How to see light level in Minecraft

Are you curious about light levels in Minecraft? In this blog post, you will learn all about light levels and how they work in the game. You will also find out about the 15 light levels and sources in your overworld and how you can create a more desirable atmosphere using them. So, let's jump into the topic to know what light levels actually are in Minecraft.

What Are Light Levels in Minecraft?

Light level is a measurement of how bright or dark a block is in the game. The game uses a light level scale of 0 to 15, with 0 being pitch black and 15 being the brightest possible light level.

Light level 0 is found in complete darkness, such as inside a cave or under a tree. If you are standing in light level 0, you will not be able to see anything except for your hand in front of your face.

Light level 1 is the minimum light level that is needed for hostile mobs to spawn. If you are standing in light level 1, you will be able to see a very small amount of your surroundings.

Light level 15 is the brightest possible light level in the game. If you are standing in light level 15, you will be able to see everything around you very clearly.

In the overworld, the time of day also affects the light level. For example, at noon the sun is at its highest point in the sky and therefore emits the brightest light level and other light sources don't glow in that light.

Command to See Light Level in Minecraft

In Minecraft you can see the light level of the block by using the “F3” menu or debug menu. This debug screen shows details like your coordinates, biome, and more information about the block you are looking at. The light level is represented by the number 0-15.

To see the light level of a specific block, go near the wall one block and aim at it. All the details will appear on the side "F3" menu. In some old versions, the creative mode was used to display the onscreen light levels.

Light Sources in Minecraft

There are two types of light sources in Minecraft, artificial and natural. Artificial light sources include torches, lanterns, glowstone, and Jack lanterns. Natural light sources include the sun, moon, and lava. Here is the list of both and their light levels:

All these light levels are used in different places according to their need like the sea lantern can only be found underwater, while the Jack o’ lantern is placed at the entrance of a house to make it look good. Different light levels create different atmospheres, which can be used to your advantage when decorating your world.

Why we Need Light Levels in Minecraft

Light levels are important in Minecraft because they affect many things in the game, for example, mobs can only spawn in areas with a light level of 7 or less. This means that if you want to prevent mobs from spawning, you need to make sure the area is well lit.

Moreover, different crops grow at different rates depending on the light level. Wheat, for example, will only grow at a light level of 9 or higher. So, if you want your crops to grow quickly, you need to make sure they are in an area with a high light level.

Light levels also affect the growth of trees. If you want your tree to grow quickly, you need to make sure it is in an area with a high light level.

The light levels also change with changing atmosphere, like at night time light level decreases which makes it difficult to see things. Here are some atmospheric light levels:

Smooth Lighting

Smooth lighting is a setting that averages the light level of blocks around it. This makes for more pleasant lighting and can make it easier to see in dark areas.

Smooth lighting directly affects the light level. It helps mainly in the detection of the light level of a light block that emits light.