Can you make a 3×3 nether portal?

Yes, it is possible to make a 3×3 nether portal in Minecraft. The nether portal is a structure that allows players to travel between the regular world and the Nether. By default, nether portals generate as a 4×5 rectangle when first created by lighting obsidian on fire. However, players can customize the shape and size of nether portals if they wish. Making a 3×3 nether portal is a simple process that just requires some additional obsidian and flint and steel to light it.

What is the Standard Nether Portal Size?

The default size for a nether portal in Minecraft is 4 blocks wide by 5 blocks tall, making a rectangle shape. This requires 10 obsidian blocks to build initially. When first constructed and lit on fire, the portal generates its purple swirling texture inside these dimensions.

The standard 4×5 size was chosen by Minecraft developers as the minimum viable shape for a nether portal. This size allows the player to comfortably walk through in either direction. However, nothing limits players from experimenting with bigger or smaller nether portal designs.

Why Make a Smaller 3×3 Nether Portal?

There are a few potential reasons to make a 3×3 nether portal rather than the standard 4×5 version:

• Save on obsidian – A 3×3 portal only requires 9 obsidian blocks to build rather than 10 for the default. This can save resources in the early game.
• Fit in tighter spaces – Sometimes the terrain or existing builds leave only a 3-block wide gap to work with for a nether portal.
• Aesthetic choice – Some players prefer the look of a smaller, more minimal portal.
• Challenge – Trying unconventional portal designs can be fun and provide a challenge.

While functional, very small portals like a 3×3 can sometimes be trickier to navigate through quickly due to their confined space. But for players looking to conserve resources or fit a nether portal into a tight custom space, a 3×3 can work great.

How to Build a 3×3 Nether Portal

Building a functional 3×3 nether portal follows nearly the same steps as the default 4×5 version:

1. Gather at least 9 obsidian blocks – You’ll need 9 to build the 3×3 portal frame.
2. Choose a location – Pick a spot in the Overworld or Nether where you want your custom portal.
3. Build a 3-wide by 3-tall obsidian frame – Place the obsidian in a upright rectangle shape 3 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall.
4. Light the obsidian portal frame on fire – Use flint and steel or a fire charge to ignite the portal which will trigger it to become active.

That’s all there is to it! Once lit, your 3×3 nether portal should begin functioning just like any other portal, allowing direct fast travel between the Overworld and Nether dimensions.

Step-by-Step 3×3 Nether Portal Tutorial

For players who are very new to building nether portals in Minecraft, follow along with these step-by-step instructions to construct your first 3×3 portal:

1. Collect at least 9 obsidian – You’ll need 9 obsidian blocks minimum to complete the portal frame. Obsidian is created by placing water on top of lava to turn it to obsidian rock. Use a diamond pickaxe to mine it.
2. Choose a flat open location – Look for a spot that has enough horizontal clearance for a 3-block wide rectangle shape. Both the Overworld and Nether dimensions work.
3. Dig holes 3 blocks wide and 3 blocks deep – Use your pickaxe to dig out a rectangular hole that is 3 blocks wide by 3 blocks long horizontally. Dig down a total of 3 blocks vertically also.
4. Place obsidian in the edges of the hole – Take your 9 obsidian blocks and place them into the sides of the dug out hole, creating a upright obsidian frame that is 3 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall.
5. Light the obsidian frame on fire – Use flint and steel or a fire charge item to light one of the obsidian blocks on fire. The portal should ignite, showing the interior swirling purple texture.
6. Allow time for portal to activate – It may take up to one full in-game day/night cycle for the portal to fully activate. After activating it can be used for swift Nether travel!

And that’s it! Your custom 3×3 nether portal should now be operational. Walking through it while in the Overworld will transport you to a corresponding portal in the Nether. And using the Nether side portal will return you to the Overworld version. Enjoy your new compact 3×3 nether gateway!

