Minecraft MOTD generator
Write a two-line MOTD, colour and format it, preview it in a server list and copy it in the format your server needs.
MOTD editor
Approximation. The in-game server list may render colours and spacing slightly differently.
Codes are inserted at the cursor. A colour code clears bold, italic and the other formats, so re-apply them after changing colour.
Output
§a§lWelcome to §fMy Server
§7Survival · 1.21 · §aOnline
&a&lWelcome to &fMy Server
&7Survival · 1.21 · &aOnline
\u00A7a\u00A7lWelcome to \u00A7fMy Server\n\u00A77Survival · 1.21 · \u00A7aOnline
[{"text":"Welcome to ","color":"#55FF55","bold":true},{"text":"My Server","color":"#FFFFFF"},{"text":"\n"},{"text":"Survival · 1.21 · ","color":"#AAAAAA"},{"text":"Online","color":"#55FF55"}]
Use it to
- Paste § codes into a server-list plugin or panel
- Use the server.properties value on a vanilla server
- Check colours before you restart the server
Minecraft colour and formatting codes
A section sign (§) followed by a code sets the colour or format for the text that follows. These hex values are the Java Edition colours.
Colour code table
| Code | Colour | Name | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| §0 | Black | #000000 | |
| §1 | Dark Blue | #0000AA | |
| §2 | Dark Green | #00AA00 | |
| §3 | Dark Aqua | #00AAAA | |
| §4 | Dark Red | #AA0000 | |
| §5 | Dark Purple | #AA00AA | |
| §6 | Gold | #FFAA00 | |
| §7 | Gray | #AAAAAA | |
| §8 | Dark Gray | #555555 | |
| §9 | Blue | #5555FF | |
| §a | Green | #55FF55 | |
| §b | Aqua | #55FFFF | |
| §c | Red | #FF5555 | |
| §d | Light Purple | #FF55FF | |
| §e | Yellow | #FFFF55 | |
| §f | White | #FFFFFF |
Formatting code table
| Code | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| §k | Obfuscated | Replaces letters with random characters of the same width |
| §l | Bold | Applies from this point in the line |
| §m | Strikethrough | Java Edition only |
| §n | Underline | Java Edition only |
| §o | Italic | Applies from this point in the line |
| §r | Reset | Clears colour and all formatting |
How to set the MOTD in server.properties
- Open
server.propertiesin your server folder and find themotdline. - Set the value with
\u00A7colour codes and\nbetween the two lines. - Save the file as UTF-8, then restart the server for the change to take effect.
motd=\u00A7a\u00A7lWelcome to \u00A7fMy Server\n\u00A77Survival \u00B7 1.21
server.properties is read at startup, so a restart is needed. A MOTD over 59 characters can also cause the server list to report a communication error.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Minecraft MOTD?
The message shown under your server's name in the multiplayer server list. It supports two lines and legacy colour and formatting codes.
How do I add a second line to my MOTD?
In server.properties the two lines are separated with \n. Many server-list plugins also accept a newline in their MOTD setting.
Should I use the § or & code?
The game itself uses the section sign (§). Many plugins and panels accept & and convert it, so this tool can output either. For server.properties, use the escaped \u00A7 form.
Why does my MOTD show as plain text or a communication error?
If the MOTD is over 59 characters the server list can report a communication error. Also check that you saved server.properties as UTF-8 and used the escape form your server software expects.