What a server address is and why you need one

A server address in Minecraft is the information other players type into their game to join your world. It consists of two parts: your computer's local network address (something like 192.168.1.5) and a port number (a four-digit number you choose, like 25565). Together, they tell another player's game exactly where to find your server on your home network.

You need a server address because Minecraft doesn't automatically know where to send connection requests. When someone wants to join your world, their game needs specific directions to your computer. Without a server address, they have no way to find you.

The address only works for players on your home network — people in the same house or connected to the same WiFi router. If someone outside your home wants to join, you would need port forwarding, which is a different process entirely and carries security risks that most home players should avoid.

Key Takeaways

  • Your server address combines your computer's local IP address with a port number you choose, and you find both through your router settings or network information.
  • The address format is always IP:port, such as 192.168.1.5:25565, and you share this exact text with other players on your network.
  • Port 25565 is Minecraft's default, but you can use any number between 1024 and 65535 as long as nothing else on your network is already using it.
  • You can find your local IP address on Windows through Command Prompt, on Mac through System Preferences, or by checking your router's connected devices list.
  • Test the address yourself first by joining your own server before sharing it with others, to catch configuration problems before they frustrate other players.

Finding your computer's local IP address

Your local IP address is a number your router assigns to your computer so other devices on the network can find it. It changes when you restart your computer or router, so you may need to check it again later. The easiest way to find it depends on what operating system you use.

On Windows: Open Command Prompt (search "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your network connection — that number is your local IP. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

On Mac: Open System Preferences, click Network, select your WiFi connection, and look for the IP address shown on the right side of the window. It follows the same pattern as Windows addresses.

On Linux: Open a terminal and type hostname -I, then press Enter. The number that appears is your local IP address.

If you want a permanent address that doesn't change, you can assign a static IP to your computer through your router settings, but that is optional for a home server — most players just check the address each time they start the server.

Choosing and testing a port number

A port is like a door on your computer. Minecraft needs its own door so it doesn't conflict with other programs that might be using different doors. Port 25565 is Minecraft's standard, but you can choose any number between 1024 and 65535.

Before you settle on a port, check that nothing else on your network is already using it. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type netstat -ano to see a list of ports in use. On Mac, open Terminal and type lsof -i -P -n. If your chosen port appears in the list, pick a different number.

The safest choice is to stick with 25565 unless you have a reason to change it. Other players expect that number, and it reduces the chance of conflicts with other software.

Building your server address and sharing it

Once you have your IP address and port number, combine them with a colon between them. If your IP is 192.168.1.5 and you chose port 25565, your server address is 192.168.1.5:25565. This is the exact text you give to other players.

Write it down or copy it somewhere you can find it easily — you will need to share it every time someone new wants to join. Some players take a screenshot of the address or paste it into a group chat so they do not have to type it by hand.

Make sure your Minecraft server is actually running before you share the address. If the server is off, players will see a "connection refused" error, and they will think the address is wrong when it is actually just that the server is not started yet.

Entering the address on another player's game

The player joining your server opens Minecraft, clicks Multiplayer, then clicks Add Server. In the Server Address field, they paste or type your address exactly as you gave it — including the colon and port number. The Server Name field can be anything they want; it is just a label for their own list.

After they click Done, your server appears in their multiplayer list. They click it and then click Join Server. If the connection works, they will load into your world within a few seconds.

If they see an error instead, the most common causes are: the server is not running, the address is typed wrong (check the colon and numbers), or their computer is not actually connected to your home network. Have them verify they are on the same WiFi as your server computer.

What to do if the address stops working

Your local IP address can change if your computer restarts or your router restarts. When that happens, the old address stops working, and you need to find the new one and share it with anyone who is trying to join.

To avoid this interruption, you can set a static IP address in your router settings so your computer always gets the same number. The steps vary by router model, but the general process is: log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), find the DHCP or IP settings, and reserve an address for your computer's MAC address. Your router's manual or support page will have the exact steps.

Alternatively, you can just check the address again each time it stops working and share the new one with your players. For casual home servers, this is usually simpler than setting up a static address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same server address if I restart my computer?

Not always. Your IP address may change after a restart, so you should check it again before players try to join. If the address stops working, find the new IP and share that instead. Setting a static IP in your router prevents this problem.

What if two people on my network want to run different servers?

Each server needs its own port number. One could use 192.168.1.5:25565 and the other could use 192.168.1.6:25565, or they could both run on the same computer with different ports like 192.168.1.5:25565 and 192.168.1.5:25566. Make sure each port is unique.

Do I need to open ports in my firewall?

For players on your home network, no — your firewall allows local connections automatically. If you ever want to let players outside your home join, you would need to open the port in your firewall and set up port forwarding on your router, which is more complex and carries security risks.

Why does my address have so many numbers?

The IP address identifies your specific computer on the network, and the port number identifies which program on that computer should receive the connection. Together they may support Minecraft on your computer gets the request, not some other program or device.

Can I give the same address to multiple people?

Yes. All players on your network use the same address to reach your server. You can share it with as many people as you want, and they all join the same world.