Nether Portal Size Limitations

While Minecraft players can build nether portals bigger or smaller than the 4×5 standard dimensions, there are some technical limits on functional sizes:

• Minimum portal size is 2×3 – Portals smaller than 2 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall will not properly activate.
• Maximum size limit is 23×23 – Game mechanics prevent portals larger than 23×23 from spawning completed.
• Optimal height is 3-4 blocks – Vertical heights between 3-4 blocks seem to be the most stable. Too short or tall can prevent portal activation.
• Must be upright rectangular – Only upright rectangular portals work correctly. Other shapes may not activate properly.

As long as players stay within these general size constraints, experimenting with unconventional nether portal designs is entirely possible. A 3×3 portal fits nicely within the minimum and maximum size limits.

Linking Overworld and Nether 3×3 Portals

When completed, the 3×3 nether portal in the Overworld will automatically link to a corresponding 3×3 portal created in the Nether dimension. By stepping through one portal, you will emerge from the other linked one.

The game calculates precise coordinates where to generate the linked Nether side portal. Typically no additional work is needed to link Overworld and Nether portals. But issues can sometimes occur preventing automatic linking.

If your custom 3×3 Overworld portal does not seem to link to a Nether version, try constructing a matching 3×3 portal manually in the Nether. Calculate coordinates by dividing the Overworld coordinates by 8.

Example:
Overworld portal at X: 56, Y: 64 Z: -22
Nether portal at X: 56/8=7, Y: 64, Z: -22/8=-3

Lighting the Nether side portal should complete the link allowing seamless travel between the two worlds.

Activating a Nether Portal without Flint and Steel

Normally a nether portal is activated by using flint and steel or fire charges to ignite the obsidian frame. But other methods can also trigger a nether portal:

• Using lava buckets or a lava source block to ignite obsidian.
• Placing fire blocks like netherrack, campfires, etc next to the portal temporarily.
• Having ghasts or blazes shoot fireballs at the portal frame.
• Activating nearby TNT or other explosions like creepers.
• Striking flint and steel very close to the obsidian but not directly on it.
• Lighting wooden blocksattached to the portal (not recommended).

Any source of fire or heat next to or on the portal frame should successfully activate it once the flames make contact. Just be careful of any collateral damage or risk of fires spreading unintentionally.

Can You Build a Nether Portal Without a Diamond Pickaxe?

Diamond pickaxes are normally required to mine obsidian for nether portal construction. But technically there are a couple methods of obtaining obsidian without a diamond pickaxe:

• Use Obsidian Generators – Combine water and lava to create obsidian which you can harvest.
• Obtain obsidian from loot chests in bastions, nether fortresses, etc.
• Trade with piglins to get obsidian as an occasional bartering outcome.
• Use commands like /give to obtain obsidian blocks instantly.

So it is possible, although very difficult, to build a nether portal without actually having a diamond pickaxe. You would need an existing source of water and lava to create the obsidian through an obsidian generator design.

It’s recommended to simply spend time mining diamonds first before attempting nether portal construction for the most efficient experience. But in a pinch the obsidian generator method can work.

How to Light a Nether Portal Without Flint and Steel

Assuming you’ve already built the obsidian frame, here are some methods to ignite a nether portal without using flint and steel:

1. Use a lava bucket – Scoop up lava in a bucket and directly pour or place it along the obsidian frame. The lava will ignite the portal.
2. Construct fire sources next to portal – Place combustible blocks like netherrack, campfires, lanterns or wood right up against the obsidian then light them on fire.
3. Have mobs shoot fireballs – Lure ghasts or blazes to shoot fire charges at the portal frame to light it.
4. Use TNT explosions – Activate TNT near the portal which can ignite the frame with explosions.
5. Make a flint and steel iron farm – Create an automatic iron and flint farm to produce and collect flint and steel renewably.

With some clever use of mobs, lava, explosives or firestarter blocks, lighting a nether portal without flint and steel is very achievable. Just be cautious not to accidentally spread fires where not intended.

