What is a Minecraft server IP?
A Minecraft server IP (or server address) is what players type into "Server Address" to connect: an IP like 203.0.113.25, a domain like play.example.com, or either of them with a port, like 203.0.113.25:25566. Minecraft Java uses port 25565 by default; when the server uses that port, you can leave the port out.
Which address you need depends on two questions: where does the server run and where is the player? The rest of this guide answers both. If you already have the address and just want to connect, see how to join a Minecraft server.
| Where the server runs | Player on the same PC | Player on the same Wi-Fi | Player anywhere else |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your PC (server software) | localhost |
Your local IP (e.g. 192.168.1.20) |
Your public IP + port forwarding |
| Your PC (Open to LAN) | – | Local IP and the LAN port | Not possible without extra tools |
| A hosting service | Address from the panel | Address from the panel | Address from the panel |
How do I find the IP of my own Minecraft server?
If the server runs on your computer, you join it yourself with localhost, people in your home use your local IP, and people outside need your public IP with port 25565 forwarded on your router.
For you: localhost
On the PC that runs the server, type localhost (or 127.0.0.1) as the server address. It always points to your own computer, so you don't need to look anything up.
For people on the same Wi-Fi: your local IP
Your local (private) IP is the address of your computer inside your home network. It usually starts with 192.168., 10. or 172.16.–172.31..
| System | How to find the local IP |
|---|---|
| Windows | Press Win + R, type cmd, then run ipconfig. Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). |
| macOS | System Settings → Network → your connection → Details, or run ipconfig getifaddr en0 in Terminal. |
| Linux | Run hostname -I or ip addr in a terminal. |
Friends on the same network type that IP, for example 192.168.1.20. If you changed the port in server.properties, add it: 192.168.1.20:25570.
For people outside your home: your public IP
Your public IP is the address of your whole home connection on the internet. Search "what is my IP" in any search engine, or check your router's status page. For friends to join from outside:
- Forward port 25565 (TCP) on your router to your PC's local IP.
- Allow Java through your computer's firewall.
- Give your friends the public IP (with the port if it isn't 25565).
Watch out for these:
- Dynamic IP. Most home connections get a new public IP from time to time, so the address you shared last week may stop working. A dynamic DNS service gives you a fixed name that follows the changing IP.
- CGNAT. If the "WAN" IP on your router's status page is different from the one "what is my IP" shows, your provider shares one public IP between many customers. Port forwarding then can't work, and friends from outside can't reach your server.
- Never share your public IP publicly. It points to your home. For a public server, use a host or at least a domain.
The full home setup, including port forwarding, is in how to make a Minecraft server.
Check server.properties
Leave server-ip empty and check server-port – that's the port players need. server-ip is the address the server listens on; when it's empty, the server listens on all your addresses, which is what you want. A wrong IP there is a common reason a home server can't be reached. When the server starts, the console prints the port, for example Starting Minecraft server on *:25565. All the settings are explained in Minecraft server.properties.
How to find the address of a LAN world
Open your singleplayer world, press Esc, click "Open to LAN" and start the LAN world – the game then prints the port in chat, and the address is your local IP plus that port. For example, if chat shows port 51234 and your local IP is 192.168.1.20, friends type 192.168.1.20:51234.
- If you don't fill in "Port Number" on the Open to LAN screen, the game picks a random port every time. Type a fixed number there to keep the same address.
- Players on the same network often don't need the address at all: a LAN world appears automatically at the bottom of their Multiplayer list.
- LAN worlds work only on the same network and only while your game is open. For friends elsewhere, you need a real server – see how to play Minecraft with friends.
What is the IP of a Bedrock server?
A Bedrock server has an address and a separate port – the default Bedrock port is 19132 (UDP). In Bedrock you type them into two fields: Server Address and Port.
For a Bedrock Dedicated Server on your own PC, the address is found the same way as for Java (localhost, local IP, public IP), but you forward UDP 19132, not TCP 25565. Bedrock doesn't read the port from a domain automatically, so always give players both the address and the port.
How to find your server address on a hosting panel
On a host, the address is shown in the server panel – usually at the top of the server page, with a copy button. You don't need to know the machine's IP; hosts give you a name or IP with the right port already included.
What you usually find in a panel:
- a main address (often a subdomain like
yourname.host.com) – the one to give to players; - an IP and port version of the same address – a backup if the name doesn't work;
- a place to change the subdomain or connect your own domain.
If an address in your panel contains a colon and a number, the number is the port. Players must type it exactly as shown, unless the address is a domain with an SRV record (see below).
