{{about|the dimension|the update|Nether Update|other uses|Nether (disambiguation)}}
<!--Please do not change blocks and structure names containing "nether" to "Nether". According to style guide, block, structure and biome names should not be capitalized.-->
[[File:The Nether.png|thumb|300px|A view of a [[crimson forest]] with a [[hoglin]] and a [[ghast]] in the background.]]
[[File:Nether 'biome'.png|thumb|300px|A view of a [[nether fortress]].]]
The '''Nether''' is a dangerous, hell-like [[dimension]] containing [[fire]], [[lava]], fungal vegetation, many [[hostile mobs]], and exclusive [[structure]]s and [[biome]]s.

== Accessing ==
{{Main|Nether portal}}
[[File:Full and Budget Nether Portal.png|thumb|right|"Economy" portal without corners (left), and a full portal (right)]]

To access the Nether, the [[player]] must construct a [[nether portal]] in the [[Overworld]] (portals created in [[the End]] do not activate). To create the portal, the player must first build a rectangular [[obsidian]] frame, ranging in size from a minimum of 4 blocks × 5 blocks to a maximum of 23 blocks × 23 blocks. Once the frame is completed, it can then be activated by placing [[fire]] within the frame, using [[flint and steel]], [[fire charge]], [[dispenser]]s, or any material that is capable of igniting fire.

The portal allows most [[entities]] (with the exception of the [[wither]] and the [[ender dragon]]) to be transported to a corresponding portal in the Nether. In [[Survival]], the player must stand in a nether portal for 4 seconds to enter the Nether. The player can step out of a portal before it completes its animation to abort the teleport. The portal plays a sound effect while the player is inside it. If there is no corresponding portal, a new 4×5 portal is created. The portal can be destroyed by breaking the obsidian frame, by a nearby explosion, or by placing [[water]] in the Overworld or [[lava]] into it with a [[bucket]] or [[dispenser]]. Any of the [[block]]s in the corners can be destroyed without destroying the portal.

In the former [[Old]]{{only|bedrock}} world type, it is impossible to construct a nether portal. The portal block must be placed using cheats. When done, the Nether has the same 256×256 borders as the Overworld, and if a nether portal is then made in the Nether, it can spawn the player outside the world barrier.

If [[cheats]] are enabled, players can also teleport to the Nether without using a nether portal: the syntax is {{cmd|execute in the_nether}} {{in|java}}, and {{cmd|execute in nether}} {{in|bedrock}}.

== Traits ==
[[Bedrock]] forms a rough 5 layer ceiling on top of the nether (starting at [[layer|y-level]] 123 and ending at y-level 127) restricting the player from leaving the Nether. Just like the [[Overworld]] the player is protected from falling off the world by 5 bottom layers of bedrock (starting at y level 4 and ending at y-level 0) in a rough pattern. This makes the Nether 128 blocks high unlike the Overworld's 384. In the infinite worlds of the ''Java'' and ''Bedrock'' Editions, the Nether is also horizontally infinite. 

{{IN|Java}}, build limit in the Nether is 256 blocks: if the player manages to get on top of the bedrock roof, they can build additional 128 blocks upward on it. {{IN|bedrock}}, the build limit in the Nether is 128 blocks, despite it being 256 in the End, and 320 in the Overworld.

The Nether has no [[daylight cycle]] and no [[weather]]. Natural sources of [[light]] include [[fire]], [[lava]], [[portal]]s, [[shroomlight]]s and [[glowstone]]. Even with a light level of 0, the Nether has a dim ambient light (roughly equivalent to light level 8 in the Overworld). Light otherwise functions exactly the same as it does in the Overworld and the End.

The majority of flora in the Nether is fungus-based as opposed to plants. The Nether "grass" consists of specialized Nether mycelium (known as "[[nylium]]"). The Nether features its own unique [[fungi]] (including nether wart), as well as equivalent [[huge fungi]] that serve as [[tree]]s. The stems of the huge fungi function as [[log]]s. Also present are a number of native vines and roots.

Most creatures found in the Nether are hostile and potentially dangerous.

Locations in the Nether correlate to Overworld [[coordinates]], but horizontal Overworld distances are scaled down by a ratio of 8:1 for travel in the Nether. Therefore, traveling one block in the Nether means traveling eight blocks in the Overworld. For example, in a perfect scenario, a player who enters a portal in the Overworld at X=0, Z=0 and travels in the Nether to X=1000, Z=1000 returns to the Overworld at X=8000, Z=8000. This makes portals a useful tool for traveling long distances in the Overworld.

