Mine coal ore blocks with a pickaxe
Look for coal ore in mountains, hills, caves, ravines, and exposed cliffs
Search underground between Y levels 0 and 320, especially around higher elevations
Break coal ore with any pickaxe to collect coal
Use a Fortune-enchanted pickaxe to get more coal
Trade with villagers if available in your version
Loot coal from chests in structures like villages, mineshafts, and dungeons
Smelt charcoal from wood logs as an alternative to coal