Minecraft Java Server Requirements: Java, CPU, RAM and Storage

A Minecraft Java server requires a compatible Java runtime, enough memory for the complete process, CPU capacity for its tick workload, storage for the world and backups, and a reachable game port. The exact requirements depend on the Minecraft version, server software and extensions. Player count alone cannot produce a reliable hardware specification.

Which Java version does the server need?

Check the server project’s release instructions before selecting a runtime. The following is Paper’s published recommendation table, checked on September 25, 2026. It is not a statement that EnderHost offers every listed legacy version, or that every modpack supports the same runtime.

Paper recommended Java versions
Paper version	Recommended Java
1.7.10–1.11	8
1.12–1.16.4	11
1.16.5	16
1.17–1.19	17
1.20–1.21.11	21
26.1+	25

Fabric’s current Java guidance also identifies Java 25 for Minecraft 26.1. For a modpack, follow the pack’s release notes and supported loader/runtime combination. Older software may require older dependencies and needs a separate maintenance decision.

java -version

Run this in the environment that actually starts the server. A panel may use a different container runtime from the VPS shell. Likewise, the Java bundled with a desktop Minecraft launcher does not establish which Java a standalone server command uses. Check the startup log as well as the selected runtime.

How much CPU, RAM and disk should you plan?

Capacity worksheet
Resource	Plan around	Evidence to collect
CPU	Tick work, exploration, entities and extension behavior	Busy-period MSPT and a profile of slow ticks
Memory	Heap plus native overhead and any colocated services	Startup peak, sustained heap and total process/container usage
Storage	Existing worlds, future growth, extensions and logs	Current usage and growth across representative sessions
Recovery space	Retained backups, temporary archive and restore workspace	A complete backup size and a trial restore into a separate directory
Network	Player routes, downloads and permitted game traffic	Connection tests from players in the expected regions

For memory, use the Minecraft RAM sizing guide to distinguish heap from the hosting limit. For CPU, the TPS/MSPT guide explains why spare aggregate CPU does not rule out a busy tick thread. Neither table substitutes for a representative load test.

Include space to recover, not just space to run

Suppose your files occupy 12 GiB. One additional full copy already takes the uncompressed total to 24 GiB; restoring another copy could take it to 36 GiB before growth, logs or archive overhead. This is an arithmetic example, not a minimum plan size. Compression varies, and remote backups still need room for local staging if your workflow uses it.

Track growth after exploration and scheduled tasks. Set a free-space alert that leaves enough time to act. A full filesystem can interrupt saves even when CPU and RAM appear healthy. Keep at least one recoverable copy outside the server’s own failure boundary.

Which ports and access are required?

Java servers commonly use TCP 25565, but a hosting panel can assign a different port. Use the actual allocation in the configuration, firewall and connection instructions. Optional query, remote-console, proxy or cross-edition services have separate settings; do not open them just because a generic tutorial lists them.

A prelaunch check you can repeat

Record Minecraft version, server build, Java runtime, extensions and configured memory limit.
Start privately and inspect the full startup log. Confirm that the intended world and extensions loaded.
Join using the supported client configuration and test the expected activities, including exploration or additional dimensions.
Capture peak memory, disk growth and tick behavior; investigate the resource that actually limits the workload.
Create a backup and restore it into a separate test location before opening to the community.

Use those results to compare Minecraft hosting plans. If you need operating-system control or several independent services, compare the responsibilities in VPS versus game server hosting before choosing a larger machine.