MOTD Generator

Design the two-line message players see next to your server in the multiplayer list, with colors and formatting — then copy it straight into server.properties.

Import from a live server

Pulls the current MOTD, player count and icon from any online Java server.

Server type

server.properties — the 16 named colors only.

Colors

Select some text in the highlighted line, then pick a color or style — it applies to your selection. With nothing selected it applies to the whole line.

Styles
Lines

The server list shows two lines. Keeping each under about 45 visible characters is a safe target — a very long line can make the list render an error instead of your message.

20/45
23/45

Preview

A Minecraft Server
My Server - Season 2
Now with custom builds!
Line 120/45
Line 223/45
Lines used2 of 2

How to use the MOTD Generator

Design the two-line MOTD players see beside your server in the multiplayer list, with colors and formatting, then copy it straight into server.properties.

Quick steps

  1. 1Type your two lines of text
  2. 2Add colors and formatting with the swatches or & codes
  3. 3Check the live preview of the server-list row
  4. 4Copy the server.properties line and paste it in
  5. 5Or grab an existing server's MOTD by address, and make a server-icon.png in the Image tab

Example use cases

  • A branded tagline for your server list entry
  • Announcing a season, event or new feature
  • A tidy, readable two-line description with color

Tips

Keep each line under about 45 characters so nothing gets cut off
The server.properties output uses §-escapes so it survives being saved to the file
Use &r to reset formatting partway through a line

Frequently asked questions

What is a Minecraft server MOTD?

The MOTD (message of the day) is the short description shown next to your server in the multiplayer server list. It can be two lines and supports colors and formatting. It is set by the motd= line in server.properties.

How do I add colors to my MOTD?

Use the color and format buttons, or type & codes such as &6 for gold or &l for bold. This generator converts them into the § escape codes that server.properties needs, so they display correctly in the server list.

How do I put my MOTD on two lines?

Type your second line in the Line 2 box. In server.properties a line break is written as \n, which this generator adds for you — just paste the whole motd= line it produces.

Why do the color codes look like \u00A7 in the output?

server.properties files are read with Java escaping, so a section sign is written as \u00A7 to survive being saved. Minecraft turns it back into a color code when it loads the file. Paste the line exactly as shown.

How long can a MOTD be?

There is no exact character limit because the server list uses a variable-width font, but a very long MOTD (roughly 59 characters or more on a line) can make the server list show a communication error instead of your message. The generator warns at about 45 characters per line as a safe target so this never happens.

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