Tools
server.properties generator
Pick your server version and change what you need — get the file the way that version's server writes it, or only the changed lines. Keys the version doesn't have stay out of the file.
server.properties
Keys and defaults as a 26.3 server writes them.
server.properties
#Minecraft server properties
accepts-transfers=false
allow-flight=false
broadcast-console-to-ops=true
broadcast-rcon-to-ops=true
bug-report-link=
chat-spam-threshold-seconds=10
command-spam-threshold-seconds=10
difficulty=easy
enable-code-of-conduct=false
enable-jmx-monitoring=false
enable-query=false
enable-rcon=false
enable-status=true
enforce-secure-profile=true
enforce-whitelist=false
entity-broadcast-range-percentage=100
force-gamemode=false
function-permission-level=2
gamemode=survival
generate-structures=true
generator-settings={}
hardcore=false
hide-online-players=false
initial-disabled-packs=
initial-enabled-packs=vanilla
level-name=world
level-seed=
level-type=minecraft\:normal
log-ips=true
management-server-allowed-origins=
management-server-enabled=false
management-server-host=localhost
management-server-port=0
management-server-secret=
management-server-tls-enabled=true
management-server-tls-keystore=
management-server-tls-keystore-password=
max-chained-neighbor-updates=1000000
max-players=20
max-tick-time=60000
max-world-size=29999984
motd=A Minecraft Server
network-compression-threshold=256
online-mode=true
op-permission-level=4
pause-when-empty-seconds=60
player-idle-timeout=0
prevent-proxy-connections=false
query.port=25565
rate-limit=0
rcon.password=
rcon.port=25575
region-file-compression=deflate
require-resource-pack=false
resource-pack=
resource-pack-id=
resource-pack-prompt=
resource-pack-sha1=
server-ip=
server-port=25565
simulation-distance=10
spawn-protection=16
status-heartbeat-interval=0
sync-chunk-writes=true
text-filtering-config=
text-filtering-version=0
use-native-transport=true
view-distance=10
white-list=trueHow to set up server.properties
server.properties sits in the root of the server folder and is created on first start. The server reads it at startup, so a change needs a restart. For the chosen version the generator writes the same keys and defaults as that version's server, following the file's description on minecraft.wiki.
The keys change between versions. In 1.21.9 pvp, allow-nether, spawn-monsters and enable-command-block moved to game rules, 26.2 added chat and command spam thresholds, and in 26.3 the whitelist became on by default. So pick the version first — keys it doesn't have stay out.
"Changed lines only" is handy when you already have a file: replace those lines and leave the rest. Non-ASCII characters and § are written as \uXXXX, so the file reads the same in any encoding.
online-mode=false without a proxy lets anyone in under any name, and allow-flight=true stops kicking for flight. Settings like these open the door to cheaters — an anticheat closes it. DGuard, the best anticheat for a modern Minecraft server, gathers evidence across combat, movement, packets, inventory and building on every plan.
Read in the knowledge base
FAQ
Where is server.properties?
In the root of the server folder, next to the server jar. If it isn't there, start the server once and it creates the file with defaults.
Do I need to restart after editing it?
Yes: the server reads server.properties at startup.
Where did pvp go in server.properties?
Since 1.21.9, PvP, the Nether, monsters and command blocks are game rules, set with /gamerule. The generator shows those keys only for versions before 1.21.9.
What view distance should I use?
The default is 10 chunks. Lower is lighter for the server, higher shows more of the world. The chunk calculator shows how many chunks that is per player and for everyone online.
Why did my MOTD turn into question marks?
The file was saved in the wrong encoding. The generator writes non-ASCII characters as \uXXXX, which always reads correctly.
The tools are free. So is anti-cheat protection
DGuard — the best anticheat for a modern Minecraft server — catches all 47 cheat types in our comparison; the nearest rival, Intave, catches 27. Free up to 30 players online, with the same protection as on paid plans.