Minecraft Server MOTD Color Codes Guide: Formatting & Online Status Checker
The Ultimate Guide to Minecraft MOTD
If you run a Minecraft server, you know that the first impression is everything. Before a player even joins your world, they see one thing in their multiplayer server list: your MOTD (Message of the Day).
A boring, default MOTD says "A Minecraft Server." A great MOTD tells players exactly what your server is about, draws them in with colors, and shows that you care about quality.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about setting up and customizing your Minecraft MOTD.
What is MOTD?
MOTD stands for Message of the Day. It is the text displayed below your server name in the Minecraft multiplayer server list. It supports two lines of text and can be customized with colors and formatting styles like bold, italic, and even "magic" obfuscated text.
How to Change Your MOTD
The MOTD is configured in your server's server.properties file.
- Stop your Minecraft server.
- Open the
server.propertiesfile in a text editor. - Find the line starting with
motd=. - Edit the text after the equals sign.
- Save the file and start your server.
Basic Formatting Codes
Minecraft uses the section sign § (or \u00A7 in unicode) followed by a character to define colors and styles. However, in server.properties, you often need to use the unicode escape sequence \u00A7 instead of the symbol directly.
Common Color Codes:
\u00A74= Red\u00A7c= Light Red\u00A76= Gold\u00A7e= Yellow\u00A72= Dark Green\u00A7a= Green\u00A7b= Aqua\u00A73= Dark Aqua\u00A71= Dark Blue\u00A79= Blue\u00A7d= Light Purple\u00A75= Dark Purple\u00A7f= White\u00A77= Gray\u00A70= Black
Style Codes:
\u00A7l= Bold\u00A7m=Strikethrough\u00A7n= Underline\u00A7o= Italic\u00A7k= Obfuscated (Magic)\u00A7r= Reset
Example:
To make an MOTD that says "Welcome to My Server", you would write:
motd=\u00A7lWelcome\u00A7r to \u00A7oMy Server
Advanced MOTD (RGB and Gradients)
Modern Minecraft versions (1.16+) support full RGB colors using Hex codes. This allows for beautiful gradients and custom colors that match your server's branding.
However, the legacy server.properties format doesn't natively support RGB easily. Most modern servers use plugins (like MiniMOTD or ServerListPlus) or proxies (like Velocity or BungeeCord) to handle advanced MOTD formatting.
If you are using a plugin, they often use the MiniMessage format (like <red>My Server</red>) or the ampersand format (&cMy Server).
Easy Mode: Use Our MOTD Generator
Remembering all those codes like \u00A7e or &l can be a headache. And typing them out manually in a text file often leads to mistakes.
Why not generate it visually?
Try our Free Minecraft MOTD Generator
Our tool makes creating a professional MOTD effortless:
- Visual Editor: Type your text and click buttons to add colors and styles. No need to memorize codes.
- Live Preview: See exactly how your MOTD will look in the Minecraft server list before you even save it.
- One-Click Copy: Get the exact
motd=line ready to paste into yourserver.properties. It handles all the complex unicode escaping for you.
How to Test Your MOTD
After you've set up your fancy new MOTD using our generator and restarted your server, you'll want to make sure it functions correctly for players relying on external connections.
The best way to verify your MOTD is to use an external checker.
Use Our Free Minecraft Status Tool
We have built a powerful Minecraft Server Status Checker right here!
With our tool, you can:
- Preview your MOTD: See exactly how your colors and formatting codes render in HTML.
- Check Availability: Confirm your server is reachable from the internet.
- View Online Players: See who is currently playing and getting their player heads.
- Get Embed Code: Generate a status banner to put on your own website.
Try the Minecraft MOTD Checker Now
Simply enter your server IP (e.g., play.myserver.com) and click "Check". It's the fastest way to debug your server configuration and ensure your MOTD is welcoming new players perfectly.