The server address is the location Minecraft uses to find and connect to another player's world

When you play Minecraft alone, your game runs on your own computer. When you want to play with other people, you need to connect to a server — a computer somewhere else that is running the game world everyone shares. The server address is the text you type into Minecraft to tell your game where that computer is. It looks like a web address: something like play.example.com or 192.168.1.5:25565.

The server address does two things. First, it tells your game which computer to look for. Second, it tells your game which port — think of it as a specific door on that computer — to knock on. Most Minecraft servers use port 25565 by default, so you often do not need to type it. But if a server uses a different port, you have to include it after a colon, like play.example.com:25566.

Key Takeaways

  • A server address is the location you type into Minecraft to connect to another player's world, similar to typing a web address into a browser.
  • Server addresses can be domain names like play.example.com or IP addresses like 192.168.1.5, and most include a port number after a colon.
  • Port 25565 is the standard Minecraft port, so you usually do not need to type it unless the server owner tells you to use a different one.
  • You find the server address from the person running the server, a server list website, or by checking your router if someone is hosting from their home computer.

Domain names versus IP addresses

A server address can be written two ways. A domain name is the easier one to remember: play.example.com or minigames.net. These are the same kind of addresses you type into a web browser. Behind the scenes, your computer looks up that name and finds the actual IP address.

An IP address is a string of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.5 or 203.0.113.42. This is the real location of the computer. If someone is running a server from their home, they will usually give you their IP address instead of a domain name, because domain names cost money and require extra setup.

For a server you are joining, it does not matter which format you use — both work the same way. Type whichever one the server owner gave you into the "Server Address" field in Minecraft's multiplayer menu, and your game will find it.

Where to find a server address

If a friend is running a server, ask them directly for the address. They should know it or be able to find it in their server settings. If you want to join a public server run by someone you do not know, websites like Planet Minecraft, Minecraft Server List, and CurseForge host directories where server owners post their addresses and what kind of world they are running.

If someone in your house is running a server on their computer and you want to connect from another computer on the same home network, you need their local IP address instead of their public one. You can find this by opening Command Prompt on Windows and typing ipconfig, or opening Terminal on Mac and typing ifconfig. Look for the address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 — that is the one you type into Minecraft.

How to enter the server address in Minecraft Java Edition

Open Minecraft and click "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Click "Add Server" or "Direct Connection" depending on whether you want to save this server for later or just join it once. A text field labeled "Server Address" will appear. Type the address exactly as the server owner gave it to you — capitalization does not matter, but spaces and punctuation do.

If the server uses the standard port 25565, you only need to type the domain name or IP address. If the server owner told you to use a different port, type a colon after the address and then the port number, like play.example.com:25566. Click "Join Server" and wait for your game to connect. The first time can take a few seconds while your game downloads the world.

How to enter the server address in Minecraft Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition — the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile — works slightly differently. Open the game and go to "Play" from the main menu. Look for "Servers" on the left side and click "Add Server". You will see fields for "Server Name" (what you want to call it), "Server Address", and "Port".

Type the server address in the "Server Address" field without the port number. Then type the port number in the "Port" field separately. Most servers use port 19132 for Bedrock, not 25565, so ask the server owner which port to use. After you fill in both fields, click "Save" and then click the server to join.

What to do if the server address does not work

If you type the address and your game says "Cannot connect to server", check three things first. Make sure you typed the address exactly right — copy and paste it from a message if the server owner sent it to you, rather than typing it by hand. Make sure you are using the correct port number if one was specified. Make sure your internet connection is working by opening a web browser and visiting a website.

If all three are correct and the server still will not connect, the server might be offline or full. Ask the server owner if the server is currently running. If you are trying to join a public server from a website, check the server list to see if it shows as online. Some servers also have a maximum number of players, so you might have to wait for someone to leave before you can join.

The difference between hosting and joining

If you are joining a server, you only need the server address — the person running the server handles everything else. If you want to host your own server so others can join you, you need to set up server software on your computer, configure it, and then give other players your address. That is a separate process from what this guide covers.

For most players, you will only ever be joining servers. You type the address, click join, and play. The server owner worries about keeping the server running and making sure the address stays the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a server address from a website I found online?

Yes. Websites like Planet Minecraft and Minecraft Server List host public servers that anyone can join. Copy the server address from the listing, paste it into Minecraft's multiplayer menu, and join. Make sure the server is marked as online before you try, since some servers go offline between sessions.

What if I want to play with someone but they do not have a server address yet?

One of you can host a server using Minecraft's built-in "Open to LAN" feature, which creates a temporary server just for people on your home network. For playing across the internet, you would need to set up server software, which is beyond what this guide covers — look for Minecraft server hosting guides for that process.

Is the port number always the same?

Port 25565 is the default for Java Edition, and port 19132 is the default for Bedrock Edition. Some server owners change this to run multiple servers on one computer or for other technical reasons. Always ask the server owner what port to use if they do not mention it — using the wrong port will prevent you from connecting.

Can I change the server address after I join?

No. Once you are in a world, you are connected to that server. To join a different server, you have to leave the world, go back to the multiplayer menu, and add or select a different server address.

What does the colon and number at the end of a server address mean?

The colon and number specify which port on the server computer to use. Think of a computer as a building with many doors — the port number tells your game which door to knock on. Most servers use the default port, so you do not see this in practice, but some server owners change it for technical reasons.