Misaligned portals can link to the wrong caves or merge with nearby builds. You can use the chat calculator to convert coordinates between dimensions and measure 3D distances before lighting your obsidian frame.
Converting Overworld and Nether Coordinates
1. Stand on the exact block in the Overworld where you plan to build your portal.
2. Press / to open chat and type /calculator nether ~ ~ ~.
3. Press Enter to see the converted Nether coordinates in your chat log, then travel to the Nether and build your second portal at that position.
4. If you find a structure in the Nether first and want to build an exit portal back home, use /calculator overworld to convert Nether positions into Overworld coordinates. Run /calculator help first if you need to check how to format the coordinate parameters.
Measuring Distance Between Two Points
Before linking multiple portals or digging tunnels between bases, check how far apart two locations actually are:
1. Note both sets of X, Y, and Z coordinates using the vanilla debug screen.
2. Run /calculator distance <x1> <y1> <z1> <x2> <y2> <z2> in chat.
3. Read the exact 3D distance from the chat log to plan your pathways or rail lines.