Finding your Minecraft server address is simpler than you think, but the method depends on whether you’re running the server yourself or playing on someone else’s. Let’s cut through the confusion and get you connected.
Quick Answer: Where to Find Your Minecraft Server Address
Your Minecraft server address is the IP address or domain name that identifies your server on the network. For self-hosted servers, it’s your public IP address (found at whatismyipaddress.com) plus the port number (default: 25565). For hosted servers, your provider gives you the address in your control panel. Players need this address to join your world.
Finding Your Server Address Based on Setup Type
If You’re Hosting on Your Own Computer
When you’re running a Minecraft server from your home PC, you need your public IP address. Here’s the fastest way:
- Open your web browser and go to whatismyipaddress.com or search “what is my IP” on Google
- Copy the IP address displayed (looks like 192.168.1.1 or similar)
- Your full server address is this IP plus the port: 192.168.1.1:25565
- If you’re using the default port (25565), players can skip the port number
Important: This only works if you’ve already set up port forwarding on your router. Without it, players outside your network can’t connect.
If You’re Using a Hosting Provider
Server hosts make this dead simple. Your control panel shows the exact address you need:
- Log into your hosting dashboard
- Look for “Server Address,” “Connection Details,” or “Server IP”
- Copy the provided address (might be an IP or custom domain)
- Share this exact address with your players
Professional hosting eliminates the headaches of IP changes and port configuration. GameTeam.io provides instant server addresses starting at just $1/GB, with 20% off for new customers—no technical setup required.
If Someone Else Runs the Server
You can’t find another player’s server address without them sharing it. The server owner needs to give you the connection details directly. There’s no in-game directory or search function for private servers.
How to Check Your Server Address from Inside the Server
Already running your server but forgot the address? Here’s how to retrieve it:
Using the Server Console
If you have access to the server console or terminal:
- Open your server console window
- Look for startup messages showing the server IP and port
- You’ll see lines like “Starting Minecraft server on *:25565”
- The asterisk means it’s listening on all network interfaces
Checking the Server Properties File
Your server configuration file contains the connection details:
- Navigate to your Minecraft server folder
- Open server.properties with any text editor
- Find the line server-port=25565 (or whatever port you set)
- Check server-ip= (if blank, it uses your public IP)
This tells you the port, but you still need your public IP address from whatismyipaddress.com to give players the complete address.
Common Server Address Problems and Fixes
Players Can’t Connect to Your IP Address
If friends can’t join using your IP, check these usual suspects:
- Port forwarding isn’t configured: Your router blocks external connections by default
- Firewall blocking connections: Windows Firewall or antivirus might block Java
- Wrong IP address: You gave them your local IP (192.168.x.x) instead of your public IP
- Dynamic IP changed: Your ISP reassigned your public IP address
The can’t resolve hostname error is another common issue when players mistype the address or DNS settings are incorrect.
Your IP Address Keeps Changing
Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. This breaks your server address every time it happens. Solutions:
- Use a dynamic DNS service (DDNS) like No-IP or DuckDNS to create a permanent domain name
- Ask your ISP about a static IP address (usually costs extra)
- Switch to managed hosting where the address never changes
Want to skip the technical hassle? Adding a custom domain name to your server makes it memorable and permanent—no more sharing complicated IP addresses.
Local vs. External Server Addresses
Here’s something that trips up new server owners: you need different addresses depending on where players connect from.
For players on your home network: Use your local IP address (found by typing “ipconfig” in Windows Command Prompt or “ifconfig” in Mac Terminal). It starts with 192.168 or 10.0.
For players outside your network: Use your public IP address from whatismyipaddress.com.
You can’t connect to your own server using the public IP from inside your network—that’s a router limitation. Use “localhost” or “127.0.0.1” instead when testing locally.
Using Custom Domains Instead of IP Addresses
Nobody wants to remember 198.51.100.42:25565. Custom domains make your server professional and easy to share:
- Easier to remember: myawesomeserver.com beats a string of numbers
- Looks more professional: Great for community servers or content creators
- Survives IP changes: Update the DNS record once; players keep using the same domain
- Builds your brand: Custom domains make your server feel legitimate
Most domain registrars let you point your domain to your server IP through DNS A records. The process takes about 10 minutes and works with both self-hosted and managed servers.
Best Practices for Managing Server Addresses
Keep these tips in mind to avoid connection headaches:
- Document your address: Write down your server IP, port, and any domain names in a safe place
- Test from outside your network: Ask a friend to connect before announcing your server publicly
- Monitor your IP address: Set up alerts if your dynamic IP changes
- Use consistent ports: Stick with 25565 unless you have a specific reason to change it
- Keep connection details private: Only share your server address with trusted players unless you want it public
Professional hosting eliminates most of these concerns. With providers like GameTeam.io, you get a permanent server address, automatic backups, and zero configuration—just pure gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find a Minecraft server address without the owner telling me?
No. Private server addresses aren’t publicly listed anywhere. The server owner must share the connection details directly. Public servers usually post their addresses on forums, Discord, or server listing websites.
Why does my server address show as 0.0.0.0 in the console?
That’s normal. 0.0.0.0 means your server is listening on all available network interfaces. Players still connect using your actual public IP address, not 0.0.0.0.
Do I need to include the port number in my server address?
Only if you’re using a non-standard port. The default Minecraft port (25565) doesn’t need to be specified. If you changed it to something else like 25566, players must include it: yourip:25566.
How do I find my Minecraft Realms server address?
You can’t. Realms doesn’t expose server addresses—players join through the Realms menu using invitations. This is a limitation of the Realms service compared to traditional servers.
Can I use a free domain name for my Minecraft server?
Yes. Services like Freenom offer free domains, and DDNS providers give you free subdomains (like yourserver.ddns.net). They work perfectly fine for Minecraft servers, though paid domains look more professional.
Skip the Technical Headaches
Finding and managing server addresses is straightforward once you know where to look. Self-hosting gives you complete control but comes with networking challenges, changing IPs, and constant maintenance. Managed hosting hands you a permanent address that just works—no port forwarding, no IP monitoring, no technical troubleshooting.
The choice depends on whether you want to spend time configuring networks or actually playing Minecraft. Either way, you now know exactly how to find your server address and get your friends connected.
