Tools · Server Setup

Minecraft MOTD Generator

The MOTD is the first thing players read in the multiplayer server list — two lines of coloured text under your server name. Pick colours, preview both lines, and copy the motd= entry for server.properties.

Presets

Server list preview

My Minecraft Server
Survival & PvP & Events
Line 119 chars
Line 223 chars

Keep each line under ~50 visible characters so nothing gets cut off in the server list. Count excludes color codes.

Color & format (applies to line 1)

server.properties
motd=§a§lMy Minecraft Server\n§7Survival & PvP & Events

Paste into server.properties, save as UTF-8, restart the server. Verify with the status checker.

Paper JSON MOTD
[
  {
    "text": "",
    "extra": [
      {
        "text": "My Minecraft Server",
        "color": "#55FF55",
        "bold": true
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "text": "Survival & PvP & Events"
  }
]

What the MOTD does for your Minecraft server

When a player opens the multiplayer screen, each entry shows your server icon, name, player count, ping, and the MOTD — two formatted lines that sell your server in about three seconds. A blank or default "A Minecraft Server" MOTD signals an unmaintained host.

The MOTD is purely cosmetic for the server list. It does not affect in-game chat, tablist headers, or scoreboards — those use plugin configs. But because every player sees the MOTD before connecting, it is the highest-visibility text on your server.

Formatting codes that work in server.properties

Use & followed by a hex digit for colours or a format letter (&l bold, &o italic). Separate line 1 and line 2 with \n in the motd= value. Reset formatting between segments with &r so colours do not bleed into the next word.

Hex colours (&#FF5555) work on Java 1.16+ in the server list. For plugin messages and scoreboards you may need § instead of & — use the colour code converter when moving text between contexts.

Common Minecraft MOTD colour codes

These legacy codes work in server.properties motd= on Java Edition:

CodeColourGood for
&0BlackShadow text, separators
&aGreenOnline, survival, nature themes
&bAquaSkyblock, water, cool accent
&cRedPvP, hardcore, warnings
&6GoldPremium, titles, server name
&eYellowHighlights, version numbers
&lBoldServer name (combine with colour)
&rResetStop colour from bleeding to next word

How to use this tool

  1. 1

    Write your two MOTD lines

    Line 1 is your server name or tagline; line 2 is version, gamemode, or Discord. Keep each line under ~50 characters to avoid truncation in the server list.

  2. 2

    Add colour and formatting codes

    Use the colour picker or type legacy codes like &a (green), &l (bold), &r (reset). Preview both lines before copying.

  3. 3

    Copy into server.properties

    Paste the generated motd= line into server.properties in your server root. Restart the server and refresh the multiplayer list to verify.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Minecraft server MOTD?

MOTD stands for Message of the Day — the two lines of coloured text shown under your server name in the Java Edition multiplayer server list. It is set in server.properties with the motd= key. A clear MOTD tells players your gamemode, version, and rules before they join.

How many characters can a Minecraft MOTD have?

Each MOTD line displays roughly 50 characters before truncation in the default server list. Longer text is cut off with an ellipsis. Keep line 1 for your server name or tagline and line 2 for version, Discord link, or a short rule — not a paragraph.

What colour codes work in a Minecraft MOTD?

Java Edition MOTD supports legacy formatting codes with & or §: colours 0–9 and a–f, plus l (bold), o (italic), n (underline), m (strikethrough), k (obfuscated), and r (reset). Since 1.16, hex colours work as &#RRGGBB in some contexts.

Where do I paste the generated MOTD?

Copy the motd= line into server.properties in your server root folder, replacing the existing motd= entry. Restart the server and check the multiplayer list. Hosting panels expose the same setting as a MOTD text field.

Why does my MOTD look different in-game than in the preview?

The preview approximates the default Minecraft font. Custom server list mods, Lunar Client, or Bedrock crossplay launchers may render colours and widths slightly differently. Obfuscated text (code &k) animates in-game but shows as random characters in static previews.

Can I use a MOTD on a Bedrock server?

Bedrock Dedicated Server uses a different configuration format and does not read server.properties motd= the same way Java does. This generator targets Java Edition Paper, Spigot, and vanilla servers.

What makes a good MOTD for an SMP server?

State gamemode and version on line 1 (&6&lMy SMP &r&71.21), then a hook on line 2 (&aEconomy &8| &bEvents &8| &discord.gg/example). Avoid walls of text — players scan the list in seconds. Match colours to your server icon for brand consistency.

How do I add a newline between MOTD lines?

The generator handles this automatically in the motd= output using \n between line 1 and line 2. In raw server.properties the value looks like: motd=Line one\nLine two — do not use a literal line break inside the properties file.

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