What a server address is and why you need one

A server address in Minecraft is the location where other players connect to join your world. It's a string of numbers and dots (called an IP address) or a domain name that points to the computer running your Minecraft server. When you want friends to play with you on the same world instead of each playing alone, you give them this address so their game knows where to find your server.

If you're running a server on your own computer at home, you'll be working with your local network address first, then potentially your public IP address if people outside your home network want to join. If you're renting server space from a hosting company, they provide the address for you — you don't build it yourself.

The method you use depends on what kind of server you're running: a small local server for friends on your home network, a server on your own computer that's open to the internet, or a rented server through a hosting provider.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local server address on a home network is usually something like 192.168.1.X, which you find in your router settings or network information.
  • Your public IP address (for people outside your home network) comes from your internet provider and changes periodically unless you pay for a static IP.
  • If you're renting a server from a hosting company like Nitrado or Aternos, the host gives you the address — you don't create it.
  • Port forwarding on your router is required if you want people outside your home network to reach a server running on your home computer.
  • A domain name (like myserver.com) points to your IP address and is easier for players to remember than a string of numbers.

Finding your local network address for friends on your home WiFi

If you're running a Minecraft server on your computer and friends are connecting from the same home network, they need your local IP address. This is different from your public internet address — it's the address your router assigns to your computer within your home network.

On Windows, open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection. It will look something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.8. Give this address to your friends, and they enter it in Minecraft's "Add Server" screen under the server address field.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Network, select your active connection, and your local IP appears in the window. On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I. This address only works for people on your home network — anyone trying to connect from outside will get a "connection refused" error.

Finding your public IP address for players outside your home network

Your public IP address is what the internet sees as your location. It's assigned by your internet service provider and is different from your local network address. If you want friends outside your home to join your server, they need this address.

The simplest way to find it: go to a website like whatismyipaddress.com or google "what is my IP" and the search results show it immediately. Write it down — but know that this address changes periodically (usually every few days to weeks) unless you pay your internet provider for a static IP address. When it changes, you'll have to tell your friends the new address.

Before giving out your public IP, you must set up port forwarding on your router so that incoming connections reach your Minecraft server. Without this step, people outside your network can see your IP but won't be able to connect.

Setting up port forwarding so outside players can connect

Port forwarding tells your router to send Minecraft traffic from the internet to the computer running your server. Minecraft uses port 25565 by default. Every router is different, but the basic steps are the same.

Log into your router's admin panel by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser. Look for a section called "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Server." You'll need to enter the local IP address of the computer running your server, the port number (25565), and confirm. Your router's manual or support page has the exact steps for your model.

After port forwarding is set up, test it by giving your public IP address to someone outside your network and asking them to connect. If they can't reach the server, check that your server software is actually running, that port forwarding points to the right computer, and that your firewall isn't blocking port 25565.

Using a hosting company's server address

If you're renting server space from a company like Nitrado, Aternos, or Apex Hosting, you don't create a server address — the host provides one when you set up your account. It appears in your control panel and looks something like "play.myserver.nitrado.net" or an IP address with a custom port number.

You simply copy this address from your hosting dashboard and share it with friends. They enter it exactly as shown into Minecraft's "Add Server" screen. The hosting company handles all the technical work of keeping the server running and reachable on the internet, so you don't have to worry about port forwarding, IP changes, or keeping your home computer on 24/7.

This is the easiest option if you want a stable address that doesn't change and don't want to manage your own router settings. The trade-off is that hosting companies charge a monthly fee, whereas running a server on your own computer is free (but requires more technical setup).

Using a domain name instead of an IP address

Instead of giving friends a string of numbers like 203.45.67.89, you can point a domain name (like myserver.com or myminecraftworld.net) to your IP address. Players then type the domain name into Minecraft instead of the IP, which is easier to remember and share.

To do this, you buy a domain name from a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy, then update the domain's DNS records to point to your server's IP address. The registrar's support page walks you through this. Once it's set up (which can take a few hours to propagate across the internet), players can use the domain name just like an IP address.

The advantage is that if your public IP changes, you only have to update the DNS record once instead of telling everyone the new address. The disadvantage is that domain names cost money (usually a few dollars per year) and add a layer of complexity. For a small group of friends, an IP address is usually simpler.

Troubleshooting when players can't connect to your server address

If someone tries to connect and gets a "connection refused" or "can't reach server" error, start by checking that your server software is actually running on your computer. Open your server's control panel or command window and look for error messages. If the server isn't running, start it and try again.

If the server is running but they still can't connect, verify you gave them the right address. If they're on your home network, they need your local IP (192.168.x.x), not your public IP. If they're outside your network, they need your public IP and you must have port forwarding set up. Test port forwarding by using an online port checker tool — enter your public IP and port 25565, and it will tell you whether the port is open.

If port forwarding shows as closed, log back into your router and double-check that the rule points to the correct local IP address of your server computer. If your server computer's local IP changed (which can happen if your router restarts), the port forwarding rule will point to the wrong machine. Assign your server computer a static local IP in your router settings so this doesn't happen again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my server address change every time I restart my computer?

Your local network address usually stays the same, but can change if your router restarts or reassigns addresses. Your public IP address changes periodically (every few days to weeks) unless you pay for a static IP from your internet provider. To avoid this problem, assign your server computer a static local IP in your router settings, and consider a domain name for your public address.

Can I run a Minecraft server and play on it at the same time?

Yes, you can run the server on your computer and play on it using localhost or 127.0.0.1 as the address. However, this uses your computer's resources for both the server and the game, which can cause lag. For better performance, run the server on one computer and play from another, or use a hosting company's server.

What's the difference between a port and an IP address?

An IP address is like a street address that identifies your computer on the network. A port is like an apartment number on that address — it tells the computer which program should receive the incoming data. Minecraft uses port 25565 by default, but you can change it in your server settings if needed.

Is it safe to share my public IP address with players?

Sharing your public IP address with Minecraft players is generally safe — it's already visible to anyone who connects to your server. However, don't share it publicly on forums or social media where strangers can see it. Only give it to people you trust to play on your server.

Do I need a static IP address to run a server?

No, but it makes things easier. A static IP costs extra from your internet provider and doesn't change, so you don't have to update your friends' connection details. Without it, you'll need to tell players the new address every time your IP changes, or use a domain name that automatically points to your new IP.