Understanding server.properties
The server.properties file is the main configuration file for your Minecraft server. It controls everything from game rules to network settings. Here's what every property does and the recommended values.
Network Settings
server-ip
Leave blank to listen on all interfaces. Only set this if your machine has multiple IPs and you want to bind to a specific one.
server-ip=server-port
Default: 25565. Change if running multiple servers on one machine.
server-port=25565max-players
Maximum concurrent players. Set slightly higher than your expected peak.
max-players=100network-compression-threshold
Minimum packet size before compression. Lower = more compression (slower CPU, less bandwidth). Default 256 is good for most servers.
network-compression-threshold=256Gameplay Settings
gamemode
Default gamemode for new players: survival, creative, adventure, spectator
gamemode=survivaldifficulty
peaceful, easy, normal, hard. Most servers use "normal" or "hard."
difficulty=normalpvp
Enable/disable player vs player combat.
pvp=truespawn-protection
Radius (in blocks) around spawn where only OPs can build. Set to 0 if using WorldGuard.
spawn-protection=0allow-flight
Set to true if using plugins that enable flight (EssentialsX fly, creative plots). Otherwise the server kicks "flying" players.
allow-flight=truePerformance Settings
view-distance
Chunk render distance. Lower = better performance. 10 is default, 6-8 is recommended for busy servers.
view-distance=8simulation-distance
How far entities are simulated. 4-6 is optimal for performance while keeping gameplay reasonable.
simulation-distance=6max-tick-time
Maximum milliseconds a tick can take before the watchdog kills the server. Set to -1 to disable (do this if you get "server is overloaded" crashes during worldgen).
max-tick-time=60000World Settings
level-name
World folder name. Default is "world."
level-name=worldlevel-seed
World generation seed. Leave empty for random.
level-seed=level-type
World type: minecraft:normal, minecraft:flat, minecraft:large_biomes, minecraft:amplified
level-type=minecraft\:normalgenerate-structures
Enable villages, temples, strongholds, etc.
generate-structures=truemax-world-size
Maximum world radius in blocks. Lower limits prevent players from exploring infinitely (which causes storage bloat).
max-world-size=15000Security Settings
online-mode
Keep this TRUE unless you specifically need cracked player support. Online mode verifies player accounts with Mojang.
online-mode=truewhite-list
Enable whitelist to restrict who can join.
white-list=falseenforce-secure-profile
Require signed chat messages. Recommended: true for security.
enforce-secure-profile=trueenable-rcon
Remote console access. Only enable if you need it, and use a strong password.
enable-rcon=false
rcon.password=
rcon.port=25575MOTD (Message of the Day)
The text shown in the server list. Supports Minecraft color codes.
motd=\u00A7b\u00A7lMy Awesome Server \u00A77- \u00A7eSurvival SMPUse BMCSL's MOTD Creator to generate formatted MOTDs with color codes.
Recommended Settings for Different Server Types
Survival SMP
difficulty=hard
pvp=true
view-distance=8
simulation-distance=6
spawn-protection=0
max-world-size=20000Creative Build
gamemode=creative
difficulty=peaceful
pvp=false
allow-flight=true
spawn-protection=0
generate-structures=falsePvP Server
difficulty=normal
pvp=true
view-distance=6
simulation-distance=4
spawn-protection=10