What a server address is and why you need it

A server address in Minecraft is the location where a multiplayer world lives — it's the internet address that tells your game where to connect when you want to play with other people. Think of it like a street address for a house: without it, you can't find the place. The server address is usually a string of numbers separated by dots (like 192.168.1.5) or a domain name (like play.example.com).

You need a server address whenever you want to join someone else's world instead of playing alone. Your own single-player worlds don't have a server address because they run on your own computer. But the moment you want to play with friends or join a public community, you're connecting to a server somewhere, and that server has an address.

Key Takeaways

  • A server address is the internet location where a multiplayer Minecraft world is hosted, written as either numbers (like 192.168.1.5) or a domain name (like play.example.com).
  • You find the server address by asking the person who runs it, checking their website or Discord, or looking at your router settings if it's a local network server.
  • The port number (the numbers after the colon) usually defaults to 25565 and rarely needs to be changed unless the server owner tells you otherwise.
  • You enter the server address in Minecraft's "Add Server" menu, which you reach from the multiplayer screen.
  • If the address doesn't work, the server may be offline, the address may be typed wrong, or your firewall may be blocking the connection.

Where to find a server address

The person who runs the server is your first source. If a friend invited you to play, ask them directly for the address — they should have it written down or know it by heart. If it's a public server you found online, the server's website or Discord server almost always lists the address prominently on the home page or in a pinned message.

For local servers (ones running on your home network), you need to find the IP address of the computer hosting it. Open Command Prompt on Windows (search for "cmd") or Terminal on Mac, type ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac), and look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that's your server address. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

If you're hosting the server yourself and someone is asking you for the address, go to a website like whatismyipaddress.com to find your public IP address. That's what people outside your home network need. People on your home network need the local address from ipconfig or ifconfig instead.

How to enter the server address in Minecraft

Open Minecraft and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Click the "Add Server" button. In the "Server Address" field, type the address exactly as you received it — spaces, capitals, and punctuation all matter. If the address came with a port number (the numbers after a colon, like play.example.com:25566), include those too.

The "Server Name" field is just a label for your own reference — call it whatever you want so you remember which server it is. Click "Done" and the server appears in your list. Click it and then click "Join Server" to connect.

If you're joining a local network server and the address is something like 192.168.1.5, you can usually leave off the port number and Minecraft will use the default (25565). If the server owner told you a specific port, add a colon and the number: 192.168.1.5:25566.

Understanding port numbers

The port number is the part after the colon in a server address. It's like an apartment number on a building — the server address gets you to the right computer, and the port gets you to the right application on that computer. The default Minecraft port is 25565, and most servers use it.

You only need to type a port number if the server owner told you to use one that's different from 25565. If they said "the address is play.example.com:25566", that colon and the number are part of what you type. If they just said "the address is play.example.com", don't add anything — Minecraft assumes port 25565.

What to do when the server address doesn't work

First, check that you typed it exactly right. Copy and paste the address from where you found it instead of typing it by hand — one wrong number or letter breaks the connection. Make sure there are no extra spaces at the beginning or end.

Second, confirm the server is actually running. Ask the person who runs it, or check their Discord or website to see if they posted that the server is down for maintenance. Public servers sometimes go offline for updates or restart.

Third, check your internet connection. Open a web browser and go to any website — if that works, your internet is fine. If it doesn't, restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in) and try again.

If the address is a local network address (starts with 192.168 or 10.0), make sure both computers are on the same WiFi network. If one is on WiFi and one is wired, they might not see each other depending on your router settings. If you're trying to connect from outside your home, you need the public IP address, not the local one.

The difference between local and public server addresses

A local server address only works when you're on the same home network as the server. These addresses start with 192.168 or 10.0 and look like 192.168.1.5. They're fast and don't require any special setup, but they only work for people in your house or on your WiFi.

A public server address works from anywhere on the internet. These are either domain names (like play.example.com) or public IP addresses (the kind you find on whatismyipaddress.com). They're slower than local addresses and require the person running the server to have set up port forwarding on their router, but anyone in the world can connect.

If you're trying to play with someone outside your home and they gave you a local address (192.168.x.x), that won't work — ask them for their public IP address or domain name instead. If you're playing with someone in your house and they gave you a public address, it will work, but a local address will be faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a server address from someone else's computer?

Yes, as long as they're running a Minecraft server and they give you the correct address. The server address is public information — it's meant to be shared. Make sure you have permission from the server owner before joining.

What does "connection refused" or "connection timed out" mean?

Connection refused means the server received your request but rejected it — usually because the address or port is wrong, or the server isn't actually running Minecraft. Connection timed out means your computer never heard back — usually because the address doesn't exist, the server is offline, or a firewall is blocking you.

Do I need to change the port number?

Almost never. The default port 25565 works for nearly all servers. Only change it if the server owner specifically told you to use a different port number.

Why does my server address have numbers and my friend's has a name?

Both work the same way. A domain name (like play.example.com) is easier to remember, but it requires the server owner to buy a domain and set it up. A raw IP address (like 192.168.1.5) works without any extra setup. They point to the same place.

Can I find the server address of a server I'm already playing on?

Not directly from inside Minecraft. Check your server list in the multiplayer menu — the address should be listed there. If you're not sure, ask the server owner or check their website.