If you have ever tried to join a friend’s server or set up your own Minecraft world, you likely encountered the prompt asking for a server address. This seemingly simple field is the gateway to any multiplayer session, and getting it wrong is the most common reason for connection failures. The correct server address depends on whether you are connecting to a public server, playing with friends on a local network, or hosting your own instance, and understanding these differences is essential for a seamless experience.
Understanding the Basics of Server Addresses
At its core, a server address is the digital location that tells your Minecraft client where to find the specific world you want to play in. Unlike single-player games that load files directly from your computer, multiplayer games require your device to communicate with a remote computer running the server software. This communication relies on a specific format that combines either a domain name or an IP address with a port number to establish a connection.
IP Addresses vs. Domain Names
For technical purposes, every device connected to the internet has a unique numerical label known as an IP address, such as 192.168.1.10 or 203.0.113.45. While these numbers are the true identifiers used by computers, remembering them is impractical for humans. To solve this, most public servers utilize domain names like mc.hypixel.net or play.earthmc.net, which redirect to the correct IP address through the Domain Name System (DNS). Unless you are hosting locally, you will almost always enter a domain name rather than a raw string of numbers.
Finding the Address for Public Servers
The easiest method to find a server address is to look it up on a community directory. Websites such as Planet Minecraft, Minecraft-Server-List, and CurseForge host thousands of listings where administrators submit their server details, uptime statistics, and game versions. When browsing these sites, look for a button labeled "Copy Server Address" or similar; this action copies the exact string you need to paste into the multiplayer menu to ensure compatibility.
Official Realms and Popular Networks
If you are playing the Java Edition on a subscription-based service like Minecraft Realms, the address is handled automatically, and you usually only see a "Realms" tab in the multiplayer menu. However, for heavily moderated networks like Hypixel or CubeCraft, the address is the brand identity of the network. For example, the address for the Hypixel network is hypixel.net, while the Java Edition of Mineplex is accessed via play.mineplex.com. Using these addresses takes you directly to the server’s login portal where you can browse lobbies and game modes.
Local and LAN Multiplayer Scenarios
Playing with friends in the same house changes the dynamic significantly because you do not need to traverse the public internet. In this scenario, you need to find the local IP address of the host computer. On Windows, open the command prompt and type "ipconfig" to locate the IPv4 address, which usually looks like 192.168.1.x. On Mac or Linux, you can find this in System Preferences or via the terminal. Once the host is running the server, the address for other players is simply that number, such as 192.168.1.5:25565, with the port number added if it is non-standard.
