Server tools

Minecraft server RAM calculator

Answer four questions and get a memory estimate for your server, plus the plan size to look for when you rent hosting.

Your server

Server software

Players online at the same time: 10

Plugins: 15

View distance (chunks): 10

The default is 10. Each step up loads noticeably more world around every player.

Players explore a lot (new chunks generate all the time)

Estimate

4GB

This is an estimate from common rules of thumb, not a guarantee. Start here, watch memory use for a week, and move up a plan if it stays above 80%.

How the estimate works

A Minecraft server needs memory for the game itself, for every loaded chunk, for each player, and for every plugin or mod. The calculator starts from a base for your server software, adds memory per player and per plugin or mod, then scales it for view distance and exploration. The result is rounded up to the next whole gigabyte, because hosting plans are sold that way.

Quick rules of thumb

Vanilla or Paper, a few friends: 2–3 GB is usually enough.
Paper with 20–40 players and a handful of plugins: 4–6 GB.
Light modpacks (under 100 mods): 6–8 GB.
Large modpacks (200+ mods): 8–12 GB or more.

More RAM doesn't fix every lag problem. Minecraft runs most of the world on one CPU thread, so a host with fast single-core performance matters as much as memory.

FAQ

Can I give a server too much RAM?

Yes. Allocating far more than the server uses can make Java's garbage collection pauses longer. Allocate what you need plus some headroom.

Why does view distance matter so much?

Each player loads a square of chunks around them. Going from 10 to 16 view distance loads roughly 2.5 times as many chunks per player.

Is Paper lighter than Vanilla?

Paper is usually more efficient with CPU and handles more players smoothly. Memory use is similar; plugins are what add up.