How to Find the Server Address in Minecraft

Whether you're jumping into a friend's world or connecting to a public multiplayer server, knowing where to find — or enter — a server address is one of the first things you'll need to figure out in Minecraft. It sounds technical, but once you understand what a server address actually is and where to look, the process becomes straightforward.

What Is a Minecraft Server Address?

A server address in Minecraft is essentially the network location of a multiplayer server. Think of it like a website URL — it tells your game exactly where to connect on the internet (or your local network).

Server addresses come in two forms:

• IP address — A string of numbers like 192.168.1.10 (local) or 45.33.32.156 (internet-facing)
• Domain name — A readable hostname like play.hypixel.net that resolves to an IP behind the scenes

Both work the same way when you enter them into Minecraft. Domain names are just easier to remember and share.

Where to Find a Server Address 🔍

The answer depends on which server you're trying to connect to.

If You're Joining a Public Server

Public servers list their addresses openly. Here's where to look:

• The server's official website — Most major servers publish their address on the homepage or a dedicated "How to Play" page
• Minecraft server listing sites — Directories like Planet Minecraft or Minecraft Server List aggregate thousands of servers with their addresses displayed
• Community forums or Discord servers — If a friend or online community runs the server, the address is usually pinned in an announcements channel

The address is typically formatted as either a plain domain name or an IP with an optional port number appended (e.g., play.example.net:25565). Port 25565 is Minecraft's default — if no port is listed, the server is almost certainly using it.

If You're Running Your Own Server

When you host a Minecraft server yourself, the address depends on your setup:

• Local (LAN) server — If you start a world and open it to LAN via the pause menu, other players on the same Wi-Fi network can find your session listed automatically in the Multiplayer > LAN Games section. No manual address entry needed.
• Self-hosted dedicated server — Your local IP address (found through your OS network settings — ipconfig on Windows, ifconfig or ip a on Linux/macOS) is the address players on your network use. Players outside your network need your public IP, which you can find by searching "what is my IP" in a browser.
• Server hosted on a VPS or hosting service — The provider gives you an IP or hostname when you set up the server. This is usually visible in your hosting control panel or welcome email.

If a Friend Is Hosting

Ask them directly. They'll need to share either their local IP (if you're on the same network) or their public IP/domain (if you're connecting over the internet). Many players use free services like Playit.gg or configure port forwarding on their router to make this easier — both result in a shareable address.

How to Enter a Server Address in Minecraft

Once you have the address, here's the general process across versions:

Java Edition and Bedrock Edition run on separate server networks — a Java server address won't work in Bedrock and vice versa. Make sure you're using an address that matches your version.

Common Issues When a Server Address Doesn't Work

Even with the correct address, a few variables affect whether the connection succeeds:

• Wrong port — If the server runs on a non-default port and you omit it, the connection fails. Always check if a port is specified.
• Firewall or router blocking — Especially relevant for self-hosted servers; the port needs to be open and forwarded correctly.
• Version mismatch — Servers often run a specific Minecraft version. Connecting with a different client version causes an error. Some servers use plugins to support multiple versions.
• Server downtime — Public servers go offline for maintenance. If you can't connect, check the server's Discord or status page.
• Local vs. public IP confusion — Using a local IP (192.168.x.x) only works inside the same network. It won't work over the internet.

The Variables That Change Your Situation 🎮

Finding and using a server address sounds universal, but your experience varies based on:

• Java vs. Bedrock — Different ecosystems, different server pools
• Whether you're hosting or joining — Hosting requires more network knowledge
• Your network setup — Home routers, ISPs, and firewalls each add complexity
• Who controls the server — A managed hosting provider handles networking for you; self-hosting puts that responsibility on you
• Your technical comfort level — LAN play is nearly automatic; setting up a publicly accessible server involves router configuration and understanding IP types

Someone connecting to a large public server like Hypixel has an almost instant process — copy the address, paste it in, done. Someone setting up a private server for friends involves meaningfully more steps, and the "server address" itself changes depending on whether those friends are local or remote.

The right approach to finding — or sharing — your Minecraft server address ultimately comes down to your specific setup and who you're playing with. 🖥️