Minecraft MOTD generator guide: colors, formatting, and examples
Create a readable Minecraft MOTD with color codes, two-line formatting, server.properties output, MiniMessage, and examples for public server lists.
A Minecraft MOTD is the short message players see in the multiplayer server list before they join. A good MOTD tells players what the server is, which version it supports, and why it is worth clicking.
Use the Minecraft MOTD generator to build a two-line preview, test colors, and copy the right output for your server software. For most public servers, the safest MOTD is short, readable, and clear enough to understand at a glance.
Last reviewed: June 2026. Tested with Java server.properties MOTD output, legacy color codes, ampersand plugin formats, MiniMessage output, and ServerBuddy status previews.
What is a Minecraft MOTD?
MOTD means "message of the day." In Minecraft, it usually means the message shown under a server name in the multiplayer server list.
For public servers, the MOTD has one simple job: help the right player understand the server before joining.
| Question | Good MOTD answer |
|---|---|
| What is this server? | Survival SMP, Skyblock, Lifesteal, Factions, Creative, Pixelmon, or another clear type |
| Can I join with my client? | Version, edition, or a clear version range |
| Is something happening now? | Fresh world, season reset, event, beta, whitelist, or no-griefing rule |
| Does it look maintained? | Clean formatting, no broken colors, and no unreadable text |
The fastest way to make a Minecraft MOTD
- Open the Minecraft MOTD generator.
- Write line 1 with the server name and main mode.
- Write line 2 with the version, event, season, or rule.
- Add one or two colors.
- Preview the server-list card.
- Copy the right output format.
- Paste it into
server.properties, your plugin config, or your proxy config. - Restart or reload the server, depending on the software.
- Check the public result with the Minecraft server status checker.
A clean first draft looks like this:
motd=§aExampleSMP §7| §fSurvival\n§e1.21+ §8- §bFresh worldThat gives players a readable two-line message: ExampleSMP | Survival and 1.21+ - Fresh world. The colors help separate the name, mode, version, and status. They do not replace the words.
Which MOTD format should you copy?
Minecraft servers and plugins do not all use the same text format. That is where most MOTD mistakes happen.
| Format | Example | Use it for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain text | ExampleSMP | Survival | Any setup where formatting is not needed | Safe, but less noticeable |
| Section-sign codes | §aExampleSMP §fSurvival | Vanilla-style MOTD fields and many server configs | Some host panels may strip or rewrite the § character |
| Ampersand codes | &aExampleSMP &fSurvival | Plugins or panels that say they convert & codes | Vanilla server.properties usually will not convert these by itself |
server.properties output | motd=§aExampleSMP\n§fSurvival | Java server config | Keep it on the motd= line |
| MiniMessage | <green>ExampleSMP <white>Survival | Paper, Velocity, plugins, or tools that explicitly support MiniMessage | Do not paste MiniMessage into vanilla server.properties unless your setup says it supports it |
ServerBuddy's MOTD tool exports legacy section-sign output, ampersand output, server.properties output, and MiniMessage output. Pick the format your server software expects, not the one that looks nicest in a guide.
Minecraft MOTD color codes
Minecraft's standard color codes use § followed by a number or letter.
| Code | Color |
|---|---|
§0 | Black |
§1 | Dark blue |
§2 | Dark green |
§3 | Dark aqua |
§4 | Dark red |
§5 | Dark purple |
§6 | Gold |
§7 | Gray |
§8 | Dark gray |
§9 | Blue |
§a | Green |
§b | Aqua |
§c | Red |
§d | Light purple |
§e | Yellow |
§f | White |
For most MOTDs, two or three colors are enough. Use one color for the server name, one neutral color for separators, and one highlight color for the version or event. If you want to test combinations before editing config files, use the Minecraft color code generator.
§aExampleSMP §7| §fSurvival
§e1.21+ §8- §bFresh worldMinecraft MOTD formatting codes
| Code | Formatting |
|---|---|
§l | Bold |
§o | Italic |
§n | Underline |
§m | Strikethrough |
§k | Obfuscated |
§r | Reset |
Use formatting carefully. Bold can help a server name stand out. Underline, italic, strikethrough, and obfuscated text are harder to read in a small server-list card.
§l§aExampleSMP§r §7| §fSurvival
§e1.21+ §8- §bNo griefingHow to make a two-line MOTD
A Minecraft server MOTD is usually shown as two short lines in the multiplayer list. In server.properties, use \n between the first and second line.
motd=§aExampleSMP §7| §fSurvival\n§e1.21+ §8- §bFresh worldLine 1 should usually contain the server name and main mode. Line 2 should usually contain the version, event, or rule. Avoid long centered text made from spaces because it can break in another client, launcher, or server-list site.
Good Minecraft MOTD examples
Use these examples as starting points. Replace the names, versions, and rules with your real server details.
