How to find a Discord server
You find Discord servers through the server browser built into Discord itself, through public server listing websites, or by following an invite link someone sends you. The easiest method depends on what you're looking for — whether you want a server about a specific game, hobby, or community.
Discord's own server browser is the fastest way if you know roughly what you want. Open Discord, look for the plus icon (+) on the left sidebar below your current servers, click it, and select "Browse Public Servers". You'll see categories like Gaming, Education, and Entertainment. Click into a category and search by name or browse what's trending.
If Discord's browser doesn't show what you need, public server listing websites like Disboard, Discord.me, and Top.gg let you search by keyword and see how many members each server has. These sites show you the server description and rules before you join, which helps you decide if it's the right fit.
Key Takeaways
- Discord's built-in server browser (the plus icon on your sidebar) is the quickest way to find servers by category or search term.
- Public listing websites like Disboard and Top.gg let you search by keyword and see member counts and descriptions before joining.
- Invite links from friends or social media are the most direct way to join a specific server if you already know which one you want.
- Read the server's rules and description before joining to make sure it matches what you're looking for and follows Discord's community guidelines.
Using Discord's built-in server browser
Click the plus icon (+) on the left sidebar, then select "Browse Public Servers". You'll land on a page showing trending servers and category options. The categories include Gaming, Entertainment, Education, Hobbies, and others. Click any category to see servers within it, sorted by popularity or newest first.
Once you're in a category, use the search box at the top to narrow down by keyword. If you search "Minecraft", you'll see all public Minecraft servers. Each server listing shows the server name, a short description, member count, and a preview of what channels are inside. Click "Join" to add the server to your sidebar immediately.
The advantage of Discord's browser is speed — you don't leave the app, and you join instantly. The downside is that it only shows servers Discord has verified as public and active, so smaller or newer communities might not appear.
Finding servers on listing websites
Websites like Disboard, Discord.me, and Top.gg work like search engines for Discord servers. Go to any of these sites, type what you're looking for into the search bar, and you'll see results with member counts, descriptions, and sometimes tags like "gaming" or "LGBTQ+". Click on a server to see its full description, rules, and an invite link.
These sites often show servers that don't appear in Discord's browser because they're smaller or newer. You can also filter by language, region, or server size. When you click the invite link, Discord opens and asks you to confirm joining — you'll see the server's icon and member count one more time before you commit.
The trade-off is that you're leaving Discord to search, and the listings aren't always current. Some servers listed might be inactive or full. But if you're looking for something niche — a server for a specific book series, a regional community, or a small hobby — these sites are often your best bet.
Joining through invite links
If someone sends you an invite link — either as a message, a social media post, or a link on a website — click it and Discord will open to a preview of that server. You'll see the server name, icon, description, and member count. Click "Join Server" to add it to your sidebar.
Invite links are the most direct way to join a specific server, especially if it's private or small. They're also the safest way, because you're joining a community someone you know or trust has recommended. However, you can only join servers you have an invite link for — you can't search for them unless they're public.
What to check before joining a server
Before you click join, read the server's description and rules. Look for information about what the server is for, who runs it, and what behavior is expected. Most servers have a rules channel you can read immediately after joining — check it before you start chatting.
Pay attention to the number of members and how active the chat looks. A server with 50,000 members might feel overwhelming if you want a small community, while a server with 12 members might be inactive. Look at the channel list too — if a server has channels for topics you don't care about, it might not be the right fit.
If a server asks you to verify your age, phone number, or email before you can chat, that's normal for servers with stricter moderation. If it asks for payment or personal information beyond that, leave and find a different server.
Leaving a server if it's not what you wanted
If you join a server and it's not what you expected, leaving is simple. Right-click the server name on your sidebar and select "Leave Server". You can rejoin later using the same invite link if you change your mind, or you can search for a different server.
You can also mute a server without leaving it — right-click the server name and select "Mute Server" to stop notifications without removing it from your sidebar. This is useful if you want to stay in a server but don't want constant alerts.
Finding servers for specific interests
If you're looking for a server about a specific game, hobby, or topic, start with a keyword search in Discord's browser or on a listing site. For games, many official game communities have Discord servers — search the game's name plus "Discord" on Google to find the official link. For hobbies like art, writing, or music, listing sites often have dedicated categories.
For communities based on location, identity, or shared interests, listing sites are usually better than Discord's browser because they let you filter by tags. A search for "LGBTQ+" or "neurodivergent" on Disboard will show servers tagged for those communities, whereas Discord's browser might not surface them as easily.
If you can't find what you're looking for, consider starting your own server. Discord lets you create a server for free, and you can invite friends or post the invite link on social media or forums related to your interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for private servers?
No — private servers don't appear in search results or browsers. You can only join a private server if someone sends you an invite link. If you want to join a private community, ask the community online or on social media if they have a Discord and request an invite.
What's the difference between public and private servers?
Public servers appear in Discord's browser and listing websites, and anyone can join with an invite link. Private servers don't show up in search results — only people with an invite link can see or join them. Private servers are often used for small friend groups or closed communities.
Is it safe to join servers from listing websites?
Listing websites show servers that users have submitted, so quality varies. Read the server description and rules before joining. Avoid servers that ask for passwords, payment, or sensitive personal information. If a server feels unsafe or violates Discord's rules, you can report it to Discord through the app.
Can I join a server if I don't have a Discord account yet?
No — you need a Discord account to join any server. Creating an account is free and takes a few minutes. You'll need an email address and a username. Once your account is set up, you can join servers through invite links or the server browser.
What if a server I want to join is full?
Some servers set a member limit and close to new members when they reach it. If a server is full, you can't join unless the owner increases the limit or members leave. Check the server description to see if it mentions a member cap, or try finding a similar server instead.