Back to Tools

Minecraft Server.properties Generator

Generate an optimized server.properties file for your Minecraft server with recommended performance settings.

Network Settings

Set to -1 to disable compression. Higher values save CPU at the cost of bandwidth.

Performance Settings

Set simulation-distance lower than view-distance for better performance. Players will see chunks but they won't be actively ticked.

World Settings

Security & Access

Blocks around spawn that non-ops cannot modify. Set to 0 to disable.

Gameplay Options

server.properties

#Minecraft server properties
#Generated by Dedicated Minecraft Hosting - https://dedicatedminecraft.host/tools/server-properties
#For more optimization tips, visit our server optimization guide

#Network Settings
server-port=25565
server-ip=
network-compression-threshold=256
max-players=20
online-mode=true

#World Settings
level-name=world
level-seed=
level-type=minecraft:normal
gamemode=survival
difficulty=normal
hardcore=false
pvp=true
spawn-protection=16

#Performance Settings
view-distance=10
simulation-distance=10
max-tick-time=60000
sync-chunk-writes=true

#Gameplay Settings
motd=A Minecraft Server
enable-command-block=false
spawn-npcs=true
spawn-animals=true
spawn-monsters=true
allow-flight=false
allow-nether=true

#Query & RCON
enable-query=false
enable-rcon=false
#rcon.password=

#Whitelist
white-list=false
enforce-whitelist=false

Need a Server to Use This Config?

Get instant Minecraft server hosting with optimized configurations pre-applied. All our servers run on NVMe SSDs with DDoS protection.

View Hosting Plans

Understanding Minecraft Server.properties

The server.properties file is the main configuration file for any Minecraft server. It controls everything from basic settings like the server port and maximum players to advanced performance options like view distance and chunk loading behavior. Our free server.properties generator helps you create an optimized configuration file tailored to your server's needs.

Key Performance Settings

simulation-distance vs view-distance

Simulation distance controls how far from the player entities will tick (mobs move, crops grow, redstone works). View distance controls how far players can see. Setting simulation-distance lower (3-4) while keeping view-distance higher (8-10) lets players see further without the performance cost of ticking all those chunks.

sync-chunk-writes

On vanilla, Fabric, and Spigot servers, this should be set to false for better performance. This allows chunks to be saved asynchronously, reducing main thread load. Paper and its forks automatically disable this.

network-compression-threshold

Controls when packets are compressed. Value of 256 is a good balance. Set to -1 to disable compression (useful for servers behind a proxy). Higher values save CPU but use more bandwidth.

Security Recommendations

  • Keep online-mode true unless you're using a proxy like Velocity or BungeeCord that handles authentication
  • Use a whitelist for private servers to prevent unauthorized players from joining
  • Set a strong RCON password if you enable RCON, and consider using a firewall to limit access
  • Spawn protection prevents griefing at spawn - set to 0 if using a plugin for protection instead

Recommended Settings by Server Type

Small SMP (1-10 players)

  • view-distance: 10-12
  • simulation-distance: 6-8
  • max-players: 10
  • sync-chunk-writes: false

Medium Server (10-50 players)

  • view-distance: 8
  • simulation-distance: 4
  • max-players: 50
  • sync-chunk-writes: false

Large Network (50+ players)

  • view-distance: 6
  • simulation-distance: 3
  • max-players: 100+
  • Use Paper/Purpur

Important Notes

  • • After editing server.properties, you must restart the server for changes to take effect
  • • The server.properties file is created automatically when you first run your server
  • • Some hosting panels override certain settings - check your panel's configuration
  • • For Paper/Purpur servers, many settings are better configured in paper-world-defaults.yml

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I put the server.properties file?

The server.properties file should be placed in the root directory of your Minecraft server, alongside your server JAR file. If one already exists, replace it with your new configuration. The server will read this file when it starts.

What is the best view-distance setting?

The optimal view-distance depends on your server's resources and player count. For most servers, 8-10 chunks is a good balance. Lower values (6-8) are better for busy servers, while higher values (10-12) work for small SMPs. Remember to set simulation-distance lower than view-distance for better performance.

Should I disable online-mode?

Only disable online-mode if you're running a server behind a proxy (Velocity, BungeeCord) that handles authentication, or if you specifically want to allow cracked clients. Disabling it otherwise opens your server to security risks like name spoofing.

What's the difference between simulation and view distance?

View distance determines how many chunks are sent to players (what they can see). Simulation distance determines how many chunks are actively ticked (where game logic runs). By setting simulation distance lower, chunks outside that range are "frozen" - visible but not processing game logic, which significantly improves performance.

Do I need to restart the server after changing server.properties?

Yes, the server.properties file is only read when the server starts. You must fully stop and restart your server for changes to take effect. Using /reload will not apply server.properties changes.