1. Plan the size
Open the sphere & dome generator and set the shape to Dome. Pick a diameter:
| Diameter | Height | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 layers | Tower roofs, small observatories |
| 21 | 11 layers | Halls, greenhouses, castle keeps |
| 41 | 21 layers | Biodomes, arenas |
| 61 | 31 layers | Underwater bases, giant showpieces |
Choose an odd diameter. Odd sizes have one center block on every layer, which keeps everything symmetric and easy to count. Leave Hollow on, unless you want a solid hill.
Check the total block count in the generator, then paste it into the stack calculator to see how many shulker boxes of material to bring.
2. Mark the base
- Clear and flatten the area. Add a few blocks of space around the dome's width.
- Place a center marker, such as a block of wool, where the middle of the dome should be.
- From the center, count outward in all four directions to the edge of the bottom layer. Place markers at those four points. They line up with the yellow center lines in the generator.
- Build the first layer, the widest circle, using the four markers as a guide.
3. Build layer by layer
- In the generator, press ▶ to go to the next layer. The faded blocks show the layer you just built.
- Go up one block and place the new layer. Where the new layer steps inward, place blocks on top of the inner edge of the layer below.
- Near the bottom, each layer is almost the same as the one below. Near the top, layers shrink quickly, so build those carefully.
- Finish with the small cap at the top.
Use scaffolding or a pillar in the middle to reach the top layers in survival. Remove it when you are done.
4. Putting a dome on walls or a tower
A dome looks best sitting on round walls. Build the walls first with the circle generator using the same diameter as the dome and the "Thick" style, so the wall has no gaps. Stack that circle as high as you like, then start the dome's first layer directly on top. Because the dome's widest layer is the same circle as the walls, it lines up perfectly.
For a more detailed look, add a ring one block wider than the wall at the top of the tower, using stairs or slabs as a cornice, then start the dome above it.
5. Choosing blocks
- Glass: full glass blocks keep the curve clean and let light in. They are perfect for greenhouses and underwater bases. Panes connect oddly on curves, so avoid them for the main shell.
- Copper: copper blocks slowly oxidize to green, giving a classic weathered dome. Wax them with honeycomb to stop the color at the stage you like.
- Stone and deepslate: great for castles and temples. Mix two or three similar blocks for texture.
- Quartz or concrete: clean, modern domes.
- Frames: a glass dome with a few stone "ribs" running from bottom to top looks far more detailed than plain glass.
6. Common mistakes
- Losing the center. Keep a pillar or marker in the middle until the dome is finished, so every layer stays centered.
- Skipping a layer. Two layers can look almost the same near the bottom. Count the layer number in the generator as you go.
- Even diameters by accident. If your dome ends up with a 2×2 top, you used an even diameter. That is fine, but the center lines in the generator then fall between blocks.
- Running out of space. Remember the dome is half as tall as it is wide. Very large domes near the top of the world can hit the build limit.