Block Circle ToolsHow do you build a dome in Minecraft?
Build the widest ring first as layer 1. Then move the slider up one layer and place the next ring on top. Each ring is a little smaller than the one below it. Near the top, the rings turn into small filled caps. The last layer closes the roof.
The gray squares show the layer below, so you can see how far each ring steps in. On the lower layers the step is small and the wall looks almost straight. Near the top it steps in fast, and the roof turns flat.
How to use the dome tool
- Type the width of the dome in blocks.
- Leave "Half sphere height" on for a round dome, or turn it off and set a lower height for a flat dome, or a higher one for a tall onion shape.
- Choose hollow for a roof or filled for a solid hill.
- Step through the layers with the slider and the up and down buttons.
- Click blocks as you place them to track your progress.
How the shape is worked out
The dome is the top half of a sphere. With the default height, every layer matches the top layers of a ball of the same width from our sphere generator. When you change the height, the tool stretches the shape up or down, like half of an egg.
Keep block if (dx ÷ r)² + (dy ÷ height)² + (dz ÷ r)² ≤ 1, where r = width ÷ 2
A block is kept when its center is inside that shape. For a hollow dome, the tool keeps only blocks that touch empty space on one of their faces. The ground under layer 1 counts as solid, so the bottom stays an open ring and is not filled in.
Dome calculator: block counts
| Width | Height | Hollow | Filled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 5 | 105 | 229 |
| 15 | 8 | 285 | 984 |
| 25 | 13 | 809 | 4,353 |
| 31 | 16 | 1,233 | 8,132 |
| 51 | 26 | 3,393 | 35,826 |
| 101 | 51 | 13,313 | 274,067 |
Divide the total by 64 to see how many stacks to bring. Glass, stone and most other full blocks stack to 64.
Minecraft dome roof tips
- Build the bottom ring on top of your wall, then add a ring at a time. You can stand on the ring below to reach the next one.
- A flat dome with a height of about one third of the width looks good on wide halls.
- The top layer is a small flat cap, not a single block. Check its size on the last layer before you build up to it.
- Use a bright block for the center column while you build, then swap it out.
Related tools
FAQ
How tall is a dome?
A half sphere is about half as tall as it is wide. This tool rounds up, so a 25 wide dome is 13 blocks tall and a 24 wide dome is 12 tall. Uncheck "Half sphere height" to set your own height.
Does the dome include a floor?
No. The bottom layer of a hollow dome is a ring, so it can sit on top of a wall or on the ground. If you want a floor, use the filled circle from the circle generator at the same width.
Can I put a dome on a round tower?
Yes. Use the same width for the tower and the dome. The outer edge of the bottom layer is the same as a circle of that width from the circle generator, so the dome sits flush on the tower wall.
How do I make a dome house?
Build a round wall with a thick circle from the circle generator, a few blocks high. Then set this tool to the same width and build the dome on top of the wall. A door and windows can be cut into the wall once the roof is done.
What block is best for a dome roof?
Any full block works. Glass gives a bright greenhouse or a view of the sky. Stone, bricks or concrete give a solid roof. Slabs and stairs can smooth the steps later, but plan the shape with full blocks first.