How to Change Your Minecraft Server Name (MOTD)
Learn how to change the MOTD (Message of the Day) displayed in the Minecraft server list. Includes color codes and formatting tips.
The server name — officially called the MOTD (Message of the Day) — is what players see when your server appears in their server list. It's the first impression players get of your server, so a good MOTD helps you stand out and tells players what to expect before they join.
Changing Your Server Name
Access the panel and stop your server
Go to the XGamingServer panel and stop your Minecraft server.
Open the file manager
Go to Files.
Edit the MOTD
Open server.properties and edit the motd= line to your desired server name.
Save and start
Click Save and start your server.
The MOTD supports up to two lines of text. Use \n to create a line break. For example:
motd=§bXGaming Survival§r\n§7Join us for a great time!This displays "XGaming Survival" in aqua on the first line and "Join us for a great time!" in grey on the second line.
Adding Color and Formatting
You can add color and formatting to your MOTD using the § symbol (section sign) followed by a code:
Color Codes
| Code | Color | Code | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
§0 | Black | §8 | Dark Gray |
§1 | Dark Blue | §9 | Blue |
§2 | Dark Green | §a | Green |
§3 | Dark Aqua | §b | Aqua |
§4 | Dark Red | §c | Red |
§5 | Dark Purple | §d | Light Purple |
§6 | Gold | §e | Yellow |
§7 | Gray | §f | White |
Formatting Codes
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
§l | Bold |
§o | Italic |
§n | Underline |
§m | |
§r | Reset formatting |
💡 Tip: Building MOTD strings by hand is tedious. Use an online tool like MOTD Creator to visually design your server name with colors and formatting, then copy the generated text into your
server.propertiesfile.
MOTD Best Practices
- Keep it short and descriptive — Players scan server lists quickly. "Survival SMP | 1.21 | Active Community" is better than a wall of text.
- Include your server version — Helps players know if they're on the right version before connecting.
- Mention your gamemode — Survival, Creative, Skyblock, Factions, etc.
- Update it regularly — Change your MOTD for events, seasons, or announcements to keep things fresh.
If you get stuck at any time, you can join our Discord.
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