Minecraft runs on RAM, and the game will use only what you tell it to use
By default, Minecraft uses between 512 MB and 1 GB of your computer's RAM, which is enough for small worlds and a few players. If your game stutters, freezes, or crashes when you load larger worlds or add mods, you likely need to increase the memory allocation. You do this by changing a single number in your launcher settings — it takes about two minutes and requires no downloads or technical knowledge.
The amount of RAM you can safely give Minecraft depends on how much your computer has total. A computer with 8 GB of RAM can spare 4 GB for Minecraft. A computer with 16 GB can spare 6 to 8 GB. Never allocate more than half your total RAM to Minecraft, because your operating system and other programs need memory to run.
Key Takeaways
- Minecraft's default memory is 512 MB to 1 GB, which causes lag and crashes in large worlds or with mods installed.
- You change memory allocation in the launcher settings under "JVM Arguments" by editing a single number that starts with "-Xmx".
- Never give Minecraft more than half your computer's total RAM, or your system will slow down.
- The change takes effect the next time you launch the game and requires no restart of your computer.
- If you use the Microsoft Launcher, the process is different from the Java Edition launcher.
How to increase RAM in the Java Edition launcher
Open the Minecraft Launcher and click the "Installations" tab at the top. Find the version you play (usually "Latest Release") and click the three dots next to it, then select "Edit". Scroll down until you see "JVM Arguments" — this is a text field with a long string of code starting with "-Xmx".
Look for the part that says -Xmx1G (or a number followed by G). The "1G" means 1 gigabyte. Change this number to however much RAM you want to give Minecraft. For example, change it to -Xmx4G for 4 gigabytes, or -Xmx6G for 6 gigabytes. Do not change anything else in that text field. Click "Save" and close the launcher.
The next time you launch Minecraft, it will use the new amount of RAM. You do not need to restart your computer. If the game still stutters, you can repeat these steps and increase the number further — try adding 1 GB at a time until the lag stops.
How to increase RAM in the Microsoft Launcher
Open the Microsoft Launcher and click the gear icon in the top right to open Settings. Select "General" on the left side, then scroll down to find "Allocated RAM" or "Memory". You will see a slider or a number field showing how much RAM is currently allocated.
Click the field and type the amount you want to give Minecraft, or drag the slider to the right. The launcher will show you how much RAM your computer has total, so you can see how much you are leaving for other programs. Click "Save" or "Done", then close the launcher.
Launch Minecraft from the Microsoft Launcher. The new memory setting takes effect when ready. If you do not see an "Allocated RAM" option, your version of the launcher may not have this feature — in that case, you will need to use the Java Edition launcher instead, or check the Microsoft support site for your specific launcher version.
Signs that you need more RAM
Minecraft uses more RAM the larger your world is, the more mods you have installed, and the more players are on your server. If you see any of these signs, increasing RAM will likely help: the game freezes for a few seconds at a time, chunks take a long time to load, the screen goes black or white for a moment when you turn around quickly, or the game crashes with an "out of memory" error message.
Not all lag is caused by RAM. If you increased RAM and the game still stutters, the problem may be your graphics settings (lower the render distance or turn off fancy graphics), your internet connection (if you are on a server), or your graphics card. But RAM is the first thing to check, because it is the easiest to change.
How much RAM different setups need
| Your setup | Recommended RAM allocation |
|---|---|
| Vanilla Minecraft, small world, single player | 1 to 2 GB |
| Vanilla Minecraft, large world, single player | 2 to 4 GB |
| Minecraft with 10 to 30 mods | 4 to 6 GB |
| Minecraft with 30+ mods or a large modpack | 6 to 8 GB |
| Minecraft server with 5 to 10 players | 4 to 6 GB |
These are starting points. If you have a computer with less than 8 GB of total RAM, start with 2 GB allocated to Minecraft and increase it slowly. If you have 16 GB or more, you can start at 4 GB and go up from there.
What happens if you allocate too much RAM
If you give Minecraft more RAM than your computer has available, your operating system will slow down dramatically because it has to use your hard drive as fake memory (called "virtual memory" or "swap"). This makes everything on your computer sluggish, not just Minecraft. The game may also crash.
The safest rule is to never allocate more than half your total RAM. If your computer has 8 GB, give Minecraft at most 4 GB. If it has 16 GB, give Minecraft at most 8 GB. You can always increase it later if you need to — there is no penalty for starting lower and working your way up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know how much RAM my computer has?
On Windows, right-click "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, click "Properties", and look for "Installed RAM". On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac", and look for "Memory". Write down the number and divide it by 2 — that is the maximum you should give Minecraft.
Will increasing RAM make the game run faster?
It will make the game run smoother by reducing freezes and lag, but it will not make your frame rate higher. Frame rate depends on your graphics card, not RAM. If you want more frames per second, lower your graphics settings instead.
Can I change the RAM allocation while the game is running?
No. You must close Minecraft completely, change the setting in the launcher, then launch the game again. The new amount takes effect when the game starts.
What if I do not see the JVM Arguments field in the Java launcher?
Click the small arrow or toggle next to "JVM Arguments" to expand it. If it is still not there, click "More Options" at the bottom of the installation settings page. The field should appear after that.
Does increasing RAM use more electricity?
Slightly, but not enough to notice on your electric bill. RAM uses very little power compared to your graphics card or processor. The main cost of allocating more RAM is that less memory is available for other programs on your computer.