{{Calculator|netherCoords}}

Most items and blocks in the Nether function the same as they do in the Overworld, with a few notable exceptions: 

*[[Bed]]s cannot be used as a spawn point; they instead [[explode]] and cause fires when a player attempts to sleep in one. It has an explosion power of 5. The explosion is larger than that of [[TNT]], which has an explosion power of 4.
*The player may use a powered [[respawn anchor]] to respawn in the Nether, but when it runs out of charges, the player once again respawns in the Overworld.
*There is no way to place liquid [[water]] in the Nether without the use of [[commands]], except inside a [[cauldron]]. These can be used to put out a player on fire.
**Using [[water bucket]]s produces steam particles and a hissing sound, leaving the player with an empty [[bucket]].
**[[Ice]] that is melted or smashed in the Nether does not produce water.
**A [[wet sponge]] instantly becomes a regular [[sponge]] when placed.
**If placed using cheats or when placed inside a cauldron, water takes on a reddish-brown color.{{only|bedrock}}
*Lava flows twice as far (eight blocks) and six times as fast in the Nether compared to Overworld, equivalent to water's flow characteristics from the Overworld.
*[[Grass block]]s and [[leaves]] take on a dead-looking brownish color because the Nether is [[Biome#Dry/warm biomes|dry and hot]].
*[[Map]]s generate a brown-gray static pattern. The player's direction indicator spins randomly; its location is still relative to the player's location in the Nether, except in the [[New Nintendo 3DS Edition]], where it is always in the center of the map. Usable significantly for lava ocean travel via a [[strider]]. Putting the map in the off-hand minimizes the map to help see one's strider footing.
*[[Clock]]s spin wildly, making it impossible to tell the time while in the Nether. [[Compass]]es also spin wildly unless connected to a [[lodestone]], which they then point toward.
*[[Snow golem]]s rapidly take fire damage and die, due to the Nether being dry and hot. However, they can survive if they have the {{EffectLink|Fire Resistance}} status effect.
*[[Pointed Dripstone|Stalactites]] produce lava particles instead of water particles, and do not convert [[mud]] above them into [[clay]].<ref>{{bug|MC-264720||Mud does not convert to clay in Nether with dripstone|WAI}}</ref>

== Environment ==
The Nether features unique cave-like terrain with no sky. Lava and fire are common hazards everywhere in the Nether. Areas distant from the player are shrouded in [[Fog#Nether fog|fog]] of red or blue, depending on the biome. The shape of the terrain in the Nether is independent of the biome distribution; instead, the biome alters the surface material and adds terrain features to the netherrack terrain. 

=== Biomes===
{{Main|Biome#The Nether}}
The Nether is divided into several biomes just like the Overworld, each featuring unique terrain, mobs, structures, ambience, etc. There are currently five [[biome]]s in the Nether:

{| class="wikitable col-1-center col-2-left col-3-center" data-description="Nether structures"
|-
! Biome name
!Description
!Image
|-
! scope="row" |{{anchor|Nether|The Nether|Hell}}[[Nether Wastes]]
|The nether wastes is the most common biome in the Nether. The surface is composed of uncovered [[netherrack]], exposing more [[ore (feature)|blob]]s than any other biome. [[Zombified piglin]]s dominate this biome, and can be found in hordes of up to 4. Ghasts and magma cubes also spawn, along with the occasional group of [[piglin]]s.
|[[File:Nether.png|frameless|Nether Wastes]]
|-
!{{anchor|Crimson Forest}} [[Crimson Forest]]
|The crimson forest is named for its red color, and is covered by the canopies of [[Huge fungus|huge, tree-like fungi]]. Huge, pig-like animals called [[hoglin]]s roam around the [[nylium]]-covered terrain, while tribes of [[piglin]]s hunt them for food. This makes it one of the only biomes to have an ecosystem. While not as numerous as in the [[nether wastes]], the occasional [[zombified piglin]] also roams, and if near normal piglins, it scares them away.
|[[File:Crimson Forest.png|frameless|Crimson forest]]
|-
!{{anchor|Warped Forest}} [[Warped Forest]]
|The warped forest has the most [[Plant|flora]] in the Nether (due to the additional [[nether sprouts]] that are found only within the biome) but also has only two [[mob]]s, those being the [[endermen]] and the occasional [[strider]]. The amount of endermen here makes the biome an ideal place to collect [[ender pearl]]s before the player has access to [[the End]] dimension.
|[[File:Warped Forest.png|frameless|Warped forest]]
|-
!{{anchor|Soul Sand Valley}} [[Soul Sand Valley]]
|The soul sand valley is covered in [[soul soil]] and deposits of [[soul sand]], and it is home to numerous [[ghast]]s and [[skeleton]]s. [[Boots]] enchanted with [[Soul Speed]] allow the player to avoid the slowing effect of soul sand. Bluish-colored [[soul fire]] is common here and are more dangerous than regular fires.
|[[File:Soul Sand Valley.png|frameless|Soul sand valley]]
|-
!{{anchor|Basalt Deltas}} [[Basalt Deltas]]
|The basalt deltas consists of steep and spiky [[basalt]] formations along with the flatter [[delta]]s. It has numerous lava pools, and magma cubes spawn at a high rate. When the biome collides with a [[lava sea]], archipelagos of basalt and [[gravel]] form.
|[[File:BasaltDeltas.png|frameless|Basalt deltas]]
|}

=== Generated structures ===
{{Main|Structure#The Nether}}
The Nether contains a variety of unique generated structures. Though equally vast, it contains far fewer types of generated structures than there is in the Overworld.

