Minecraft Server Player Count

How the Minecraft player count works

When you add a server to your multiplayer list, Minecraft pings it and the server answers with its player count, max slots, version, MOTD and icon. This page sends that same ping from our server every 5 seconds and shows you the answer. If a server doesn't answer us, we ask the mcstatus.io, mcsrvstat.us and minetools status services instead. Their numbers can be a few minutes old, so the page then checks every 30 seconds. You don't need to own the server and nothing gets installed on it.

How accurate is it?

You see exactly what the server reports, so it matches the number players see in their server list. Big networks like Hypixel report the total across all their lobbies and games. Our biggest Minecraft servers list ranks them by that live count, and our check of 76 big servers shows which proxy, Velocity or BungeeCord, sits in front of those lobbies. Some servers bend the numbers on purpose: 2b2t shows 1 max slot, others show 0 or a huge fake maximum, and a few hide the count completely. Those are server settings, not errors on our side.

Java or Bedrock

Java servers listen on port 25565 by default, Bedrock servers on 19132. Plenty of big networks run both and the two counts are usually different, so switch the edition to check each one. If a server uses another port, add it to the address, like play.example.com:25566. Java addresses are looked up the same way the game does it, SRV records included.

Show your player count on stream

Copy the OBS URL under Share and embed and add it as a Browser source (380 by 120 fits well). Pick one of the transparent styles if it sits on top of gameplay. There's also iframe code if you want the live count on your server's website or vote page.

FAQ

Why does it say the server is offline?

Either the server is down, the address has a typo, or the server blocks status pings. Also check the edition: a Bedrock server checked as Java (or the other way round) looks offline.

How often does the player count update?

Every 5 seconds. Servers put out a new count every couple of seconds, and our server keeps each ping result for 4 seconds, so everyone watching the same server shares one ping instead of flooding it. A server that only answers through a status service is checked every 30 seconds, because those numbers are already 1 to 5 minutes old.

Can I see which players are online?

No. Most servers only send a few sample names or none at all, so we show the count and leave the names out.

Does it work for my own small server?

Yes, as long as it can be reached from the internet. A server on your home network only works if the port is forwarded, and localhost addresses won't work at all.

Is the embed free to use?

Yes, on websites and on stream. A link back to this page is appreciated but not required.