Nether portals feel random until you know the three rules the game follows. This guide explains how nether portals link, step by step, with examples you can test in the nether portal calculator.
Rule 1: coordinates scale 1 to 8
Going into the Nether, X and Z are divided by 8 and rounded down. Coming out, they are multiplied by 8. Y is never scaled. So Overworld 800 / 70 / −100 points to Nether 100 / 70 / −13.
Rule 2: the game searches around the target
The converted point is only a target. The game then searches for an existing portal around it, over the full height of the world:
- Java, arriving in the Nether: 16 blocks around the target.
- Java, arriving in the Overworld: 128 blocks around the target.
- Bedrock: 128 blocks around the target in both dimensions.
Rule 3: the closest portal wins
If several portals are in the search area, you arrive at the one closest to the target, measured in 3D (height counts). If none is found, the game generates a new portal near the target, which is why surprise portals appear on lava lakes or cliffs.
Why links break: the one-way trip
Two Overworld portals close together (for example a base and a gold farm 100 blocks apart) both point to the same Nether area. On Java the Nether search is 16 blocks, so both may find the same Nether portal. Coming back, that Nether portal can only lead to one of them, so the other link is one-way. The fix is to move one Overworld portal further away or build a separate Nether portal closer to its exact target.
| Portal | Goes to | Status | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add your portals above, or load the example, to see which portals link and which ones break. | |||
How to link portals every time
- Write down the coordinates of the portal you already have.
- Convert them with the calculator for your edition.
- Build the partner portal at the result, at a similar Y.
- Add both portals to the linking check and confirm “Linked both ways”.
- Break any unwanted generated portals so they can’t steal the link later.
How nether portals link: FAQ
How do nether portals link?
The game converts your position (÷8 or ×8 for X and Z), searches around that target for existing portals, and sends you to the closest one. If there is none, it builds a new portal.
Why do two portals go to the same nether portal?
Their converted targets are within the Nether search area of the same portal. Space Overworld portals at least 128 blocks apart on Java (more on Bedrock).
Do nether portals have to face the same way?
No. The direction a portal faces does not affect linking; only the position does.