Minecraft guides
How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?
2 to 4 GB for vanilla with a few friends, 6 to 8 GB for plugins or a light modpack, and 10 GB or more for a heavy modpack. What the server runs matters more than how many players it has.
Memory by what your server runs
| What you're running | Players | Memory | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla or Bedrock with a few friends | 1 to 5 | 2 to 4 GB | £2 a month |
| Vanilla with a bigger group | 5 to 15 | 4 to 6 GB | £4 a month |
| Paper or Purpur with plugins | 10 to 30 | 6 to 8 GB | £6 a month |
| A light modpack (up to about 100 mods) | Up to 10 | 6 to 8 GB | £6 a month |
| A heavy modpack (All the Mods, 200+ mods) | Up to 10 | 10 to 12 GB | £9.50 a month |
| A heavy modpack with more players, or a busy public server | 10 or more | 12 to 16 GB | £11 a month |
What uses the most memory
- Mods. Each one adds to what the server holds in memory. A pack with 200 or more mods can need several times what vanilla does, before anyone joins.
- Loaded chunks. Players spread out across the map, a high view distance, and chunk loaders all keep more of the world in memory.
- Players. Each one adds a little, mostly through the chunks around them.
- Plugins. Most are light; big ones (maps, economy, minigames) add up.
If you're not sure
Start at the lower end for what you're running and move up if you see lag or memory errors. Changing plan keeps your world, files and settings. For a modpack, check its page: many list the memory they recommend. See the plans.
Questions
Is more RAM always better?
No. Past what a server needs, extra memory does nothing, and a very large amount can make Java's clean-ups take longer, which shows up as short freezes. Give it what it needs, plus a little room.
Does Bedrock need less than Java?
Yes, usually. A Bedrock server with a few friends runs comfortably at the low end of the vanilla range.
How do I know my server needs more?
Lag that gets worse the longer the server runs, crashes mentioning memory (OutOfMemoryError), or memory use sitting near the limit on your server's page. Those mean it's time to move up a size.
Can I change the amount later?
Yes. Move to a bigger plan any time from your client area, paying only the difference for the rest of your billing period. Your world and files stay as they are.
More on running a Minecraft server