat the Ender Dragon, the exit portal in the middle of the island activates. Jump into it to return to the Overworld and watch the end credits. You can also die in the End and respawn in the Overworld.
Dimension comparison
| Feature | Overworld | Nether | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y range | -64 to 320 | 0 to 256 | 0 to 256 |
| Number of biomes | 60+ | 5 | 5 |
| Day/night cycle | Yes (20 min) | No | No |
| Weather | Yes | No | No |
| Bed | Works normally | Explodes | Explodes |
| Water | Normal | Evaporates instantly | Normal |
| Compass | Points to spawn | Spins randomly | Spins randomly |
Related pages
Biomes in Minecraft
A complete list of all 70+ biomes across all three dimensions, with descriptions and tips.
Structures in Minecraft
Villages, strongholds, fortresses, monuments and more: every generated structure in the game.
Mobs in Minecraft
An encyclopedia of all mobs, passive, neutral and hostile, in every dimension.
How to make a Nether portal
Step by step: building an obsidian portal and traveling to the Nether.
Elytra and rockets
How to get an elytra in the End and fly with rockets: a flight guide.
Data packs in Minecraft
Custom dimensions, biomes and structures: what you can create with data packs.