The Nether is 8× smaller than the Overworld on the horizontal axis — 1 Nether block = 8 Overworld blocks. That single ratio is the whole trick behind fast travel: build a portal in the Nether and you move 8× faster across the map.
The 8:1 coordinate rule
- Overworld coords → Nether: divide X and Z by 8.
- Nether coords → Overworld: multiply X and Z by 8.
- Y stays roughly the same (use your portal’s Y for both).
Example: Overworld (800, 64, 800) → Nether (100, 64, 100). Walk 100 blocks in the Nether, re-enter, and you’re back at 800.
Building a working portal
- Minimum frame: 4×5 obsidian inside, lit with flint & steel or fire.
- The portal must fit within the nether coords for that region, or it links to a new portal elsewhere.
- Light it, step through, and the Nether portal spawns at the matching 8:1 location.
Linking two distant bases
- Build portal A in the Overworld (e.g. your home).
- Go through; note the Nether coords.
- Build portal B in the Overworld where you want to travel to (divide its coords by 8 = Nether target).
- In the Nether, walk from A’s nether coords toward B’s target until you’re within 128 blocks, then build portal B’s nether-side frame.
When both nether portals are within 128 blocks, they link to the same Nether portal, and each overworld portal routes correctly.
Nether highway tips
- Use piston-based elevators or just build a straight tunnel with glass and ice for ice-boat highways (boats on packed/blue ice are the fastest).
- Don’t build the highway directly on lava — raised bridges or soul sand areas are safer.
- Bring a repaired pick and gold (piglin trades); light your route.
Troubleshooting
- Portal spawns in the wrong place: overworld portals >128 blocks apart can share one Nether portal. Break the extra one or move it into range.
- Can’t find your nether exit: record both sets of coords before you build.
Use the Nether Portal Calculator on ChunkScope to convert coords instantly and plan links.