Minecraft server.properties Builder

Build a complete server.properties file with clear explanations for gameplay, world, network, and performance options.

Import existing file

Paste your current server.properties to load values, or start from recommended defaults.

Server settings

Adjust options by category. The file preview updates as you type.

Minecraft server.properties Builder guide

Build a complete Minecraft server.properties file online with clear labels for gameplay, world, network, performance, players, and resource packs — then copy or download a file ready for your server root.

Why server.properties matters

server.properties is the main config for a vanilla, Paper, Purpur, or Spigot Java server. It controls gamemode, difficulty, max players, online-mode, view distance, MOTD, ports, whitelist flags, and dozens of other options that shape how your world feels and how hard it is on the CPU.

Wrong values cause lag, open servers you meant to keep private, or block Bedrock cross-play setups. This builder groups common keys into categories, explains each option in plain language, and shows a live preview of the generated file as you edit.

Import, tweak, and export safely

Paste an existing server.properties to load values into the form, adjust only what you need, then download a fresh file. Reset to recommended defaults when you want a clean starting point for a new season or test world.

Performance keys like view-distance and simulation-distance are called out clearly so you can trade render range for stable tick rate. Network and player options help you set online-mode, whitelist, idle timeout, and secure chat without digging through wiki pages.

After you download the file

Replace server.properties in your server directory and restart so every change applies. Keep a backup of the old file when you experiment. If you use a proxy such as Velocity, some options (especially online-mode) must match your forwarding setup — pair this tool with our Geyser and proxy planners when you run a network.

For MOTD formatting with colors, use our MOTD editor, then paste the result into the motd field here or merge it into your exported file.

Common questions

What view distance should I use?
Many survival servers run view-distance 6–10 and keep simulation-distance similar or slightly lower for better performance. Raise it only if your machine has headroom.
Should online-mode be true?
Use online-mode=true for public Java servers so only genuine Mojang accounts can join. Turn it off only for carefully controlled offline or proxy setups that handle authentication another way.
Do I need to restart after changing server.properties?
Yes. Most properties load at startup. Replace the file, restart the server, then confirm settings with /version or by checking the server list MOTD and player slots.