Minecraft wiki entry for Measuring_distance, associated text: Distances in Minecraft are quite easy to measure. Officially [1], Minecraft uses the metric system, and each block is considered to be 1 cubic meter. When you measure long distances, it's easier to count if you mark the terrain with a space of 4 blocks between each marked block. The first marker represents a zero. Every second marker (ignoring the zero-mark) is then a 10-meter mark. Make a distinguished mark at the 21st marker to represent a hundred (100), because the first marker block represents zero (0). Use a sign to mark larger numbers to save time and resources.