Your Minecraft server address isn’t something you “make” in the traditional sense—it’s automatically assigned based on how and where you’re hosting. What you’re really doing is finding, configuring, or setting up access to that address so other players can join your world.
What a Minecraft Server Address Actually Is
A Minecraft server address is the unique identifier that tells the game where to connect. It’s either an IP address (like 192.168.1.100 or 51.210.45.123) or a domain name (like play.yourserver.com). Think of it like a phone number—every server needs one for players to dial in.
The server address depends entirely on your hosting method. If you’re running a server on your home computer, it’s your public IP address. If you’re using a hosting provider, they assign you an IP and usually a domain. If you’re playing on a local network, it’s your computer’s local IP address.
Getting Your Server Address for Different Hosting Methods
Running a Server on Your Own Computer
When you host locally, you need to know two different addresses depending on who’s connecting:
For players on your home network: Use your computer’s local IP address. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Look for “IPv4 Address” under your active network connection—it’ll look something like 192.168.1.5. Mac users can run ifconfig in Terminal or check System Preferences > Network.
For players outside your network: They need your public IP address. Google “what is my IP” and you’ll see it immediately. But here’s the catch—you also need to configure port forwarding on your router (default Minecraft port is 25565) or they won’t be able to connect. Port forwarding tells your router to send Minecraft traffic to the right computer on your network.
Using a Minecraft Server Hosting Provider
This is the simplest route. Professional hosting services assign you a server address the moment your server spins up. You’ll find it in your control panel or welcome email—usually both an IP address and a friendlier domain name.
For example, you might get something like mc.gameteam.io:25565 or just a raw IP like 51.210.45.123:25565. Both work identically. Finding your server address on a hosted platform takes seconds since it’s displayed prominently in the dashboard.
Skip the headaches of home hosting—GameTeam.io offers reliable Minecraft server hosting starting at $1/GB with 20% off for new users. No port forwarding, no dynamic IP issues, just a working server address from day one.
Using Minecraft Realms
Realms handles everything automatically. You don’t get a traditional server address—instead, you invite players directly through their Xbox Live or Microsoft account. The server address is essentially hidden behind Mojang’s infrastructure. Players join through the Realms menu, not by entering an IP.
Making Your Server Address Easier to Remember
Raw IP addresses are forgettable. Nobody wants to remember 51.210.45.123:25565 when they could type play.awesomeserver.com instead.
Setting Up a Custom Domain
Buy a domain name from any registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare—doesn’t matter). Then create an A record pointing to your server’s IP address. Most hosting providers include instructions for this, and some even provide free subdomains.
If you’re hosting at home with a dynamic IP address that changes periodically, use a dynamic DNS service like No-IP or DuckDNS. These services give you a hostname that automatically updates when your IP changes.
Using SRV Records to Hide the Port
Want players to connect using just play.yourserver.com instead of play.yourserver.com:25565? Set up an SRV record in your DNS settings. It tells Minecraft which port to use automatically.
The SRV record format looks like this:
- Service: _minecraft
- Protocol: _tcp
- Priority: 0
- Weight: 5
- Port: 25565 (or whatever you’re using)
- Target: your actual server address
Most DNS providers have a specific SRV record option in their control panel. Once configured, players can drop the port number entirely.
Configuring Your Server Properties
The server.properties file controls how your server behaves, including network settings that affect connectivity.
Key settings to check:
server-port=25565 sets which port the server listens on. Leave this at default unless you have a specific reason to change it. If you do change it, players must include the custom port when connecting.
server-ip= should usually stay blank. This tells the server to listen on all available network interfaces. Only set a specific IP if you’re running multiple servers or have advanced networking needs.
online-mode=true verifies players own Minecraft accounts. Keep this enabled for public servers. Only disable it for local testing or modded servers with specific requirements.
Testing Your Server Address
Before sharing your server address, test it yourself. Open Minecraft, click Multiplayer, then Add Server. Enter your address and see if it connects.
If you can’t connect, here’s your troubleshooting checklist:
- Firewall blocking: Windows Firewall and antivirus software often block Java. Add exceptions for both Java and the Minecraft server executable.
- Port forwarding issues: Double-check your router settings. The external and internal ports should both be 25565, and it should point to your computer’s local IP.
- Wrong IP address: Make sure you’re using your public IP for external players and local IP for LAN connections. Finding the correct address depends on your network setup.
- Server not running: Sounds obvious, but confirm the server console is actually open and says “Done!” after starting up.
Use online tools like canyouseeme.org to check if your port is visible from the internet. Enter your public IP and port 25565—if it’s open, you’re good to go.
Sharing Your Server Address with Players
Once everything’s working, give players the correct address based on their location:
Players on the same network: Share your local IP address (192.168.x.x). They’re already inside your network, so they don’t need the public IP.
Players connecting from the internet: Share your public IP or domain name. Include the port number if it’s not the default 25565.
Security tip: Don’t broadcast your server address publicly unless you’ve configured whitelist protection. Add trusted players to the whitelist with /whitelist add playername and enable it with /whitelist on. This prevents random players from joining and potentially griefing your world.
Common Server Address Problems and Fixes
Dynamic IP Addresses Keep Changing
Most home internet connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically. When your IP changes, your server address changes too, and players can’t connect.
Solutions: Set up dynamic DNS, pay your ISP for a static IP (usually $5-15/month), or switch to hosted servers that maintain consistent addresses.
Connection Timed Out Errors
This usually means the server isn’t reachable. Check that the server is running, port forwarding is configured correctly, and no firewalls are blocking the connection. Sometimes it’s as simple as entering the wrong IP address—double-check what you shared.
Can’t Connect Using Domain Name
DNS changes take time to propagate—anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. If your domain isn’t working immediately, wait a bit. You can also test DNS propagation using tools like whatsmydns.net to see if the records have updated globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a static IP for a Minecraft server?
No, but it makes life easier. Dynamic DNS services solve the changing IP problem for home servers. Hosted servers come with static IPs by default.
Can I run multiple Minecraft servers on one computer?
Yes, but each needs a different port number. Configure one on 25565, another on 25566, etc. Players must include the specific port when connecting to each server.
Why does my server address include a colon and numbers?
The colon separates the IP address from the port number (like 192.168.1.5:25565). If you’re using the default port 25565, players can usually omit it. Custom ports must be included.
Is localhost the same as my server address?
Localhost (or 127.0.0.1) only works on the computer running the server. Other players need your actual local or public IP address to connect.
Can I hide my home IP address when hosting?
Not really—players need it to connect. If privacy concerns you, use a VPS or dedicated hosting service instead of hosting from home. Your home IP stays private, and players connect to the hosting provider’s IP.
Setting up a working server address isn’t complicated once you understand the basics. Choose your hosting method, find the right IP address, configure your network settings, and test thoroughly before inviting players. The technical setup takes maybe 20 minutes—then you’re ready to build together.
