Beacon calculator - pyramids and effects
The beacon is one of the most powerful sources of constant effects in Minecraft, but it needs a huge pyramid of valuable blocks. Our calculator shows exactly how many blocks you need for each level (9, 34, 83 or 164), what radius the effects have and which buffs you get at a given pyramid height - from the basic 3x3 to the full-size 9x9.
1. What a beacon is in Minecraft
The beacon is a block crafted from 3 obsidian, 5 glass and one Nether Star (dropped by the Wither). Placed on a pyramid of mineral blocks, it emits a beam of light that reaches the sky and gives players in range constant status effects: Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, Strength and Regeneration.
A beacon keeps permanent effects running without potions - as long as you stand within its range, the buff is renewed every 4 seconds. It does take a serious investment in materials, though: a full 4-level pyramid is 164 mineral blocks, which equals 1,476 iron ingots or 1,476 gold ingots.
2. Beacon pyramid - layers and block counts
The pyramid under the beacon has up to 4 layers. Each layer is 2 blocks narrower than the one below it (a 1-block margin on every side). The table below shows all four levels with exact block counts:
| Level | Total blocks | Layer layout | Effect radius | Available effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 3x3 (9) | 20 blocks | Speed I OR Haste I |
| 2 | 34 | 5x5 (25) + 3x3 (9) | 30 blocks | + Resistance I OR Jump Boost I |
| 3 | 83 | 7x7 (49) + 5x5 (25) + 3x3 (9) | 40 blocks | + Strength I |
| 4 | 164 | 9x9 (81) + 7x7 (49) + 5x5 (25) + 3x3 (9) | 50 blocks | + Regeneration I OR primary effect upgraded to II |
Build example: to build a full level 4 pyramid, first lay the bottom layer of 9×9 (81 blocks) on flat ground. Then center a layer of 7×7 (49 blocks) on it, on top of that 5×5 (25 blocks), at the very top 3×3 (9 blocks), and place the beacon in the center of the top layer.
Pyramid visualization (top view)
Bird's-eye view - 4 concentric layers, the beacon (white) in the center of the top 3×3 layer.
Pyramid visualization (side view)
Side view - each layer leaves a 1-block margin around the layer above it. Dashed line: the beam of light reaching the sky.
3. Which materials you can use for the pyramid
The beacon pyramid has to be built from mineral blocks. Five materials are available - they all give exactly the same effects and the same range, and differ only in cost and availability.
- Block of Iron - 9 iron ingots per block. The cheapest, and easy to farm on iron golem farms. Full pyramid: 1,476 ingots.
- Block of Gold - 9 gold ingots per block. Available from gold farms or by mining in the badlands biome. Full pyramid: 1,476 ingots.
- Block of Emerald - 9 emeralds per block. Expensive - emeralds are mostly obtained by trading with villagers. Full pyramid: 1,476 emeralds.
- Block of Diamond - 9 diamonds per block. Very expensive, but striking to look at. Full pyramid: 1,476 diamonds.
- Block of Netherite - 9 netherite ingots per block (that is 36 ancient debris + 36 gold ingots per block). The most expensive material in the game. Full pyramid: 5,904 ancient debris.
You can mix materials - for example an iron bottom layer and diamond above it. Mixing doesn't affect the effects. The beam of light stays white whatever materials you use (stained glass above the beacon changes the beam color, not the pyramid blocks themselves).
4. Beacon effects by level
A beacon offers two kinds of effects: primary and secondary. You always choose a primary one, and a secondary one only with a full 4-level pyramid. Below is the full list, with the pyramid levels at which each effect unlocks:
Level 1 (9 blocks, radius 20)
- Speed I - +20% movement speed
- Haste I - +20% mining and attack speed
Level 2 (34 blocks, radius 30)
All the level 1 effects, plus:
- Resistance I - 20% less damage taken
- Jump Boost I - jump about 0.5 block higher
Level 3 (83 blocks, radius 40)
All the effects from levels 1-2, plus:
- Strength I - +3 melee damage
Level 4 (164 blocks, radius 50) - full pyramid
All the previous effects, plus a second slot:
- Regeneration I as the secondary effect - restores 1 health point every 50 ticks (2.5 seconds)
- OR an upgrade of the primary effect to level II (for example Speed II instead of Speed I) - you pick one of the two
Important: the secondary slot is active only with a full 4-level pyramid. Whichever effect you pick, the beacon charges the same fee (1 ingot or gem) every time you change the setup.