Where is the Best Place to Build a Nether Portal?

Finding an ideal location to construct a nether portal requires some strategic considerations:

– Build near your main base or settlement – Locate your portal somewhere easily accessible from home for regular use and transporting items.

– Scout a wide flat area – Look for a spacious horizontal surface at least 4-5 blocks wide and tall to allow room for the portal structure.

– Light it up well – Illuminate the area around the portal thoroughly so mobs don’t spawn near it.

– Use aesthetic natural frames – Incorporate cave openings, large trees, etc to build the portal within to look nice.

– Avoid flammable blocks – Don’t build directly against or over wood blocks, leaves, etc that could catch fire.

– Elevate off the ground – Construct your portal on top of stone, cobble or obsidian platforms to avoid nearby ground fires.

– Link to a Nether hub – Build your portal near a central Nether transportation hub for convenient access to other points.

Taking time to find just the right spot for your nether portal build can make a huge difference in terms of functionality, aesthetics and convenience.

Nether Portal Trapping Dangers

While extremely useful tools for fast transit, nether portals can become dangerous traps if not built correctly:

• Zombie piglins can swarm players emerging from portals and attack in groups if provoked.
• Lava near portals can cause players to immediately burn or lose items if not careful.
• Exiting portals that open hundreds of blocks above the Nether’s lava seas leads to instant lethal falling damage.
• Portals placed inside the bounding box of blocks like fences or iron bars can trap players unable to move.
• Long link distances between Overworld and Nether portals can cause fall damage on arrival.
• Malformed portals that are asymmetric or unusual shapes can glitch and suffocate players.

The safest nether portal designs provide plenty of empty space on arrival, solid safe landing surfaces, and lit secure areas free of mob spawns. Taking precautions when engineering your nether gateway ensures smooth hassle-free transportation between dimensions.

Nether Portal Linking Problems and Solutions

If your nether portal doesn’t seem to link up correctly between the Overworld and Nether dimensions, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Portal takes you to a new location

– The game spawned a new portal instead of linking properly. Destroy the new portal, travel to original coordinates divided by 8 in the Nether, then rebuild portal there.

No portal generated in Nether

– Travel to the right coordinates based on Overworld portal location divided by 8 on each axis. Construct a new portal at Nether coordinates.

Portal block glitches

– Break and replace any misbehaving portal blocks that are not visually connecting. Re-light the portal after repairs.

Portal too small

– Resize to at least 2 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall for minimum portal size requirements.

Uneven portal shape

– Adjust portal to a complete upright rectangular shape with corners and sides matched.

Portal not lit

– Ensure portal is actively lit with flowing lava, fire blocks or other ignition sources. Relight if unlit.

Taking time to troubleshoot linking issues ensures seamless reliable transit through your custom nether portals.

Nether Portal Design Ideas

Beyond the basic rectangular portals, players have come up with creative ways to construct unique nether portals:

• Floating portals – Build platforms in the sky to hold portals high above the terrain.
• Circular gateways – Use non-portal blocks to disguise portal as a circular shape.
• Natural frames – Incorporate cave mouths, giant mushrooms or mossy cobble as decorative borders.
• Submerged portals – Construct underwater gateways with fences or glass walls to hold back water.
• Pixel art portals – Use different block colors to create pixel art designs within large portals.

The key is building the actual nether portal mechanics within decorative disguises to create stunning entrances to your nether transportation hubs or bases. With redstone and command blocks, you can even engineer portals that open and close dynamically.

Conclusion

Constructing unconventional nether portals like 3×3 designs allows for customization, compact footprint, and aesthetic appeal. Following the right steps for sizing portal frames, igniting with fire, and troubleshooting linking issues lets you successfully build highly functional small nether gates. A properly engineered nether portal serves as the key tool for rapid transit between the Overworld and the Nether dimension. Take time to make it both beautiful and practical!