Where to find your server address on Spot.gg
Your server address is at the very top of the server panel, next to "How to connect?" – click the address to copy it. For a Minecraft Java server it looks like yourname.spot.gs, with no port needed.
At the top of the panel:
- The address – click it to copy. On Bedrock servers the address and the port are shown separately, each with its own copy button, because Bedrock needs them in two fields.
- "How to connect?" – step-by-step instructions for your exact server: which game version to launch, where to click and what to type. For modpacks it also shows how to install the same pack. You can send these instructions to your friends.
In the "Network" tab:
| Field | Example | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| "Custom address" | yourname.spot.gs |
The address to give your friends (Minecraft Java). No port needed. |
| "Basic address" | sID-xxxxx.spot.gs:25570 |
Permanent server address – always works, even if you change the custom one. |
| "Ports" table | Game, Map, Voice chat… | The game port and extra ports for map and voice chat plugins. |
Changing the address: go to "Configuration" → "Most popular" → "Custom address" and type a new name – letters, digits and hyphens, up to 20 characters. You can change it once per hour. The old custom name stops working, so tell your players. The basic address never changes.
Using your own domain: at the bottom of "Network", "Own domain" lists the DNS records to add at your domain registrar, so players can join with something like play.yourdomain.com. For Minecraft Java the table includes an SRV record, which lets players join without typing the port. DNS changes usually work after a few minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours.
New to hosting? You can start a free Minecraft server for 24 hours and get your own address right away; paid servers start from $3.90 per month.
What does the port after the colon mean?
The number after the colon is the port: it tells the game which "door" of that address to use, and you only need it when the server isn't on the default port 25565.
play.example.com→ connects to port 25565 (or the port given by an SRV record).play.example.com:25570→ connects to port 25570.203.0.113.25:25570→ IP with port 25570.
SRV records let a domain tell Minecraft Java which port to use. That's why many hosted servers work with a plain name even though they don't use port 25565. Bedrock doesn't use SRV records, so Bedrock players always type the port.
If you type an address with the wrong port, or the game port of one server with the domain of another, you'll get "Can't connect to server" or a timeout.
How do I find the IP of a server I already play on?
Open "Multiplayer", select the server in your list and click "Edit" – the "Server Address" field shows the address you saved. You can copy it from there and send it to a friend.
- Public servers publish their address on their website, Discord or in server lists. Always copy it from the official source – fake addresses that copy a popular server's name exist.
- A friend's server: ask the owner. There's no way to "look up" a private server's address from inside the game.
- Realms don't have an IP to share. Friends join a Realm through an invite in the game, not with an address.
My server address doesn't work – what now?
First check that the server is running, the address and port are typed exactly, and the player uses a compatible Minecraft version. Then go through the most common errors:
| What you see | Usually means |
|---|---|
| "Can't resolve hostname" / "Unknown host" | Typo in the domain, or a new domain that hasn't propagated yet |
| "Connection timed out" | Wrong port, server offline, or the port isn't forwarded/open |
| "Connection refused" / getsockopt | Nothing is listening on that port – server stopped or wrong port. See the getsockopt error |
| "An existing connection was forcibly closed" | Network or firewall problem on the way. See connection forcibly closed |
| Outdated client / server | Wrong game version – see how to join a Minecraft server |
FAQ
How do I find my Minecraft server IP?
On your own PC: localhost for you, your local IP (from ipconfig on Windows) for people on the same Wi-Fi, and your public IP with port 25565 forwarded for everyone else. On a host: copy the address from the server panel.
What is the default Minecraft server port?
25565 (TCP) for Java Edition and 19132 (UDP) for Bedrock Edition.
Do I need to type the port in the server address?
Only if the server doesn't use the default port and the domain has no SRV record. If your address was given with a colon and a number, type it exactly like that.
Is localhost the same as my server IP?
Only for you. localhost always means "this computer", so it works only on the PC that runs the server. Others need your local or public IP.
Why does my server IP change?
Most home internet connections have a dynamic public IP that changes from time to time. Use a dynamic DNS service, or host the server with a provider that gives you a fixed address.
Can I use a domain instead of an IP?
Yes. Point the domain to your server with DNS records (an A or CNAME record, plus an SRV record if the server isn't on port 25565). On Spot.gg, the "Own domain" section in "Network" lists the exact records.
Where is the server address on Spot.gg?
At the top of the server panel (click it to copy) and in the "Network" tab, which shows the custom address, the basic address and all ports.
Can I find someone's server IP without them telling me?
No. Private servers don't publish their address anywhere you could look it up. Ask the owner, or check the official website or Discord for public servers.