The world of Minecraft features tons of naturally occurring phenomena that are present at the time of world creation. Such creations are located at random locations in a Minecraft world and provide brand-new opportunities for exploration.
Strongholds are one such unique areas that can be found naturally underground. The importance of a stronghold is immense due to its characteristic of housing end-portals. However, you need to use the Eyes of Ender to locate them.
A default Minecraft world generates a total of three strongholds. They are naturally located within a 1000-block radius of the center of your world. Each stronghold is located at a 120° angle compared to the other one. All strongholds have a portal to the End.
The exact number can change depending on the size of the world. It is generally better to understand the layout of a stronghold before you visit one, as it’ll make your life much easier.
Calculating Strongholds in Minecraft
Strongholds are located in a ring-based configuration from the center of the world. Each ring has a certain radius from the center, forming a perfect underground circle. The center is not the default spawn point and can be located using your Minecraft world’s X and Z coordinates.
Bedrock Edition
In Minecraft, strongholds are usually not generated near the ground level. They are present deep underground and can only be explored when dug down. However, strongholds may generate at a bedrock level while cutting the bedrock itself.
Pocket Edition
The Pocket edition is a relatively smaller version of Minecraft and only features a total of 3 strongholds being generated between 640 and 1152 blocks from the center.
However, a world can contain more strongholds at random locations underground, around the world.
Java Edition
The Minecraft Java edition presents more structured layering techniques than the bedrock and pocket variants. A total of 128 strongholds are created underground in a ring configuration. They follow a strict configuration and are much easier to dig out.
Here is how the even spacing of Java Edition strongholds works:
| Rings | Number of Strongholds | Range (From Origin) |
| 1st | 3 | 1408 – 2688 |
| 2nd | 6 | 4480 – 5760 |
| 3rd | 10 | 7552 – 8832 |
| 4th | 15 | 10624 – 11904 |
| 5th | 21 | 13696 – 14976 |
| 6th | 28 | 16768 – 18048 |
| 7th | 36 | 19840 – 21120 |
| 8th | 9 | 22912 – 24192 |
What is the Size of a Stronghold in Minecraft?
Strongholds have a randomized size. However, their ratios are rather easy to track. Here is how a stronghold is formulated in Minecraft:
| Block Type | Percentage |
| Stone Brick | 45% |
| Mossy Stone Brick | 30% |
| Cracked Stone Brick | 20% |
| Monster Egg Block | 5% |
Each stronghold generation begins with a spiral staircase room and expands from there. A Stronghold generally contains the following:
- Rooms
- Storage Rooms
- Slab Altars
- Libraries
- Blocks
To find a stronghold, you should aim for the center of your given Minecraft world. Alternatively, an eye of the ender can also locate the nearest stronghold for you. These underground bases are great for looting and provide end portals. Therefore, it is recommended to explore them as much as possible.