There are currently 4 generated structures in The Nether:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" data-description="Nether structures"
|-
!Name
! width="500" |Description
!Image
|-
! scope="row" |{{anchor|Nether Fortress}}[[Nether fortress]]
|Nether fortresses are large, castle-like structures that are composed of [[nether bricks]]. This structure is often found bridging over [[lava sea]]s, or tunnelling through [[netherrack]]. 
This structure is the only place [[blaze]]s and [[wither skeleton]]s spawn, making fortresses the gateway to both bosses in the game: the [[ender dragon]] and the [[wither]]. Fortresses also contain blaze [[monster spawners]], as well as small [[nether wart]] farms. Nether fortresses can be found in all Nether biomes.
|[[File:Nether fortress seen from the Basalt Deltas.png|frameless|A nether fortress bridging over basalt deltas.]]
|-
!{{anchor|Nether Fossil}}[[Nether fossil]]
|Nether fossils are structures comprised of [[bone block]]s that generate within the [[soul sand valley]] biome. These structures have 14 different designs. Unlike [[fossil]]s in the [[Overworld]], [[coal ore]] does not generate within these fossils.
|[[File:Soul sand valley fossil.png|frameless|A nether fossil in a soul sand valley.]]
|-
!{{anchor|Bastion Remnant}}[[Bastion remnant]]
|Bastion remnants are large fortifications made up of [[blackstone]], [[blackstone bricks]] and [[basalt]]. A large amount of [[gold block]]s and [[chest|loot chests]] can be found within these structures. They generate in four distinct variants, each with its own unique structure and loot. They are inhabited by [[piglin]]s and [[piglin brute]]s, and in certain variants [[hoglin]]s as well. These structures generate within any Nether biome except for the [[basalt deltas]].
|[[File:Bastion forefront.png|frameless|A bridge bastion remnant in a crimson forest.]]
|-
!{{anchor|Ruined Portal}}[[Ruined portal]]
|A structure containing what appears to be a destroyed [[nether portal]] and various types of [[stone]] or [[blackstone]] materials, when generating in the Overworld or the Nether, respectively. Netherrack generates on the ground around the portal, and a [[chest]] containing loot generates with the structure.
These structures can be found in any Overworld and Nether biome.
|[[File:Nether giant ruined portal.png|frameless|A giant ruined portal in the Nether.]]
|}

=== Terrain features ===
The Nether has a lot of different [[terrain features]] that generate within the biomes of the Nether. 

There are currently 5 terrain features in The Nether 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" data-description="Nether structures"
|-
!Name
! width="500" |Description 
!Image 
|-
! scope="row" |{{anchor|Lava Sea}}[[Lava sea]]
|Lava seas generate at and below [[altitude|level 31]] in all Nether biomes.
[[Strider]]s can be found striding across these seas.
|[[File:Lava sea.png|alt=|frameless|A lava sea.]]
|-
!{{anchor|Glowstone blob}}[[Glowstone blob]]
|Glowstone blobs generate on the ceiling of the Nether in all biomes.
|[[File:GlowstoneInNether.png|frameless|A glowstone blob on the nether ceiling.]]
|-
!{{Anchor|Basalt pillar}}[[Basalt pillar]]
|Basalt pillars generate in [[soul sand valley]] biomes and on the [[lava sea]]s present there.
|[[File:Lava pillars.png|frameless|A basalt pillar above a lava sea.]]
|-
!{{Anchor|Delta}}[[Delta]]
|Deltas are sheets of constrained [[lava]] and [[magma block]]s found among the terrain of [[basalt deltas]] biomes.
|[[File:Lava delta.png|frameless|Deltas surrounded by basalt and blackstone.]]
|-
!{{Anchor|Hidden lava}}[[Spring#Hidden lava|Hidden lava]]
|Single blocks of [[lava]] are buried within [[netherrack]] in all Nether biomes. These are particularly dangerous when mining in the Nether, as the lava can quickly flow out and overwhelm the player when uncovered.
|[[File:HiddenlavainNether.png|frameless|A lava source hidden in netherrack.]]
|}

=== Mobs ===
The Nether is home to its own share of [[mob]]s, most of which are immune to fire and lava. [[Skeleton]]s, [[chicken]]s, and [[endermen]] are the only Overworld mobs that can naturally spawn in the Nether; {{in|java}}, baby [[zombified piglin]]s may spawn as chicken jockeys.

Other Overworld mobs do not naturally spawn in the Nether but can be teleported through portals (with the exception of withers and the ender dragon).

