Nether Portal Calculator
Convert coordinates between the Overworld and the Nether (the 1:8 ratio) and measure the distance between portals — so your portals link to the right place every time.
Coordinate converter
Type in either row — the other updates automatically (X & Z ÷8, Y stays the same).
Portal distance calculator
3D distance between two portals — keep Nether portals >128 blocks apart to stop them cross-linking.
How Overworld ↔ Nether coordinates work
Travelling one block in the Nether moves you eight blocks in the Overworld, so the Nether is an 8× fast-travel layer. To find where an Overworld location lands in the Nether, divide its X and Z by 8 and round down. The Y (height) coordinate is identical in both dimensions and is never divided. To go the other way, multiply the Nether X and Z by 8.
Example: an Overworld base at X 1480, Y 64, Z -520 corresponds to X 185, Y 64, Z -65 in the Nether.
How to link two Nether portals
- Build and light your first portal; press
F3to read its X, Y, Z. - Convert those coordinates with the tool above.
- Go to the matching coordinates in the other dimension and build the second portal there.
- Light it and step through — it will connect back to the first portal.
Manually placing the paired portal (instead of letting the game auto-generate one) is the reliable way to get a clean two-way link.
The 128-block rule (why distance matters)
When you enter a portal, the game looks for an existing destination portal within 128 blocks in the Nether. If two of your Nether portals sit closer than that, one can steal the other's link and you'll come out at the wrong place. Use the distance calculator to keep Nether portals at least 128 blocks apart — roughly 1024 blocks apart in the Overworld — so every portal gets its own dedicated link.
FAQ
How do you convert Overworld coordinates to the Nether?
Divide the X and Z coordinates by 8 (round down); the Y coordinate stays the same. So Overworld X=800, Z=-240 becomes Nether X=100, Z=-30. Going the other way, multiply Nether X and Z by 8.
Why is the ratio 1:8?
One block travelled in the Nether equals eight blocks in the Overworld, so the Nether is an 8× faster shortcut for long-distance travel. Only horizontal axes (X and Z) scale — Y (height) is 1:1.
How do I make two Nether portals link correctly?
Build the first portal, note its coordinates, convert them with the calculator above, then build the second portal as close as possible to those converted coordinates in the other dimension. Light it, and the game links them.
What is the 128-block rule?
A portal searches for an existing destination portal within 128 blocks (in the Nether). If two Nether portals are closer than ~128 blocks, they can hijack each other’s links. Use the distance calculator to keep Nether portals more than 128 blocks apart (about 1024 blocks in the Overworld).
Does Y (height) need converting?
No. The Y coordinate is identical in both dimensions, so build your destination portal at the same height — though in the Nether you usually adjust to a safe spot away from lava.
Why did my Nether portal link to the wrong place?
When you enter a portal the game looks for an existing destination portal within range and picks the nearest one (including Y). If another portal is closer than yours, it hijacks the link. Fix it by building the paired portal manually at the converted coordinates, and keep portals far enough apart (see the 128-block rule).
How many obsidian blocks do I need for a portal?
A minimum portal is 4×5 and needs 10 obsidian (the corners are optional). A full rectangle with corners is 14. Larger frames up to 23×23 work too.
Is the ratio the same on Bedrock?
Yes — the Overworld↔Nether ratio is 1:8 on both Java and Bedrock (X and Z divided/multiplied by 8, Y unchanged).