How Much RAM do I Need for a Minecraft Server

Minecraft servers vary in their RAM requirements, depending on their specific purpose and setup. RAM, or random access memory, acts as the server's quick access memory, influencing its ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. If a Minecraft server doesn't have sufficient RAM, it can experience performance issues. Therefore, it's important to understand what influences RAM usage and determine the appropriate amount needed for optimal performance.

Vanilla, Bedrock, Spigot, Paper, etc.

Vanilla servers usually need less RAM compared to modded server types. However, several factors can influence the necessary amount. In simple terms, the more addons (data packs/plugins) and players a server accommodates, the greater the RAM requirement.

Bedrock servers typically need a similar amount of RAM to Vanilla servers. However, Bedrock servers might not need as much extra RAM when there are more players.

BungeeCord, Waterfall, and Other Proxies

Proxy servers don't load worlds, players, entities, or anything similar. Their role is to redirect players to a different connected server. Due to this, they don't need very much RAM to function properly. We suggest allocating 1GB of RAM for a basic proxy server. However, if you've added plugins on your proxy server, it might be worth adding more RAM.

Forge, Fabric, and Other Modded Servers

Running a modded version of Minecraft on your server like Forge or Fabric, will notably raise your average RAM usage, especially when using modpacks. Some other factors that affect RAM requirements for modded servers include the Minecraft version, the number of players online, and the progress within the server.

Please note that some modpacks may have official recommended RAM amounts posted on their official pages, please make sure you check for these recommendations.