Following up on the the previous tutorial How to create your Minecraft server , one key function to know about is the amount of RAM allowed to the server. Minecraft is highly dependent on resources especially on RAM. Allocating more is not a very complicated process and the following guide will describe how to do so on Linux-based ones.
Key Points
- Minecraft servers require a significant amount of RAM for optimal performance.
- Allocating RAM to a Minecraft server on Linux is a straightforward process.
- Users can adjust the RAM allocation by modifying the start command arguments.
Minecraft Server RAM Allocation Command Explained
Minecraft server memory allocation is controlled directly through the Java startup command. When starting the server, Java parameters define both the minimum and maximum amount of RAM that the Minecraft server is allowed to use. These parameters are critical for performance, especially on servers with multiple players or mods installed. The start command has a number of arguments including the one related to RAM allocation:
java -Xmx4096M -Xms4096M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
The -Xmx parameter defines the maximum amount of RAM the Minecraft server can use, while -Xms specifies the initial amount of RAM allocated at startup. In most cases, setting both values to the same amount helps maintain stable performance and avoids dynamic memory resizing during gameplay. The interesting bit is this:
-Xmx4096M -Xms4096M
How to Increase and Set Minecraft Server RAM
Replace the value in megabytes of 4096 on both arguments with the available RAM of your machine. For example, you could replace them with 8192M which means 8 GB of RAM allocated on startup to the Minecraft server.
A full example with 8GB :
java -Xmx8192M -Xms8192M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
After updating the command, restart the Minecraft server for the changes to take effect. Proper RAM allocation can significantly improve server stability, reduce lag, and provide a smoother experience.
For more advanced server customization and plugin management, you may also want to check out our guide on how to configure a Minecraft server on the Bukkit platform. Adjust the RAM allocation based on your server usage, number of players, and installed plugins or mods to achieve the best balance between performance and stability.
Enjoy!
