You need 10 obsidian blocks for the smallest Nether portal frame without corners. Build a vertical frame 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall around a 2-by-3 opening, leaving out the four corner blocks.
How the 10-block minimum works
A complete 4-by-5 outer frame has 14 perimeter positions: 4 across the top, 4 across the bottom, and 3 on each side between them. The four corner positions are optional, so removing them leaves 10 obsidian blocks. The Minecraft Wiki describes the frame dimensions and notes that its corners are not required: Obsidian.
Build the cornerless frame
- Choose a vertical surface and mark a rectangle that is 4 blocks wide and 5 blocks tall on the outside.
- Place 3 obsidian blocks across the bottom between the two sides, and build each side 3 blocks higher. The opening inside the frame will be 2 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall.
- Place 3 obsidian blocks across the top between the sides. Leave the four outer corners empty.
- Ignite the inside of the frame with fire; flint and steel is one way to do this. See the Minecraft Wiki’s obsidian guide for the frame and ignition details.
Cornerless versus filled corners
| Frame style | Obsidian required | Opening | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum, corners omitted | 10 blocks | 2 by 3 blocks | Four frame corners are empty |
| All four corners filled | 14 blocks | 2 by 3 blocks | Four additional obsidian blocks complete the outer rectangle |
The Nether portal reference also describes the 2-by-3 opening and optional corners. The cited Minecraft Wiki gives a maximum outer frame size of 23 by 23 blocks; the 4-by-5 frame described here is the minimum.
Quick Recap
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