How to Find a Server Address on Minecraft

Finding a Minecraft server address depends entirely on where you’re trying to connect. If someone shared their server with you, they need to give you the IP address. If you’re running your own server, the address you need depends on whether you’re connecting from the same computer, your local network, or inviting friends from across the internet.

Quick Answer: How to Find Your Minecraft Server Address

For your own server: Use localhost or 127.0.0.1 if playing on the same computer. For local network players, find your internal IP through Command Prompt (ipconfig on Windows, ifconfig on Mac/Linux). For external players joining from outside your network, you need your public IP address (check whatismyip.com) plus the server port (default 25565). Hosted servers display the IP in your control panel dashboard.

Finding the Server Address for Different Scenarios

Connecting to Your Own Local Server

If you’re running a Minecraft server on your own computer and want to test it yourself, the simplest address is localhost. This special hostname always points to your own machine. You can also use the IP address 127.0.0.1, which does the exact same thing.

Open Minecraft, click Multiplayer, then Add Server, and enter either of these addresses. No port number needed if you’re using the default 25565 port.

Finding Your Local Network IP Address

When friends on the same WiFi network or household want to join your server, they need your internal IP address. Here’s how to find it:

Windows:

• Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
• Type cmd and press Enter
• Type ipconfig and hit Enter
• Look for “IPv4 Address” under your active network connection
• It’ll look something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.5

Mac or Linux:

• Open Terminal
• Type ifconfig (Mac) or ip addr (Linux)
• Find your active network interface (usually en0 on Mac, eth0 or wlan0 on Linux)
• Look for the inet address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0

Share this IP address with anyone on your local network. They’ll enter it in their Minecraft multiplayer server list, and they should connect immediately without any port forwarding needed.

Getting Your Public IP for External Players

For friends connecting from outside your home network, you need your public IP address. This is the address your internet service provider assigns to your router.

Visit whatismyip.com or simply Google “what is my IP” – it’ll show you right at the top of search results. This public IP changes occasionally unless you pay for a static IP from your ISP.

Important: External connections require port forwarding setup on your router. You need to forward port 25565 (or whatever custom port you’re using) to your computer’s internal IP address. Without this step, external players will see connection timeout errors.

The server address format for external players: your.public.ip.address:25565

Finding Hosted Server Addresses

If you’re using a game server hosting provider, finding your server address is much simpler. The hosting company assigns you a dedicated IP address or hostname that never changes.

Log into your server hosting control panel and look for:

• Server IP Address or Connection Address
• Usually displayed on the main dashboard or server overview page
• Often includes the port number (like 123.45.67.89:25565)
• Some hosts provide a memorable hostname instead (like mc.yourserver.com)

This address works for everyone, anywhere in the world. No port forwarding, no dynamic IP headaches, no network configuration needed. Get reliable Minecraft hosting starting at $1/GB with 20% off for new customers at GameTeam.io – your server address is displayed instantly after setup.

Using Custom Domain Names

Instead of sharing ugly IP addresses like 123.45.67.89:25565, you can add a custom domain name to your Minecraft server. This lets players connect using something memorable like play.myserver.com.

You’ll need to purchase a domain name and create an A record pointing to your server’s IP address. Some hosting providers include free subdomain options, making this process even easier.

Common Problems When Finding Server Addresses

Can’t Resolve Hostname Error

If players see “Can’t resolve hostname”, the address you shared isn’t valid or contains typos. Double-check for:

• Extra spaces before or after the IP address
• Wrong port number format (should be IP:port, like 192.168.1.5:25565)
• Typing errors in the numbers
• DNS issues if using a custom domain that hasn’t propagated yet

Connection Timed Out

This usually means the address is correct, but the server isn’t reachable:

• Server isn’t actually running (check your server console)
• Firewall blocking the connection
• Port forwarding not configured correctly for external connections
• Wrong port number (default is 25565, but some servers use custom ports)

Internal IP vs External IP Confusion

The most common mistake: sharing your internal IP (192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) with friends outside your network. These addresses only work locally. External players need your public IP address, which you can find at whatismyip.com.

Testing Your Server Address

Before sharing your server address with others, test it yourself:

1. Open Minecraft and click Multiplayer
2. Click “Add Server” or “Direct Connection”
3. Enter the server address you plan to share
4. If you see the server status with player count and ping, it works
5. If you see a red X or connection error, troubleshoot before inviting others

For external testing, try connecting from your phone using mobile data (not WiFi) to simulate an outside connection. This reveals port forwarding issues before your friends encounter them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What port does Minecraft use by default?

Minecraft servers use port 25565 by default. You only need to include the port in your address if you changed it to something else (like 123.45.67.89:25566). If using the default port, players can connect with just the IP address.

Why does my server address keep changing?

Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Your ISP assigns a new public IP when your router restarts or after certain time periods. Solutions include using a dynamic DNS service or switching to managed server hosting with a static IP address.

Can I use a server address without numbers?

Yes, by setting up a domain name or subdomain pointed to your server’s IP address. Players can then connect using something like play.coolserver.com instead of memorizing numbers. This requires domain registration and DNS configuration.

How do I find a server address someone else sent me?

Check wherever they shared it – Discord messages, forum posts, server listing websites, or direct messages. Server owners should provide the complete address including port number if non-standard. If you lost it, ask them to resend it.

Does the server address change if I restart my server?

No, restarting your Minecraft server software doesn’t change the address. However, restarting your router might change your public IP if you have a dynamic IP from your ISP. Your internal network IP usually stays the same unless your router’s DHCP settings change it.

The Easiest Solution

Finding and managing server addresses for self-hosted Minecraft servers involves dealing with dynamic IPs, port forwarding, and network configuration. Most players just want to play, not become network administrators.

Managed Minecraft hosting eliminates these headaches entirely. You get a permanent server address that works immediately, no technical setup required. Your friends can connect from anywhere without you touching router settings or worrying about IP changes. Focus on building, not troubleshooting connections.