How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

With us, you do not choose the amount of memory but the tier, based on the number of players. The RAM is matched to it. More memory does not make a server faster. It only prevents the server from running out of memory.

Tiers for Minecraft

Why the Java heap is smaller than the plan

A Minecraft server is a Java program, and Java never gets the entire memory of the tier. Below this, there are three limits that must match each other: the limit of the guest system, the limit of the service and the Java heap itself. The operating system, the Java runtime and memory management need their own share. You do not need to configure anything for this.

If these limits are set incorrectly, the server runs permanently at its limit without any error message indicating this.

Signs of insufficient memory

• The server regularly stutters for a moment, especially when someone explores new terrain.
• The lag gets worse the longer the server runs and is gone after a restart.
• The server crashes for no apparent reason and restarts.

Causes other than memory

Not every lag is a memory problem. A single extension that runs calculations on every tick, a very large number of mobs or a machine that runs continuously consume CPU time, not memory. More memory does not help with this. In that case, it is worth disabling extensions one at a time and watching when things improve.

Changing later

You can switch to the next higher tier at any time, and billing is accurate to the day. The world is kept.

See also: View Minecraft server Plugins or mods? Transferring your own world