A server address is the location your game uses to find and connect to a Minecraft world

When you play Minecraft alone, the game runs on your own computer. When you play with other people, your computer needs to know where to send your actions — where the shared world actually lives. A server address is the text label that tells your game how to find that location. It works the same way a web address tells your browser where to find a website.

The server address can be a domain name (like play.example.com) or an IP address (like 192.168.1.5). Both point to the same thing: a computer or service running the Minecraft server software. When you type the address into your game client, Minecraft looks up that location, connects to it, and loads the world stored there.

Key Takeaways

  • A server address is a text location — either a domain name or IP address — that tells your Minecraft client where to find the shared world.
  • Local servers (on your home network) use IP addresses like 192.168.1.5, while public servers use domain names like play.hypixel.net.
  • You enter the server address in the Multiplayer menu under "Direct Connection" or by adding it to your server list.
  • The person running the server provides the address; you do not create one yourself unless you are hosting the server.

How server addresses work in Minecraft

Your Minecraft client is the game running on your computer. The server is a separate program running somewhere else — either on another computer in your home, on a computer in a data center, or on a rented hosting service. When you connect using a server address, your client sends data to that server (your position, what you broke, what you built), and the server sends back the world state so everyone sees the same thing.

The server address is how your client finds the server in the first place. Without it, your game would not know where to look. Think of it like a mailing address: the address itself does not contain the house, but it tells the mail carrier where to find it.

The difference between local and public server addresses

A local server address is one on your home network. These usually look like 192.168.1.5 or localhost:25565. They work only if you are on the same WiFi or ethernet connection as the server computer. If your friend is in the same house and you both want to play together, the person hosting the server gives everyone else the local IP address.

A public server address is one you can reach from anywhere on the internet. These usually look like play.hypixel.net or mc.example.com. The server is running on a computer with a permanent internet connection, often rented from a hosting company. Anyone in the world can connect if they have the address.

The difference matters because a local address only works for people physically near the server. If you want to play with someone across the country, you need a public address or a service like Realms that handles the connection for you.

Where to find a server address

If you are joining someone else's server, they give you the address. It might come in a Discord message, a website, a forum post, or a text from a friend. Copy it exactly as they wrote it — capitalization and punctuation matter.

If you are hosting your own server on your computer, you need to know your own IP address. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "IPv4 Address" under your network adapter. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type ifconfig. That number is what you give to other people so they can connect to your world.

If you are renting a server from a hosting company like Aternos, Nitrado, or Shockbyte, they provide the address in your account dashboard. It is usually displayed prominently so you can share it with friends.

How to enter a server address in Minecraft

Open Minecraft and click Multiplayer. You will see a list of servers you have joined before. To add a new one, click "Direct Connection" and paste the server address into the text field. Then click "Join Server." Minecraft will try to connect; if the address is correct and the server is running, you will load into the world.

Alternatively, you can click "Add Server" to save the address to your list so you do not have to type it every time. Give it a name (like "Friend's World" or "Hypixel"), paste the address, and click Done. The server now appears in your Multiplayer menu.

If the connection fails, you will see an error message. Common reasons are: the address is typed wrong, the server is offline, the server is full, or your internet connection is blocked by a firewall. Ask the server owner to confirm the address is correct and that the server is currently running.

Server addresses and ports

Sometimes a server address includes a port number, like 192.168.1.5:25566. The colon and number tell your game which port on that computer to connect to. Port 25565 is the default Minecraft port, so if no port is listed, your game assumes 25565.

You only need to type a different port if the server owner specifically told you to. Most public servers use the default port and do not require you to add anything. Local servers sometimes use different ports if multiple servers are running on the same computer.

Why you might not see a server address

Minecraft Realms is a subscription service that handles server addresses for you. When you join a Realm, you do not type an address — you just click the world in your menu. Realms runs the server on Microsoft's computers and manages the connection automatically. This is simpler but costs money, whereas a free server address requires you to manage the connection yourself.

Some servers also use services like ngrok or Cloudflare Tunnel to hide their real address and add security. You still type an address, but it routes through an extra layer. From your perspective, it works the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I type the server address wrong?

Minecraft will fail to connect and show an error like "Can't connect to server" or "Connection refused." Check the address character by character — capitalization, dots, colons, and hyphens all matter. Ask the server owner to confirm the correct address if you are unsure.

Can I use a server address on console versions of Minecraft?

Console versions (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) do not support direct server addresses. You can only join servers through the in-game server list or through Realms. Java Edition on PC is the version that accepts typed server addresses.

Is my server address the same as my IP address?

For a local server, yes — your IP address is the server address. For a public server, the server address is usually a domain name (like play.example.com) that points to an IP address behind the scenes. You do not need to know the IP; the domain name works the same way.

What happens if the server goes offline?

You will see a connection error when you try to join. The server address itself does not change, but the computer running the server is not responding. Once the server is back online, the same address will work again.

Can I change a server address after I have joined?

No. A server address is permanent for that world. If the server owner moves the world to a new computer or hosting service, they will give you a new address and you will need to add it as a separate server in your list.