Every tier at a glance
Each layer is a solid square of mineral blocks, and the pyramid is built downwards from a 3×3 top. Tap a tier to jump to its full breakdown.
How it is worked out
Every layer is a complete square, two blocks wider than the one above it. The top layer is 3×3, so the four possible layers are 3×3, 5×5, 7×7 and 9×9 — 9, 25, 49 and 81 blocks. A tier is the running total from the top down.
ingots = blocks × 9
range = 10 × (tier + 1)
duration = 9 + 2 × tier seconds
The × 9 is because every mineral block is crafted from nine ingots or gems, so the raw cost is always nine times the block count. Range and duration both scale linearly with the tier, which is why the last layer is the worst value: it doubles the material for 10 more blocks of reach.
Each tier in full
Every card opens the Beacon Calculator with that tier already selected, so you can switch material or subtract what you have already mined.
Tier 4 — Four layers (full beacon)
Layers bottom to top: 9×9 (81), 7×7 (49), 5×5 (25), 3×3 (9). Effect range 50 blocks, duration 17 seconds reapplied every 4. Powers: All five primaries, plus a secondary slot: Regeneration I, or your primary upgraded to level II.
Open tier 4 in the Beacon Calculator →Tier 3 — Three layers
Layers bottom to top: 7×7 (49), 5×5 (25), 3×3 (9). Effect range 40 blocks, duration 15 seconds reapplied every 4. Powers: Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost and Strength.
Open tier 3 in the Beacon Calculator →Tier 2 — Two layers
Layers bottom to top: 5×5 (25), 3×3 (9). Effect range 30 blocks, duration 13 seconds reapplied every 4. Powers: Speed, Haste, Resistance and Jump Boost.
Open tier 2 in the Beacon Calculator →Tier 1 — One layer
Layers bottom to top: 3×3 (9). Effect range 20 blocks, duration 11 seconds reapplied every 4. Powers: Speed I and Haste I.
Open tier 1 in the Beacon Calculator →What each material costs
All five valid blocks count identically towards the pyramid, and they can be mixed freely. The only thing that changes is what it costs you to get there.
| Material | Blocks for tier 4 | Raw units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 164 | 1,476 | Cheapest by a wide margin, and what almost everyone builds with |
| Gold | 164 | 1,476 | Plentiful in the Nether, so a common second choice |
| Diamond | 164 | 1,476 | Works, but the same blocks are better spent on tools and armour |
| Emerald | 164 | 1,476 | Trading can supply these faster than mining ever will |
| Netherite | 164 | 1,476 | Valid, but each block is nine netherite ingots — a flex, not a plan |
What these counts do not include
- The beacon itself: 5 glass, 3 obsidian and 1 nether star, which means killing a Wither first.
- Sky access. The column directly above the beacon must be unobstructed — glass, water and leaves are fine, one opaque block is not.
- The ingot or gem you feed the beacon to select a power. That is one item, not one stack.
- Anything below the bottom layer. The pyramid does not need a foundation, and blocks under it count for nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How many blocks does a full beacon need?＋
A full four-layer beacon needs 164 mineral blocks: a 9x9 base of 81, then 7x7 (49), 5x5 (25) and 3x3 (9), with the beacon itself on top. That is 1,476 ingots or gems, because every one of those blocks is crafted from nine.
Is tier 3 good enough?＋
For most players, yes. Tier 3 costs 83 blocks against 164 for tier 4 - barely half - and still gives a 40-block radius plus Strength. Tier 4 buys you 10 more blocks of range, two more seconds of duration, and the secondary slot for Regeneration or a level II primary.
Can I mix iron, gold and diamond in one pyramid?＋
Yes. Iron, gold, diamond, emerald and netherite blocks all count identically and can be mixed freely within the same layer. The material changes only what the build costs you, never what the beacon does.
Why is my finished pyramid not powering the beacon?＋
Almost always sky access: the column above the beacon must be unobstructed, though glass, water and leaves are fine. Otherwise check that every layer is a complete square with no gaps, and that you have fed it one ingot or gem to select a power.