There are currently 12(Java or Bedrock edition only) or 13(total) mobs in this map:
{| style="margin:auto;text-align:center" data-description="Nether mobs"
|-
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:BlazeFace.png|64px|link=Blaze]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:ZombifiedPiglinJockeyFace.png|link=Chicken Jockey]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:EndermanFace.png|link=Enderman]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:GhastFace.png|link=Ghast]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:HoglinFace.png|link=Hoglin]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:MagmaCubeFace.png|link=Magma Cube]]
|-
|[[Blaze]]
|[[Chicken jockey]]<br>{{only|java|short=yes}} 
|[[Enderman]]
|[[Ghast]]
|[[Hoglin]]
|[[Magma cube]]
|}
{| style="margin:auto;text-align:center" data-description="Nether mobs"
|-
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:PiglinFace.png|link=Piglin|94x94px]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:PiglinBruteFace.png|link=Piglin Brute|94x94px]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:SkeletonFace.png|64px|link=Skeleton]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:StriderFace.png|link=Strider]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:WitherSkeletonFace.png|link=Wither Skeleton]]
| style="width:68px" scope="col" | [[File:ZombifiedPiglinFace.png|link=Zombified Piglin|79x79px]]
|-
|[[Piglin]]
|[[Piglin brute]]
|[[Skeleton]]
|[[Strider]]
|[[Wither skeleton]]
|[[Zombified piglin]]
|}

=== Blocks ===
==== Naturally generated ====
Naturally generated blocks includes those that are created through the world seed.
{{columns-list|
* {{BlockLink|Air}}
* {{BlockLink|Ancient Debris}}
* {{BlockLink|Basalt}}
* {{BlockLink|Bedrock}}
* {{BlockLink|Blackstone}}
* {{BlockLink|Fire}}
* {{BlockLink|Crimson Fungus}}
* {{BlockLink|Warped Fungus}}
* {{BlockLink|Glowstone}}
* {{BlockLink|Gravel}}
* {{BlockLink|Lava}}
* {{BlockLink|Magma Block}}
* {{BlockLink|Brown Mushroom}}
* {{BlockLink|Red Mushroom}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Gold Ore}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Quartz Ore}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Sprouts}}
* {{BlockLink|Netherrack}}
* {{BlockLink|Crimson Nylium}}
* {{BlockLink|Warped Nylium}}
* {{BlockLink|Crimson Roots}}
* {{BlockLink|Warped Roots}}
* {{BlockLink|Shroomlight}}
* {{BlockLink|Soul Fire}}
* {{BlockLink|Soul Sand}}
* {{BlockLink|Soul Soil}}
* {{BlockLink|Crimson Stem}}
* {{BlockLink|Warped Stem}}
* {{BlockLink|Twisting Vines}}
* {{BlockLink|Twisting Vines Plant}}
* {{BlockLink|Weeping Vines}}
* {{BlockLink|Weeping Vines Plant}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Wart Block}}
* {{BlockLink|Warped Wart Block}}
}}

==== Naturally created ====
Naturally created blocks are created through a combination of events that lead these blocks to be placed by natural causes, not by the player.
{{columns-list|
* {{BlockLink|Air}}
* {{BlockLink|Lava}}
* {{BlockLink|Brown Mushroom}}
* {{BlockLink|Red Mushroom}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Portal}} <!-- nether portals can in theory be naturally created in Overworld, but in the Nether - how? -->
* {{BlockLink|Netherrack}}{{only|bedrock|short=1}}
* {{BlockLink|Obsidian}}
* {{BlockLink|Twisting Vines}}
* {{BlockLink|Twisting Vines Plant}}
* {{BlockLink|Weeping Vines}}
* {{BlockLink|Weeping Vines Plant}}
}}

==== Structures ====
These blocks are only generated as part of [[nether fortress]]es, [[bastion remnant]]s and [[ruined portal]]s, when the "[[Structures|generated structures]]" option is on.
{{columns-list|
* {{BlockLink|Polished Basalt}}
* {{BlockLink|Blackstone Slab}}
* {{BlockLink|Blackstone Stairs}}
* {{BlockLink|Blackstone Wall}}
* {{BlockLink|Gilded Blackstone}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone Slab}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone Stairs}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone Bricks}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone Brick Slab}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone Brick Stairs}}
* {{BlockLink|Polished Blackstone Brick Wall}}
* {{BlockLink|Cracked Polished Blackstone Bricks}}
* {{BlockLink|Chiseled Polished Blackstone}}
* {{BlockLink|Bone Block}}
* {{BlockLink|Block of Gold}}
* {{BlockLink|Chain}}
* {{BlockLink|Chest}}
* {{BlockLink|Crying Obsidian}}
* {{BlockLink|Lantern}}
* {{BlockLink|Monster Spawner}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Bricks}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Brick Fence}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Brick Stairs}}
* {{BlockLink|Nether Wart}}
* {{BlockLink|Obsidian}}
* {{BlockLink|Block of Quartz}}
* {{BlockLink|Smooth Quartz Block}}
* {{BlockLink|Smooth Quartz Slab}}
}}

== Technical information ==
=== ID ===
{{ID table
|edition=java
|shownumericids=y
|displayname=Nether
|spritetype=env
|spritename=the nether
|nameid=the_nether
|id=-1
|foot=1}}

=== Folder ===
{{IN|java}}, the Nether is stored in <code>[[.minecraft]]/saves/''worldname''/DIM-1</code>. Deleting this folder resets the Nether, so that all player-made changes and buildings in that dimension are undone.

