Server.properties Minecraft Server File

The Server.properties file contains the settings for a multi-player minecraft server. This includes Classic, Alpha and Beta servers. The server reads from this file, when it is started and sets certain parameters. These parameters are identified by specific keys. In this file, the word/words present on the left side of the ‘=’ sign are the keys. The word/words on the right side of the ‘=’ are the values. You can edit this file and set the values as required. Lines starting with ‘#’ indicate comments. Anything written after ‘#’ on the same line, is not taken into account by the server.

The server.properties can be edited using any text editor, like Notepad for Windows.

Important:-
Do not change any of the keys or their order, as this might cause problems for the minecraft server, when starting up. You can change only the values.
Any changes made to the Server.properties file will take effect only on restarting the server.

The presently available server.properties as of Minecraft 1.1 Server is as follows:-
———————————————————————————————————
#Minecraft server properties
#Date and time of creation of file
allow-nether=true
level-name=world
enable-query=false
allow-flight=false
server-port=25565
level-type=DEFAULT
enable-rcon=false
level-seed=
server-ip=
spawn-npcs=true
white-list=false
spawn-animals=true
online-mode=true
pvp=true
difficulty=1
gamemode=0
max-players=20
spawn-monsters=true
generate-structures=true
view-distance=10
motd=A Minecraft Server
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The value assigned to this key will be used for the names of the world and the folder in which the Map is created.
Valid values – A set of characters, or words or single line of text are valid. When using special characters like (‘), a backslash might have to be placed before it.
Default – world

Sets the level of difficulty for the game. The different levels available are:-
0 – Peaceful; 1 – Easy; 2 – Normal; 3 – Hard
Default – 1

When set to true, it allows Portals to send players to the Nether. When set to false, it disallows the same. This was introduced in Beta 1.6.
Valid values – true or false
Default – true

Enables player to get server information using the GameSpy4 protocol server listener.
Valid values – true and false
Default – false

Allows remote access to server console when set to true.
Valid values – true and false
Default – false

Allows setting the game mode.
Valid values:-
0 – Survival; 1 – Creative
Default – 0

Allows generation of structures like NPC Villages if set to true.
Valid values – true and false
Default – true

Set it to DEFAULT for the Default world (hills, water, valleys), and FLAT for a plain world with no features.
Valid values – DEFAULT and FLAT
Default – DEFAULT

It is the amount of chunks sent by the server to the client, in each direction of the player. It is measured in chunks.
Valid values – Ranges from 3 to 15.
Default – 10.

When set to true, it allows spawning of monsters at night. And when set to false, monsters will not be spawned.
Valid values – true or false
Default – true

Note:- If you are experiencing a lot of lag when playing the game, it is recommended that you set this value to false.

NPCs or Non-player Characters will be spawned if set to true.
Valid values – true and false
Default – true

If set to true, the server will check each player connecting to it, to the official player-database in minecraft.net. Only players in the database will be allowed to connect. If set to false, this checking is not done.
Valid values – true or false
Default – true

Note:- If set to true, ensure that the internet connection is working properly, else, the server will not let any player connect to it, since it will not be able to check with the online database. However, it is recommended that this value be set to true, because, if set to false, there are chances of hackers and griefers connecting to the server and causing harm.

If set to true, animals can be spawned. If set to false, animals will vanish.
Valid values – true or false
Default – true

Tip:- If this key is set to true, you need to guard your gardens.

The maximum number of players that can be connected to a server at a particular time.
Valid values – Any number between 0 and 999.
Default – 20

Note:- Admin connections are not counted in the max-players count.

The IP address of the server. Here is a detailed article on how to find the IP address of Minecraft server.
Valid values – IP address or blank
Default -

This stands for player vs player. When set to true, players will be able to kill other players. When set to false, killing other players is disabled.
Valid values – true or false
Default – true

Note:- Even if pvp is set to false, a player with tamed wolves, can hit another player and have the wolves attack this other player.

For adding a seed for your world.
Valid values – letters or number or a mixture of both
Default -

Sets the port for querying the server.
Valid values – 1 to 65535
Default – 25575

Sets password to rcon.
Valid values – string
Default -

Sets port to rcon.
Valid values – 1 to 65535
Default – 25565

The port on which the server accepts connections.
Valid values – 1 to 65535.
Default – 25565

Note:- Ensure that the port you set here, is not used by any other program. Usually the standard programs and services come with fixed port numbers which lie in the lower range, below 1024.
If you’re using a router, port forwarding needs to be done.

When set to true, the connecting players will be checked against the white list, generated from the white-list.txt. They’ll be allowed to connect only if they are present in the white list. When set to false, even players not present in the white list can connect.
Valid values – true or false
Default – false

When set to true, allows flight for players with a suitable mod (that offers flight), installed. When set to false, disallows flight.
Valid values – true or false
Default – false

When set to true, the server will check the names of the players with minecraft.net. When set to false, it will verify if the IP address matches.
Valid values – true or false

Note:- It is believed, not confirmed though, that the server does not really use this key anymore.

If set to true, the server will allow ops to connect despite the maximum players being connected. By default it is false.
Valid values – true or false.

If set to true, the server will be displayed in the public list of servers in minecraft.net.
Valid values – true or false

Note:- When set to true, anyone can see your server name and will be able to join. When set to false, only those people who know your IP address and port number will be able to join.

The name of your server. You could give any name. This will appear in the public list.
Valid values – A set of characters, or words or single line of text are valid. When using special characters like (‘), a backslash might have to be placed before it.

Same as what’s mentioned earlier.

The maximum number of connections that a server will accept from the same IP.
Valid values – 1 to 3. Anything above 3 will be converted back to 3 again.

This stands for Message of the Day. You could type in anything. It will be displayed to the players, when they connect to your server.
Valid values – anything
Default – A Minecraft Server

If set to true, the planted saplings can grow into trees. Else, if false, the saplings will not grow.
Valid values – true or false

Get more details about this at server.properties Minecraft Wiki.