How Much RAM for Minecraft Server?
Calculate exactly how much RAM your server needs based on player count, modpack, and server type.
Quick RAM Guide
Vanilla / Paper Servers
- 1-5 players4GB
- 5-15 players4GB
- 15-30 players6GB
- 30-100 players8-10GB
Modded Servers
- Light (1-100 mods)4-6GB
- Medium (100-250 mods)6-8GB
- Heavy (250+ mods)8-12GB
RAM Requirements by Server Type
Vanilla / Paper Servers
| Players | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 2GB | 4GB |
| 5-15 | 3GB | 4GB |
| 15-30 | 4GB | 6GB |
| 30-100 | 6GB | 8-10GB |
Modded Servers (Forge/Fabric)
| Modpack Type | Examples | RAM Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Light (1-100 mods) | Better MC, Pixelmon | 4-6GB |
| Medium (100-250 mods) | Create, RLCraft | 6-8GB |
| Heavy (250+ mods) | ATM9, FTB packs | 8-12GB |
What Uses RAM on a Minecraft Server?
- World chunks - Each loaded chunk uses memory. More players = more loaded chunks
- Entities - Mobs, items, and minecarts all consume RAM
- Mods/Plugins - Each mod adds memory overhead, especially large ones
- Player data - Inventories, achievements, and positions
- Java overhead - The JVM itself needs memory to run
Common Mistakes
Allocating too much RAM
More RAM isn't always better. Allocating 32GB to a small server causes garbage collection issues and actually increases lag.
Not setting minimum RAM
Always set -Xms (minimum) equal to -Xmx (maximum) to prevent constant memory reallocation.
Right approach
Start with recommended RAM, monitor usage, and adjust if you see consistent 90%+ usage or OutOfMemory errors.
Optimizing RAM Usage
- Use Paper or Purpur instead of vanilla - they're more memory efficient
- Install Chunky to pre-generate chunks and reduce lag spikes
- Set a world border to limit chunk generation
- Use entity limiting plugins like ClearLagg
- Optimize view distance in server.properties (8-10 is usually fine)
Get the Right Amount of RAM
Our hosting plans are sized for real-world usage. No guessing, no overpaying for RAM you don't need.