How do I add color to my Minecraft server MOTD?

Use § (section sign) colour codes, for example §a for green or §l for bold. In server.properties they are written as \u00a7 escapes. This generator builds the correct line for you, including hex gradients.

Do hex colors and gradients work in the server list?

Yes on Minecraft 1.16 and newer clients. Older clients show the closest of the 16 basic colours.

How long can an MOTD be?

Two lines. Each line shows roughly 45 characters (about 245 pixels) before it is cut off in the multiplayer list. The generator shows the pixel width of each line.

Why does my MOTD show weird characters?

Usually the § symbol isn't escaped. In server.properties write it as \u00a7 (the generator does this), and save the file as UTF-8. Plugins like MiniMOTD use MiniMessage or & codes instead.

How do I center the text?

Tick Centre on a line and the generator pads it with spaces based on Minecraft's character widths. It's an approximation, so nudge it if you need it exact.

Minecraft MOTD Generator — Colours, Gradients & Formatting

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My Awesome Server

Survival • Events • Friendly

12/100

Approximate. Hex colours need a 1.16+ client; older clients show the nearest colour. 293 characters in § form.

server.properties

motd=                \u00a7a\u00a7lM\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a76\u00a71\u00a7ly \u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a76\u00a7d\u00a7lA\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a77\u00a79\u00a7lw\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a78\u00a76\u00a7le\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a79\u00a72\u00a7ls\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a79\u00a7e\u00a7lo\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7a\u00a7a\u00a7lm\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7b\u00a76\u00a7le \u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7c\u00a72\u00a7lS\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7c\u00a7e\u00a7le\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7d\u00a7b\u00a7lr\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7e\u00a77\u00a7lv\u00a7x\u00a75\u00a75\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a7f\u00a73\u00a7le\u00a7b\u00a7lr\n             \u00a7eSurvival \u2022 Events \u2022 Friendly

Paste this line into server.properties, replacing the existing motd= line, then restart.

& codes (plugins, hex as &#rrggbb)

                &a&lM&#55ff61&ly &#55ff6d&lA&#55ff79&lw&#55ff86&le&#55ff92&ls&#55ff9e&lo&#55ffaa&lm&#55ffb6&le &#55ffc2&lS&#55ffce&le&#55ffdb&lr&#55ffe7&lv&#55fff3&le&b&lr
             &eSurvival • Events • Friendly

For plugins that read & colour codes. Check your plugin supports &#rrggbb hex.

MiniMessage (MiniMOTD, Velocity)

                <gradient:#55ff55:#55ffff><bold>My Awesome Server</gradient>
             <yellow>Survival • Events • Friendly

One line per MOTD line in your plugin's config.

Raw § codes

                §a§lM§x§5§5§f§f§6§1§ly §x§5§5§f§f§6§d§lA§x§5§5§f§f§7§9§lw§x§5§5§f§f§8§6§le§x§5§5§f§f§9§2§ls§x§5§5§f§f§9§e§lo§x§5§5§f§f§a§a§lm§x§5§5§f§f§b§6§le §x§5§5§f§f§c§2§lS§x§5§5§f§f§c§e§le§x§5§5§f§f§d§b§lr§x§5§5§f§f§e§7§lv§x§5§5§f§f§f§3§le§b§lr
             §eSurvival • Events • Friendly

For tools or commands that take § (section sign) codes directly.

MOTD Generator

How to use your MOTD

Frequently asked questions

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