# Change Your Minecraft Server Name & MOTD (/docs/minecraft/server-name-motd)



Java Edition servers use the **MOTD** (Message of the Day) as the server description shown in the multiplayer browser.

Changing the MOTD [#changing-the-motd]

In `server.properties`:

```
motd=Welcome to my server!
```

Supports color codes using `\u00A7` or `§`:

```
motd=\u00A7aWelcome \u00A7bto my \u00A7cserver!
```

Color Codes [#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:** `§l` Bold, `§o` Italic, `§n` Underline, `§m` Strikethrough, `§r` Reset

MOTD Generators [#motd-generators]

Use an online MOTD generator for easier formatting — search "Minecraft MOTD generator" and paste the result into `server.properties`.

> 📝 **Note:** The MOTD is limited to 2 lines. Use `\n` for a line break.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/minecraft/server-properties)
* [Server Icon](/docs/minecraft/add-server-icon)