Finding your Minecraft server’s IP address is simpler than most players think, but the exact method depends on whether you’re running a hosted server, self-hosting at home, or trying to connect to someone else’s world.
Quick Answer: How to Find Your Minecraft Server IP
If you’re using a hosting provider, your server IP is in your control panel dashboard or welcome email. For self-hosted servers, run ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux) in your terminal to find your local IP. For external connections, search “what is my IP” in Google to get your public IP address. You’ll also need to check your server port, typically 25565 for Java Edition.
Finding the IP Address for Hosted Minecraft Servers
Most players use hosting services because they’re easier to manage and don’t require keeping your personal computer running 24/7. Here’s where to look:
Check Your Hosting Dashboard
Log into your server hosting control panel. The IP address is usually displayed prominently on the main dashboard or overview page. It’ll look something like 123.45.67.89:25565 or a domain name like play.yourserver.com.
Some providers give you a dedicated IP address, while others use a shared IP with a unique port number. Both work perfectly fine for connecting players to your server.
Looking for reliable Minecraft hosting? GameTeam.io offers high-performance servers starting at $1/GB with 20% off for new customers—no complicated setup required.
Check Your Welcome Email
When you first set up your server, your hosting provider sent connection details to your email. Search your inbox for terms like “server details,” “connection information,” or your hosting provider’s name. The email typically includes your IP address, port number, and FTP credentials.
Finding IP Address for Self-Hosted Servers
Running a server from your own computer requires knowing two different IP addresses: your local network IP for testing and your public IP for friends to connect.
Getting Your Local IP Address
For Windows:
- Press Windows Key + R to open Run dialog
- Type cmd and press Enter
- Type ipconfig and press Enter
- Look for “IPv4 Address” under your active network connection
- It’ll show something like 192.168.1.X
For Mac:
- Open System Preferences
- Click Network
- Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
- Your IP address displays on the right side
For Linux:
- Open Terminal
- Type ifconfig or ip addr show
- Find your active network interface (usually eth0 or wlan0)
- Look for the inet address
This local IP only works for players on your same network. Your roommate or family members can use it, but internet friends cannot.
Finding Your Public IP Address
For players outside your home network to connect, they need your public IP address. This is what your internet service provider assigns to your router.
The easiest method: Google “what is my IP” and it displays right at the top of search results. Alternatively, visit websites like whatismyip.com or use the command line tool curl ifconfig.me in Terminal.
Your public IP looks different from local IPs—something like 73.156.42.89. Share this with friends along with your server port (default is 25565).
Important: You’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router for external connections to work. This tells your router to send Minecraft traffic to the computer running your server. Learn more about configuring server addresses for external access.
Finding Another Player’s Server IP
Trying to reconnect to a server you’ve joined before? The IP address is saved in your Minecraft client.
Check Your Server List
Open Minecraft and click Multiplayer. Your previously joined servers appear in the list. The IP address or domain name displays under each server name. If you can’t see it clearly, click Edit on the server entry to view the full address.
Check Your Server.dat File
Minecraft stores server information in a file on your computer. Navigate to your Minecraft directory (press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%\.minecraft and press Enter on Windows). Look for servers.dat in the main folder.
You’ll need an NBT editor to read this file properly, as it’s not plain text. Programs like NBTExplorer can open it and show all saved server addresses.
Understanding Server Addresses vs IP Addresses
You might see servers using domain names like play.hypixel.net instead of raw IP addresses. These are easier to remember and look more professional.
Domain names point to IP addresses through DNS (Domain Name System). When you type a domain into Minecraft, it automatically looks up the corresponding IP address. Both work identically for connecting to servers.
If you run your own server, you can purchase a domain name and point it to your server IP. This costs around $10-15 per year and makes sharing your server address much simpler. Check out our guide on verifying server IPs to ensure your DNS is configured correctly.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
Found your IP address but still can’t connect? Here are the most common problems:
Wrong Port Number
Minecraft Java Edition uses port 25565 by default. If your server uses a different port, you must include it in the address like 123.45.67.89:25566. The colon separates the IP from the port number.
Firewall Blocking Connections
Your computer’s firewall might block incoming Minecraft connections. Add an exception for Java and the Minecraft server executable in your firewall settings. Windows Defender Firewall and third-party security software both need configuration.
Server Not Running
This sounds obvious, but make sure your server is actually running. Self-hosted servers need the server software actively running on your computer. Hosted servers should show as “online” in your control panel.
Dynamic IP Changes
Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. If your server suddenly becomes unreachable, your public IP might have changed. Check it again and share the new address with players. Consider using a dynamic DNS service to automatically update your domain name when your IP changes.
Learn more about checking and validating server addresses to avoid connection problems.
Security Considerations When Sharing Your IP
Your server IP isn’t particularly sensitive information—you’re literally giving it out for people to connect—but your public IP does reveal your general geographic location and ISP.
Only share your server IP with people you want playing on your server. Use whitelisting to control who can actually join. This prevents random players from finding your IP address through server lists and causing problems.
For self-hosted servers, never share your local network IP publicly. It’s useless to external players anyway and could indicate you’re running services on your home network.
FAQ
Can I find a Minecraft server IP without joining it?
Not directly. Server IPs aren’t publicly listed unless the server owner shares them on websites, Discord servers, or social media. Some server listing websites display IPs for public servers, but private servers remain hidden unless you’re given the address.
Why does my Minecraft server IP keep changing?
Home internet connections typically use dynamic IP addresses that your ISP changes periodically. Using a hosting provider gives you a static IP that never changes, or you can set up dynamic DNS (DDNS) to automatically update a domain name with your current IP.
What’s the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 for Minecraft servers?
IPv4 addresses look like 123.45.67.89 while IPv6 looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Most Minecraft servers use IPv4 because it’s universally supported. IPv6 works but requires both server and client to support it, and many home networks haven’t fully implemented IPv6 yet.
Can I use the same IP for Java and Bedrock editions?
The IP address is the same, but Java Edition uses port 25565 by default while Bedrock uses port 19132. You can run both server types on the same machine using different ports, and players connect to the same IP with their respective port numbers.
How do I hide my server IP from players?
You can’t completely hide it since players need the IP to connect. However, using a domain name instead of the raw IP provides a layer of abstraction. Proxy services like BungeeCord or Velocity can hide your main server IP by having players connect to a proxy server first.
Get Your Server Running Today
Finding your Minecraft server IP is straightforward once you know where to look. Hosted servers display it in your control panel, while self-hosted servers require checking your network settings. Remember that local IPs only work on your home network, and external players need your public IP with proper port forwarding configured.
Skip the headache of port forwarding and dynamic IPs—GameTeam.io handles all the technical setup for you with servers starting at just $1/GB. New customers get 20% off, and you’ll have your server IP ready to share within minutes.
