# How to Change Max Players on Your Counter-Strike: Source Server (/docs/counter-strike-source/player-slots)



import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

The default CS:Source player limit is **16**. Source-engine servers support up to **64 players**, though high counts require map support (enough spawn points) and decent CPU.

<Tabs items={['Via Startup (Recommended)', 'Via Launch Parameter']}>
  <Tab value="Via Startup (Recommended)">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Startup [#open-startup]

        In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), click **Startup** in the sidebar.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Set Max Players [#set-max-players]

        Find the **Max Players** field and enter your desired count (1–64).
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Restart [#restart]

        Restart from **Console** to apply.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Via Launch Parameter">
    Add to the startup command line:

    ```
    -maxplayers 32
    ```

    This overrides the panel field. Restart the server to apply.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Recommended Counts by Server Type [#recommended-counts-by-server-type]

| Server Type     | Recommended |
| --------------- | ----------- |
| Competitive 5v5 | 10–12       |
| Casual / public | 16–24       |
| Surf            | 32–64       |
| Bhop            | 32–64       |
| Zombie Mod      | 24–32       |
| Deathmatch      | 16–32       |

> **Note:** The actual player count is also limited by **map spawn points**. A map with 5 T + 5 CT spawns is capped at 10 players regardless of `maxplayers`.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/counter-strike-source/server-config)
* [Connect to Your Server](/docs/counter-strike-source/join-server)