{{IN|bedrock}}, the <code>[[com.mojang]]/minecraftWorlds/''world ID''/db</code> folder contains several collections of chunks. Some of these files are used for the Nether, but it is impossible to tell which ones simply by reading the file name.

== Achievements ==
{{load achievements|Into the nether;Oooh&#44; shiny!;Cover me in debris;Hot tourist destination}}

== Advancements ==
There is a tab dedicated to the Nether in the advancement system, all involving visiting the Nether in some way in order to advance.

{{Load advancements|Nether;Subspace Bubble;A Terrible Fortress;Return to Sender;Into Fire;Spooky Scary Skeleton;Uneasy Alliance;Local Brewery;Withering Heights;A Furious Cocktail;How Did We Get Here?;Bring Home the Beacon;Beaconator;Those Were the Days;Hidden in the Depths;Oh Shiny;This Boat Has Legs;War Pigs;Country Lode, Take Me Home;Cover Me in Debris;Not Quite "Nine" Lives;Hot Tourist Destinations;We need to go Deeper;Is It A Balloon}}

== Video ==
{{yt|EtKcphC4fIc}}
{{yt|-7LsK-RtAWY}}

== History ==
{{HistoryTable
|{{HistoryLine|java indev}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.31|dev=20100107|Added a [[Java Edition removed features#Indev map theme|map theme]] named "Hell". It was a normal map, but with a lava ocean, perpetually dim lighting, and a black sky with dull red clouds.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java infdev}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100227-1414|Map themes, including Hell, have been removed.}}
|{{HistoryLine||20100327|The defunct map theme button has been removed from the interface.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||September 18, 2010|link=wordofnotch:1144331509|Notch mentions the return of the hell biome, and that it can be used for fast travel, based on a transportation method used in the novel series ''[[wikipedia:The Wheel of Time|The Wheel of Time]]'' by Robert Jordan. Within a dangerous transportation system, "the Ways", people could travel a massive amount of distance in a few days instead of weeks.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.0|dev=October 4, 2010|slink=wordofnotch:1243370641|This announcement poster hinted that the hell world would utilize [[nether portal|portals]] and that distance traveled inside the hell world would be multiplied greatly on the map above ground.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=October 8, 2010|slink=wordofnotch:1269865704|Notch reveals a new block type, now known as soul sand, that would be included in the new dimension.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=October 10, 2010|slink=wordofnotch:1285109161|A screenshot was released by [[Notch]] depicting what the Nether would look like.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=October 11, 2010|slink=wordofnotch:27054892351|Notch makes mention of the first mob to be added to the Nether, saying "You will hate the [[Ghast]]."}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=October 25, 2010|slink=wordofnotch:28689926226|Notch tweets that he is working on the second new Nether mob, and says that they are less dangerous but are otherwise "pointless."}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=October 29, 2010|slink=wordofnotch:1427565678|Notch was conflicted on naming the new dimension; he wanted to avoid "re-using existing religious names", and wanted to use a more creative and original name. He considered both "the Slip" and "the Nexus" but felt that neither felt "[M]inecrafty enough". It was eventually changed to "the Nether" on the day of the Halloween Update release.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=preview|A preview of the Halloween Update was sent out to two gaming websites later that day.<ref>{{tumblr|notch|1431121056}}</ref> The name "the Slip" was used in this release as a placeholder.<ref>{{tweet|notch|29082646882|No, "The Slip" is not the final name. It's just a placeholder in the preview I sent out.|October 29, 2010}}</ref>
|Added the Nether, including [[ghast]]s, [[zombie pigmen]], [[netherrack]], [[soul sand]], [[glowstone]], and [[nether portal]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v1.2.2|Lava was made to flow farther than it did on the Overworld.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java beta}}
|{{HistoryLine||May 2, 2011|link=wordofnotch:5136312534|Portals were made to function properly in multiplayer, allowing players in servers to teleport between the Overworld and the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.6|dev=Test Build 3|[[Bed]]s in the Nether were made to explode if used.
|The Nether now finally works in multiplayer.}}
|{{HistoryLine|java}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|dev=September 16, 2011|slink={{tweet|jeb_|114629982042591232}}|[[Jens Bergensten]] tweets a teaser screenshot of changes to the Nether terrain generation, including nether fortresses.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=September 19, 2011|slink={{tweet|jeb_|115736801347506176}}|Jens releases a second teaser screenshot, showcasing the structure of the upcoming nether fortresses.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=September 21, 2011|slink={{tweet|jeb_|116549786051682304}}|Jens mentions that he is finished with most of the new Nether features, including two new mobs, one of which is a "retexturing attempt".}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease|Many new additions to the Nether, including: [[magma cube]]s, [[blaze]]s (as well as blaze monster spawners and [[blaze rod]]s), [[nether fortress]]es (including [[nether bricks]], [[nether brick stairs]] and [[nether brick fence]]s), [[nether wart]], [[ghast tear]]s dropped by ghasts and [[gold nugget]]s dropped by zombie pigmen.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease 4|With the addition of the [[Silk Touch]] enchantment, it was possible to legitimately obtain [[water]] using [[ice]] in the Nether.}} 
