Minecraft Structures: A Reference Guide to Generated Formations

Key Takeaways

Point	Details
Structures are generated formations	Structures are generated formations that can be located with /locate structure and disabled via the 'Generate Structures' option.
The Overworld has the	The Overworld has the most diverse structures, split into underground, aboveground, and underwater categories.
Structure-like features (monster rooms,	Structure-like features (monster rooms, desert wells) generate regardless of the 'Generate Structures' setting.
The Nether and End	The Nether and End contain far fewer structures than the Overworld.
Structure generation happens chunk-by-chunk	Structure generation happens chunk-by-chunk after the terrain is formed, and they can spill into neighboring chunks.

What Are Generated Structures in Minecraft?

According to the Structure page, structures (also known as a "generated structure" or "structure feature") are naturally-generated formations that can be located using /locate structure and will not spawn in the world when the "Generate Structures" option is disabled during world creation. In Java Edition, players can generate structures using /place.

Structures (also known as a "generated structure" or "structure feature") are naturally-generated formations that can be located using /locate structure and will not spawn in the world when the "Generate Structures" option is disabled during world creation.‌[JE only] Players can generate structures using /place.

How Structure Generation Works in a Chunk

The Structure page explains that structures are generated for a given chunk after the terrain has been formed. The chunk format includes a tag called TerrainPopulated that indicates whether structures whose "point of origin" is in that chunk have been generated. When structures are generated, they can spill over into neighboring chunks that have been previously generated.

Structures are generated for a given chunk after the terrain has been formed.

Overworld Structures by Location

The Overworld contains numerous structures at a wide variety of scales. These can be categorized by their generation location:

• Underground structures: These can generate only underground in any default Overworld. Examples include mineshafts and strongholds.
• Above ground structures: These generate only aboveground, such as villages and temples.
• Aboveground and underground structures: These generate in both locations.
• Underwater structures: These generate in Ocean biomes.

For players looking to gear up, looting strongholds is a great way to find high-tier enchantments, which you can learn more about in our guide on How to Obtain Mending in Minecraft.

These structures can generate only underground in any default Overworld.

Navigating the Nether and the End

The Nether, though equally vast, contains far fewer structures than the Overworld. Looting a bastion remnant or exploring a Nether fortress are key goals in this dimension. The End is the final and most barren dimension. After defeating the ender dragon, gateways to the outer islands are created.

The Nether, though equally vast, contains far fewer structures than the Overworld.

Understanding Structure-Like Features

Certain features, such as monster rooms or desert wells, still generate when the "Generate Structures" option is disabled. These are listed under structure-like features due to their resemblance to other defined structures. They cannot be located using the /locate command.

Certain features, such as monster rooms or desert wells, still generate when this option is disabled and are listed under § Structure-like features due to their resemblance to other defined structures.

Locating Structures with Commands

Both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition support the /locate command to find structures. The following table lists configured structure features' IDs in Java Edition and structure features' IDs in Bedrock Edition. These IDs can be used in the /locate command. In Java Edition, there are some structure tags in the vanilla game.

The following table lists configured structure features' IDs in Java Edition and structure features' IDs in Bedrock Edition.