Tools · Server Setup

server.properties Generator

Every Java Edition server reads server.properties on startup. Fill in the settings you change on a new Paper server and download a ready-to-drop file.

MOTD

server.properties preview
# Generated by MinecraftServer.Buzz — server.properties generator
# Save as UTF-8. Restart server after changes.

motd=§a§lMy Minecraft Server\n§7Survival & PvP
max-players=20
view-distance=10
simulation-distance=10
difficulty=normal
gamemode=survival
force-gamemode=false
pvp=true
white-list=false
online-mode=true
spawn-protection=16
enable-command-block=false
allow-flight=false
level-name=world
level-type=minecraft:normal
server-port=25565

# Paper-specific settings go in paper-global.yml / paper-world-defaults.yml
  1. Download and place next to your paper.jar (same folder as world/).
  2. Stop the server before replacing an existing file.
  3. Start the server — changes to MOTD, difficulty, and gamemode apply on boot.

Settings that matter most on a new server

max-players and view-distance most affect performance. A 100-player cap on 4 GB RAM will lag — use the RAM calculator. view-distance 10 is vanilla default; Paper servers often run 8–10 on small hosts.

online-mode=true is required for public servers. enforce-whitelist and white-list pair with whitelist.json for closed betas.

Building your MOTD first

The motd= field accepts two lines with legacy colour codes. Build text in the MOTD generator, then paste line 1 and line 2 here. A styled MOTD is the fastest way to look professional in the server list.

Important server.properties keys explained

PropertyTypical valueWhat it controls
server-port25565TCP port players connect to
max-players20–100Hard cap on concurrent players
view-distance8–12Chunk render radius per player
online-modetrueMojang auth required to join
white-listfalse / trueRestrict to whitelist.json names
level-nameworldWorld folder name in server root
difficultynormalMob damage and hunger for survival

How to use this tool

  1. 1

    Set core server options

    Choose max players, view distance, difficulty, gamemode, and whether online-mode and whitelist are enabled. Match view distance to your RAM — use the RAM calculator if unsure.

  2. 2

    Add your MOTD and world settings

    Paste MOTD line 1 and line 2 from the MOTD generator. Set level-name if you want a custom world folder name before first start.

  3. 3

    Download and install

    Download server.properties, stop your server, replace the file in the server root next to paper.jar, and restart. Never edit while the server is writing world data.

Frequently asked questions

What is server.properties in Minecraft?

server.properties is the main configuration file for a Java Edition dedicated server. It controls port, MOTD, max players, view distance, difficulty, gamemode, whitelist, online-mode, and world settings. It lives in the server root folder next to the server jar.

Where do I put the downloaded server.properties file?

Place it in your server root directory — the same folder as paper.jar — replacing the existing file. Stop the server first, swap the file, then start again. Hosting panels often expose the same settings in a web UI.

What is the difference between view-distance and simulation-distance?

view-distance in server.properties sets how far players see terrain. Paper adds simulation-distance in paper-world-defaults.yml for mob ticking and crop growth — set simulation lower than view to save CPU and RAM while keeping render distance high.

Should online-mode be true or false?

Keep online-mode=true for public servers. It forces Mojang authentication, preventing cracked clients and ensuring UUIDs match Mojang accounts. Set false only for trusted offline LAN-style servers.

What does white-list=true do?

When enabled, only players in whitelist.json can join. Add names using the whitelist creator — this generator only toggles the setting.

Does this work for Paper, Spigot, and vanilla?

Yes. Paper-specific optimisations live in config/paper-global.yml, not server.properties. This generator covers shared vanilla properties every Java server uses.

What port should server-port be?

Default is 25565 for Java Edition. Use a different port if running multiple servers on one machine. Forward that TCP port on your router and check with the port checker tool.

Can I change server.properties without restarting?

Some properties apply on reload (/reload or host panel reload) but many — including view-distance, online-mode, and level-name — require a full restart. When in doubt, restart cleanly during low player count.

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