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=Beta 1.9 Prerelease 5|The ability to pick up ice blocks with the Silk Touch enchantment was removed.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.2.1|dev=12w06a|[[Snow golem]]s now take damage in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w07a|The build limit has been increased from 128 to 256, allowing players to build on top of the roof.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.3.1|dev=12w16a|Added the {{cmd|give}} command. Using it to get water or <code>flowing_water</code> blocks allows another way to place water in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w17a|Ice can now be obtained with Silk Touch again, but ice no longer melts into water in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w22a|Rarely, nether portals spawn zombie pigmen.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w27a|Growing [[nether wart]] is no longer restricted to the Nether – it can be grown in the [[Overworld]] and [[the End]].}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.4.2|dev=12w32a|Zombie pigmen can wear armor, and the sword they are holding makes them deal more damage.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w34a|Any mobs and entities can travel through nether portals.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=12w36a|Added [[wither skeleton]]s.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.4.6|dev=12w49a|Added nether brick slabs.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.5|dev=13w01a|[[Nether quartz ore]] is added to the Nether, which spawns around netherrack.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=13w02a|Lava flows more quickly in the Nether, and hidden lava can be found in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.6.1|dev=13w18a|[[Chest]]s can now be found in nether fortresses.}}
|{{HistoryLine||2013 Music Update|Four [[music]] tracks added for the Nether, including "Concrete Halls", "Dead Voxel", "Warmth" and "Ballad of the Cats".}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.7.2|dev=13w37a|Added the {{cmd|setblock}} command that can place water in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.8|dev=14w03a|Added the {{cmd|fill}} command that can place water in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=14w25a|Removed the item forms of water. The {{cmd|give}} command can no longer be used to get water in the Nether because water can no longer exist in inventories (just as a placed block). {{cmd|setblock}} or {{cmd|fill}} should be used in place of {{cmd|give}}.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.9|dev=15w31a|Removed the Nether fog.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=15w31c|Re-added the Nether fog.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=15w49a|The [[wither]] and [[ender dragon]] no longer travel through portals.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.10|dev=16w20a|[[Endermen]] now rarely spawn in the Nether, and can now pick up netherrack.
|Added magma blocks.
|Added [[red nether bricks]] and [[nether wart block]]s, which can be crafted but do not otherwise generate naturally in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.13|dev=18w06a|Vertical air cavities, stretching from bedrock level as far as Y{{=}}35 and filled with lava to Y{{=}}10, now occur in chains across the bottom of the Nether, often forming extensive canyons.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=18w19a|The [[biome]] "Hell" has been renamed to "Nether".}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=pre5|The biome ID of the Nether has been changed from <code>hell</code> to <code>nether</code>.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.14|dev=18w43a|Added nether brick walls and red nether brick slabs, stairs and walls.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=19w14a|[[Soul sand]] and [[gravel]] now generate around lava sea level instead of between y level 60 and 65.<ref>{{bug|MC-152207||Almost no naturally generating soul sand in nether wastes; changed soul sand generation after 1.13.2|WAI}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16|dev=20w06a|Added 3 new [[biome]]s to the Nether, the [[crimson forest]], [[warped forest]] and [[soul sand valley]], while renaming the original Nether biome to [[nether wastes]].
|Added [[ancient debris]], a rare [[ore]] that generates in the Nether.
|Added [[hoglin]]s, which spawn exclusively in the crimson forest in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w07a|Added [[piglin]]s, which spawn in both the crimson forest and nether wastes in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w09a|Changed the ambient lighting in the Nether, it is now much darker}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w10a|Added [[ambience]] to the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w11a|Added [[twisting vines]] to the warped forest biome in the Nether.
|Added [[nether gold ore]] to the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w13a|Added [[strider]]s, which spawn on lava lakes.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w15a|Added the [[basalt deltas]] biome to the Nether.
|Added 3 new [[music]] tracks including: "Chrysopoeia", "Rubedo" and "So Below".}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=20w16a|Added [[bastion remnant]]s to the Nether. 
|Added [[ruined portal]]s, which can generate in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.2|dev=20w27a|Added [[piglin brute]]s, which spawn in bastion remnants.}}

