The server.properties file controls most of your Minecraft server's behavior. This comprehensive guide explains every setting and provides recommended configurations for different server types.
Basic Server Settings
server-port=25565The port your server listens on (default: 25565)
Example: Change if running multiple servers
max-players=20Maximum number of players allowed
Example: Adjust based on your RAM and CPU
online-mode=trueRequire valid Minecraft accounts (keep true for security)
Example: Set false only for offline/cracked servers
motd=A Minecraft ServerMessage shown in the server list (supports color codes)
Example: motd=\u00a76My Server \u00a7a1.20
World Settings
level-name=worldThe folder name for your world
Example: level-name=survival_world
level-seed=World generation seed (empty for random)
Example: level-seed=12345
gamemode=survivalDefault gamemode for new players
Example: survival, creative, adventure, spectator
difficulty=normalServer difficulty level
Example: peaceful, easy, normal, hard
max-world-size=29999984World border radius
Example: Use smaller values to limit exploration
Tip
- Seeds only affect world generation - changing after creation does nothing
- Delete world folder to regenerate with a new seed
Gameplay Settings
pvp=trueAllow player vs player combat
Example: Set false for PvE servers
spawn-protection=16Radius around spawn where non-ops can't build
Example: Set to 0 to disable
spawn-monsters=trueAllow hostile mob spawning
Example: Set false for peaceful experience
spawn-animals=trueAllow passive mob spawning
Example: Disable to reduce lag
allow-flight=falseAllow flying in survival mode
Example: Set true if using fly plugins
Performance Settings
view-distance=10Chunk render distance sent to clients
Example: Lower for better performance (6-10)
simulation-distance=10Distance for entity/redstone simulation
Example: Lower than view-distance
max-tick-time=60000Watchdog timeout in milliseconds
Example: Set to -1 to disable (not recommended)
Tip
- Lower view-distance significantly improves performance with more players
- simulation-distance can be lower than view-distance for optimization
Whitelist and Security
white-list=falseEnable whitelist mode
Example: Set true for private servers
enforce-whitelist=falseKick non-whitelisted players when enabled
Example: Works with white-list=true
server-ip=IP to bind to (leave empty for all)
Example: Usually leave empty
Recommended Configurations
Tip
- Survival Server: gamemode=survival, difficulty=hard, pvp=true, spawn-protection=16
- Creative Server: gamemode=creative, pvp=false, spawn-protection=0, spawn-monsters=false
- Private Server: white-list=true, enforce-whitelist=true, max-players=10
- Performance Server: view-distance=8, simulation-distance=6, max-players based on RAM
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