Selecting the right amount of RAM for your Minecraft server is crucial. Too little memory can lead to lag, crashes and chunk loading delays, while allocating far more than you need wastes resources. This guide summarises typical memory requirements for different server types and explains how player counts and mods affect RAM usage.
Factors That Affect RAM Usage
Minecraft servers use RAM to store loaded chunks, active entities and plugin or mod data. The following factors influence how much memory you need:
- Minecraft version: newer versions generally require more memory than older ones due to additional features and changes in the game engine.
- Player count: more players means more chunks loaded concurrently, so each additional group of players increases RAM usage.
- Plugins and data packs: each plugin requires memory to store its data. Running more plugins increases the overall footprint.
- Modpacks: mods often add new mechanics, items and world generation that increase memory requirements. Modpacks are particularly resource intensive.
- World progress: older worlds with extensive exploration and builds occupy more RAM because more chunks need to stay loaded.
Recommended Memory for Vanilla and Plugin Servers
For servers running Vanilla or Paper/Spigot with a modest number of plugins, the following guidelines provide a starting point:
| Metric | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| Minecraft 1.16.5 and previous | 2 GB minimum |
| Minecraft 1.17 and newer | 3 GB minimum |
| Additional players | +1 GB for every 5 players |
| Additional plugins | +1 GB for every 10 plugins |
For example, a Paper server on Minecraft 1.20 hosting 10 players and 15 plugins would start with 3 GB, then add 2 GB for the players and 2 GB for the plugins for a total of 7 GB of RAM. These numbers are guidelines: you can fine‑tune them based on actual performance.
Recommended Memory for Proxy Servers
Proxy software like BungeeCord, Waterfall and Velocity simply forwards players to other servers and does not load world chunks. They therefore require much less memory:
| Number of proxy plugins | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| 0–5 proxy plugins | 1 GB |
| 6–15 proxy plugins | 2 GB |
| 16+ proxy plugins | 3 GB |
Recommended Memory for Modded Servers
Modded servers such as those using Forge or Fabric consume considerably more memory because mods introduce new blocks, items and world generation. Many modpacks also specify a recommended minimum memory amount. Use the following baseline values for modpacks and adjust based on the number of players:
| Metric | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| Minecraft 1.12.2 and earlier modpacks | 5 GB minimum |
| Minecraft 1.13–1.16.5 modpacks | 6 GB minimum |
| Minecraft 1.17 and newer modpacks | 8 GB minimum |
| Extra‑large modpacks (e.g. 200+ mods) | +1–2 GB |
| Additional players | +1 GB for every 3 players |
When running a large modpack for multiple players, it is not unusual to allocate 10–12 GB of memory. Monitor your memory usage and adjust accordingly.
Upgrading Your RAM on Wabbanode
Wabbanode allows you to customise the RAM allocation for your server at checkout and upgrade it later if needed. If you find your server running out of memory, you can upgrade your plan through the client area without losing your world or files. Keep an eye on your server console for memory warnings and use Spark to check RAM usage.
Choosing the correct amount of RAM ensures your Minecraft server runs smoothly for you and your friends. Use these guidelines as a starting point, monitor your server’s performance and adjust your RAM allocation as needed. For modded servers, always consult the modpack’s own recommendations.