|{{HistoryLine|pocket alpha}}
|{{HistoryLine||April 22, 2015|link={{tweet|_tomcc|590916949028294656}}|[[Tommaso Checchi]] tweets a picture of the Nether, showing that it is officially in development.
|He later tweets a refusal to state how finished it is or the planned version.<ref>{{tweet|_tomcc|590917082071576576|I won't tell you in which version that's going to be out though, neither how finished that is :)|April 22, 2015}}</ref>}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.12.1|dev=build 1|Added the Nether.
|Water can be placed in the Nether by breaking ice.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=build 6|Lava now spreads faster in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.15.0|dev=build 1|Endermen can now spawn in the Nether, and can now pick up netherrack.}}
|{{HistoryLine||v0.16.0|dev=build 1|Water cannot be placed in the Nether without inventory editing or using commands.}}
|{{HistoryLine|pocket}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.0.0|Four [[music]] tracks added for the Nether, including "Concrete Halls", "Dead Voxel", "Warmth" and "Ballad of the Cats".}} 
|{{HistoryLine||1.1.3|dev=alpha 1.1.3.0|Added magma blocks.
|Added [[red nether bricks]] and [[nether wart block]]s, which can be crafted but do not otherwise generate naturally in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|bedrock}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.0|dev=beta 1.16.0.51|Added 3 new [[biome]]s to the Nether, the [[crimson forest]], [[warped forest]] and [[soul sand valley]].
|Added [[ancient debris]], a rare [[ore]] that generates in the Nether.
|Added [[hoglin]]s and [[piglin]]s, hoglins spawn exclusively in the [[crimson forest]] in the Nether, while piglins spawn in both the crimson forest and nether wastes in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine|||dev=beta 1.16.0.57|Added [[ambience]] to the Nether.
|Added [[nether gold ore]] to the Nether.
|Added [[strider]]s, which spawn on lava lakes.
|Added the [[basalt deltas]] biome to the Nether.
|Added 3 new [[music]] tracks including: "Chrysopoeia", "Rubedo" and "So Below".
|Added [[bastion remnant]]s to the Nether. 
|Added [[ruined portal]]s, which can generate in the Nether.
|Gravel and [[blackstone]] patch can now generate below lava sea level in the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.16.20|dev=beta 1.16.20.50|Added [[piglin brute]]s, which spawn in bastion remnants.}}

|{{HistoryLine|console}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU1|xbone=CU1|ps3=1.00|psvita=1.00|ps4=1.00|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|Added the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU9|Added new music to the Nether.
|Added [[nether fortress]]es.
|Added Reset Nether option to force regeneration of the Nether. This is helpful for older saves that didn't have a nether fortress.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU12|xbone=CU1|ps3=1.00|psvita=1.00|ps4=1.00|wiiu=Patch 1|switch=1.0.1|The build limit has been increased from 128 to 256, allowing players to build on top of the roof.}}
|{{HistoryLine||xbox=TU43|xbone=CU33|ps3=1.36|psvita=1.36|ps4=1.36|wiiu=Patch 13|Endermen can now spawn in the Nether, and can now pick up netherrack.
|Added [[magma block]]s.
|Added [[red nether bricks]] and [[nether wart block]]s, which can be crafted, but do not otherwise generate naturally in the Nether.}}

|{{HistoryLine|new 3ds}}
|{{HistoryLine||0.1.0|Added the Nether.}}
|{{HistoryLine||1.3.12|Improved view distance.}}
}}