Survival SMP MOTD
motd=§aOakvale SMP §7| §fSurvival\n§e1.21+ §8- §bFresh worldLifesteal MOTD
motd=§cRiftSteal §7| §fLifesteal SMP\n§eSeason 2 §8- §bDuos allowedSkyblock MOTD
motd=§bCloudRoot §7| §fSkyblock\n§eNew economy §8- §aDaily rewardsModded server MOTD
motd=§5CobbleQuest §7| §fCobblemon SMP\n§ePack required §8- §b1.21.1Bad MOTD examples and better versions
| Weak MOTD | Problem | Better direction |
|---|---|---|
Best server ever join now!!! | No mode, version, or reason to trust it | §aExampleSMP §7| §fSurvival\n§e1.21+ §8- §bFresh world |
§c§b§e§d§aWelcome to our amazing server with survival, shops, crates, quests, ranks, events, rewards | Too long and too many colors | §aExampleSMP §7| §fSurvival + Quests\n§e1.21+ §8- §bWeekend event |
§kMystery server§r | Obfuscated text hides the point | §5Mystery SMP §7| §fHard survival\n§e1.21 §8- §bNo map |
How to use MiniMessage in a Minecraft MOTD
MiniMessage is useful when your server software, proxy, or plugin supports it. It uses tags instead of legacy § codes. Paper's Adventure documentation describes MiniMessage as a tag-based format with named colors, hex colors, decorations, and gradients. (MiniMessage format documentation)
<green>ExampleSMP <gray>| <white>Survival
<yellow>1.21+ <dark_gray>- <aqua>Fresh worldDo not paste MiniMessage into a vanilla server.properties file unless your server setup says it supports MiniMessage there. Use the Minecraft MOTD generator to copy the matching format for your setup.
How to add the MOTD to server.properties
- Stop the server.
- Open
server.properties. - Find the
motd=line. - Replace the existing value with your new MOTD.
- Save the file.
- Start the server again.
- Refresh the server in Minecraft.
- Check the public result with the Minecraft server status checker.
If you are already changing public-server settings, use the server.properties generator to check common fields such as max-players, pvp, online-mode, white-list, and view-distance.
Why your Minecraft MOTD colors are not working
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
&a appears as text | You pasted ampersand codes into a field that does not convert them | Use section-sign or server.properties output |
§a appears as text | The field does not support legacy color codes | Use the software's supported format |
| Colors work in a plugin but not the server list | The plugin may format chat, not the public MOTD | Edit the server-list MOTD field instead |
| Hex color does not work | Your server software or version does not support it there | Use standard color codes |
| MOTD looks different through a proxy | The proxy may override the backend MOTD | Edit the proxy MOTD config |
Make the MOTD match the icon
Players see the MOTD beside the server icon, version, and player count. Treat those pieces as one card. Use the Minecraft server icon maker if your icon is blurry, stretched, or too detailed.
| Element | What to check |
|---|---|
| Icon | Simple enough to read at 64x64 |
| Line 1 | Server name and main mode |
| Line 2 | Version, event, rule, or season |
| Version label | Matches what players can actually use |
| Player count | Public status response works |
| Uptime | Server stays reachable after listing |
MOTD tips by server type
- Survival SMP servers should lead with trust: mode, version, and any important rule such as claims, whitelist, or fresh world.
- Skyblock servers should mention resets, economy, quests, or island protection.
- Factions and PvP servers should mention raids, teams, seasons, or kit style.
- Modded servers should mention the pack, version, or launcher requirement.
- Minigame networks should name the main game modes instead of only saying
Minigames. - Whitelisted servers should say they are whitelisted before players try to join.
Check the MOTD before you promote the server
Before you post the IP in Discord, Reddit, YouTube, or a server list, check the public server-list response.
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Online state | The server responds publicly |
| MOTD | Players see the right text |
| Version | Players know which client to use |
| Players | The server-list card is not broken |
| Icon | The card looks finished |
| Latency | The server is reachable from outside your network |
After the MOTD, icon, and status look correct, you can add your Minecraft server to ServerBuddy. Once the server responds to a live ping, ServerBuddy can create a public profile with live player count, MOTD, version, uptime, and activity history.
Quick MOTD checklist
- The MOTD fits in two short lines.
- Line 1 says the server name and main mode.
- Line 2 says the version, event, rule, or season.
- Color is used for structure, not noise.
- The format matches the field you are editing.
\nseparates the two lines inserver.properties.- Ampersand codes are only used where the plugin or panel converts them.
- MiniMessage is only used where the software supports it.
- The icon is readable beside the MOTD.
- The public status check shows the correct MOTD.
FAQ
What does MOTD mean in Minecraft?
MOTD means message of the day. For a Minecraft server, it is the short message shown in the multiplayer server list before a player joins.
What should I put in a Minecraft MOTD?
Put the server name, main game mode, supported version, and one useful detail such as fresh world, no griefing, season 2, whitelist, or pack required.
How do I make a two-line Minecraft MOTD?
Use \n between the two lines in server.properties, then test the result in Minecraft or with a public status checker.
Should I use section-sign codes or ampersand codes?
Use the format your server software expects. Vanilla-style config usually uses section-sign codes. Many plugins and host panels accept ampersand codes and convert them later.
Why are my MOTD colors showing as text?
The field probably does not support the format you pasted. Copy the correct section-sign, ampersand, server.properties, or MiniMessage output from a MOTD generator.
How do I check if my MOTD works publicly?
Run the address through a Minecraft server status checker and confirm the server is online and the MOTD, version, players, and icon look correct.