5. Effect range and height
A beacon's range grows linearly with the pyramid level. The radius is measured from the beacon block in the horizontal plane (X and Z axes), not from the center of the pyramid.
- Level 1: 20-block radius - a 40×40 block area around the beacon
- Level 2: 30-block radius - a 60×60 block area
- Level 3: 40-block radius - an 80×80 block area
- Level 4: 50-block radius - a 100×100 block area
Vertical: vertically, the effects reach from the beacon's layer up to the top of the world.
Duration: the beacon refreshes the effect every 4 seconds, so within range the effect never wears off. After you leave the range, it fades after a short while.
6. How to activate a beacon step by step
- Build the pyramid from your chosen mineral blocks. The pyramid has to be complete - all layers full, with no gaps. The game detects the level (1-4) automatically from the arrangement of blocks under the beacon.
- Place the beacon in the exact center of the top layer. The beacon block does NOT count as part of the pyramid - it has to stand ON the top 3×3 layer.
- Check the view of the sky - there can't be any solid block above the beacon all the way up to the world height limit. Glass, water, barriers and other transparent blocks don't block it.
- Open the beacon GUI with a right-click. You'll see icons of the available effects (depending on the pyramid level).
- Choose a primary effect, and with level 4 a secondary one too. Put 1 iron ingot, 1 gold ingot, 1 emerald, 1 diamond OR 1 netherite ingot in the payment slot and click the green ✓.
- The beam of light starts automatically. After a few seconds the effect icon appears in the HUD - the beacon is working.
Changing the effect later costs the fee again (1 ingot or gem). The beacon never uses up the pyramid's materials, though - once built, it works indefinitely.
7. How to change the beam color
You can change the color of the beacon's beam with stained glass or stained glass panes placed above the beacon. Each layer of stained glass blends with the previous color according to RGB rules.
- One color: place 1 block of stained glass above the beacon - the beam takes that color.
- Color mix: further blocks of stained glass blend together.
- Reset to white: remove all the stained glass above the beacon.
Tinting the beam is purely cosmetic - it doesn't affect the effects or the range.
8. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many blocks do you need for a full beacon pyramid?
A full 4-level pyramid takes 164 mineral blocks: 81 in the bottom layer (9x9), 49 in the second (7x7), 25 in the third (5x5) and 9 in the top layer (3x3). On top of that comes the beacon itself (1 block), placed at the summit.
What is a beacon's range?
The range depends on the pyramid level: level 1 is 20 blocks, level 2 is 30 blocks, level 3 is 40 blocks, and a full level 4 reaches 50 blocks in every direction (X and Z axes).
What blocks can you use for a beacon pyramid?
You can use five materials: blocks of iron, gold, emerald, diamond and netherite. They all give exactly the same effects and the same range. You can also mix materials in one pyramid - the beam of light stays white. A common tactic is cheap iron in the bottom layer (81 blocks) and pricier materials higher up.
Does a beacon work underwater or underground?
A beacon needs a clear view of the sky - there can be no solid block above it all the way up to the world height limit. Water, glass and other transparent blocks (for example stained glass or barriers) do NOT block a beacon. So you can hide a beacon underwater or behind a glass wall - the beam still shoots up to the sky and the effects work normally.
How do you activate a beacon and choose an effect?
Place the beacon on a finished pyramid and right-click it to open the GUI. Pick a primary power (Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, Strength) and optionally a secondary one (Regeneration, or an upgrade of the primary power to level II - only with 4 levels). Put 1 iron ingot, gold ingot, emerald, diamond or netherite ingot in the GUI as payment and click the green checkmark.
Why isn't my beacon working?
The three most common causes: (1) there is a solid block above the beacon - check the whole column up to the top of the world, (2) the pyramid has gaps - even one missing block in a layer cancels that whole level, (3) the beacon is placed straight on the ground without a pyramid - it has to sit ON mineral blocks.
How long do beacon effects last?
Beacon effects are constant as long as you stay within range of the pyramid. While you are in range, the beacon refreshes the effect every 4 seconds, so the buff never runs out. When you leave the range, the effect keeps running for a short while and then wears off, which gives you a brief buffer.