== Issues ==
{{issue list}}

== Trivia ==
*Upon entering the Nether as a single player, the passage of time freezes in the Overworld and resumes when the player returns unless the {{cmd|forceload}} command is used. This is due to the spawn chunks no longer being ticked, and not [[chunk]]s loading and unloading as some players believe. The spawn chunks are kept loaded when there are no players in the Overworld, but most things other than basic redstone stop working.
*Names considered for the Nether included "Inferno"<ref>{{tweet|notch|28439685286|Inferno's a pretty good name!|October 23, 2010}}</ref>, "the Ways"<ref>{{tweet|notch|28439685286|the ways would be a neat homage to WoT..|October 23, 2010}}</ref>, "the Nexus"<ref>{{tweet|notch|28481318257|not bad! :-D|October 23, 2010}}</ref>, and "the Core"<ref>{{tweet|notch|29088769634|"The Core"! I like that.|October 29, 2010}}</ref>. During development, the names "Hell" and "the Slip" were used as placeholders.
*The numbers for the 3 dimensions are -1=the Nether, 0=Overworld, 1=the End. This contributes to a misconception that the Nether is "below" the Overworld.
** Notch described the "Nether" as a metaphorical name, rather than a reference to the actual physical location of the dimension.<ref>{{tweet|notch|2856039649116160|Metaphorical "down there"! Because it's called the "Nether". *shifty eyes*|November 12, 2010}}</ref>
** Dinnerbone has also confirmed that they are simply separate dimensions.<ref>{{tweet|dinnerbone|1319344791243677697|Separate dimension. It's a common belief but it's not what we're going for, sorry!|October 22, 2020}}</ref>
*{{IN|bedrock}}, if a section of the bedrock ceiling is removed (e.g., through commands) mobs can spawn directly below where the ceiling should be, despite the surface density cap in the Nether being 0.
*{{IN|console}}, the size of the Nether is limited, with bedrock walls surrounding it on all sides. The Overworld-Nether ratio varies depending on the world size: it is 1:3 for Classic and Small worlds, 1:6 for Medium worlds, and 1:8 (the same as ''Java'' and Bedrock editions) for Large worlds.
*The crimson and warped forest biomes are suggested to decontaminate the Nether environment from potential landfill pollution that coincides with the presence of [[ancient debris]].<ref>{{mcnet|taking-inventory--netherite-scrap|Taking Inventory: Netherite Scrap|March 25, 2021|Duncan Geere}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
=== Screenshots ===
<gallery>
View Fortress.png|View of a nether fortress.
Netherfortressbasaltdelta.png|View of a nether fortress in [[basalt deltas]].
Nether Spawner.png|View of nether fortresses with a blaze [[monster spawner]].
Nether Lavafall.png|A large, spreading stream of lava in the Nether.
Swimming Ghasts.jpg|Ghasts are not harmed by lava or fire.
Bedrock Hole.png|Bedrock naturally exposed in the Nether.
Nether Map.gif|Using a map in the Nether causes the player's position indicator to rotate, but any markers do not.
HiddenlavainNether.png|A hidden lava source block uncovered.
Mushrooms naturally generated above the nether.png|Mushrooms naturally generated above the Nether.
Nether Magma Block.png|The [[magma block]] naturally generated in the Nether.
Nether canyon.jpg|A Nether [[canyon]].
Gravel in Nether.png|[[Gravel]] in the Nether.
Buffetnether.png|The Nether in the Overworld, generated using [[Buffet]].
All nether biomes.png|The junction of all biomes in the Nether.
Basaltdelta.png|The basalt deltas, one of the five new biomes in the Nether.
Bedrock celing.jpg|The Nether ceiling, which is a vast endless plane of bedrock with a red sky of the void.
Soul Sand Valley2.png|View of a [[soul sand valley]].
Soul Sand Valley Bright.png|Brightened version of the previous screenshot.
Crimson Forest2.png|View of the [[crimson forest]].
Crimson Forest Bright.png|Brightened.
Basalt Deltas2.png|View of the [[basalt deltas]].
Basalt Deltas Bright.png|Brightened.
Warped Forest2.png|View of the [[warped forest]].
Warped Forest Bright.png|Brightened.
All nether biomes 20w14a.png|An intersection of four different nether biomes.
Water in the nether by waterlogging.png|Historically there have been many glitches enabling water to be placed in the Nether.
Netherfarlands.png|The Far Lands in the Nether.
2022-09-10 (7).png|The Far Lands exposing the Nether roof.
</gallery>

=== Development images ===
<gallery>
Halloween Update Screenshot.png|The first screenshot released by [[Notch]] showing what the Nether would look like.
Netherrack-first.jpg|The first screenshot released by [[Jeb]] in September 2011 of [[nether fortress]]es.
Nbrick.png|Brightened version of the previous screenshot.
New Nether 2.jpg|Another early view of a nether fortress Jeb released in September 2011.
New Nether 2 bright.jpg|Brightened.
OldNether.png|The Nether as it appeared prior to [[Beta 1.8]].
</gallery>

=== In other media ===
<gallery>
File:Alex in the Nether.jpg|Artwork of [[Alex]] in the Nether.
File:Piglin Head Animation.jpg|[[Sunny]] using a [[piglin head]] on a [[note block]] in a [[crimson forest]].
File:Nether Wastes MCD.png|[[MCD:Nether Wastes|Nether Wastes]] as they appear in ''[[Minecraft Dungeons]]''.
File:MCA25 12-13.jpg|[[Efe]] in the Nether, from [[Minecraft Annual 2025]].
File:LEGO The Nether.png|A ''[[Lego Minecraft]]'' Micro World set of the Nether.
File:LEGOMCTheNetherBastionBoxed.png|A minifigure-scale ''LEGO Minecraft'' set of the Nether. 
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/visit-nether- Visit the Nether!] by Duncan Geere — Minecraft.net on October 11, 2019
*[https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/nightmares-nether Nightmares in the Nether] by Kelsey Howard — Minecraft.net on June 9, 2020
*[https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-nether-and-i The Nether and I] by Sofia Dankis — Minecraft.net on June 14, 2020
*[https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/a-briefish-history-nether A briefish history of the Nether] by Sofia Dankis — Minecraft.net on March 8, 2021
*{{ytl|-7LsK-RtAWY|Minecraft: The Great Wild {{!}} The Nether|Minecraft|August 26, 2023}}
== Navigation ==
{{Navbox environment}}

[[Category:Dimensions|N]]

[[cs:Nether]]
[[de:Nether]]
[[es:El Nether]]
[[fr:Le Nether]]
[[hu:Az Alvilág]]
[[it:Nether]]
[[ja:ネザー]]
[[ko:네더]]
[[lzh:焱界]]
[[nl:De Nether]]
[[pl:Nether]]
[[pt:O Nether]]
[[ru:Нижний мир]]
[[th:เนเธอร์]]
[[uk:Незер]]
[[zh:下界]]
