How to find your Minecraft server IP address

The address players type to join your server is not a secret code, it is just where the server lives on the internet. Which address to give out depends on where the server runs.

On a hosting service

A hosted server has a name made for it, such as my-server.play.saryno.com. You find it at the top of the server page in the dashboard, with a Copy button. Give that to your friends. There is no port to add: the default Minecraft port, 25565, is used when nobody types one.

On your own computer

If the server runs on the same computer you play on, you join with localhost. For other people there are three different addresses:

• Same home network (Wi-Fi): your computer's local address, which looks like 192.168.1.23. On Windows run ipconfig, on Mac or Linux run ifconfig or ip addr, and look for the line for your network.
• Over the internet: your public IP address, which is what a website such as "what is my IP" shows. Your router also has to forward port 25565 to the computer running the server, and your provider must not block it. Many home connections share one address between several customers, which makes this impossible.
• A name instead of numbers: a domain name or a dynamic DNS name pointing at your public address, so the address survives it changing.

This is the main reason people move to hosting: home or hosted compares the trade-offs.

Ports

An address can end in a colon and a number, like play.example.com:25570. That number is the port. If it is missing, Java Edition uses 25565 and Bedrock Edition uses 19132. You only type a port when the server uses a different one.

When friends cannot connect

1. Check it is online with the server status checker.
2. Check the version. A player on a much older or newer version sees "incompatible". Plugins like ViaVersion let more versions in.
3. Check the address for typos, including a stray space or a missing dot.
4. Check the whitelist. If it is on, the player must be added, see how to whitelist.
5. For a home server, check the router forwards the port and the computer's firewall allows Java.

Once it works, put the address in your server's listing so new players can find it.