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Minecraft MOTD Creator

Create colorful server messages with our visual editor

Free Tool All 16 Colors 6 Formats
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MOTD Creator Tool

Use the editor below to design your Minecraft server MOTD. Click a color or formatting code to insert it at the cursor position. The live preview updates instantly so you can see exactly how your message will look in the server list.

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All Minecraft Color Codes

Minecraft supports 16 built-in color codes using the section sign (§) followed by a character (0-9, a-f). These codes work in MOTDs, chat, signs, books, and more.

SwatchCodeNameHexPreview
§0Black#000000Sample Text
§1Dark Blue#0000AASample Text
§2Dark Green#00AA00Sample Text
§3Dark Aqua#00AAAASample Text
§4Dark Red#AA0000Sample Text
§5Dark Purple#AA00AASample Text
§6Gold#FFAA00Sample Text
§7Gray#AAAAAASample Text
§8Dark Gray#555555Sample Text
§9Blue#5555FFSample Text
§aGreen#55FF55Sample Text
§bAqua#55FFFFSample Text
§cRed#FF5555Sample Text
§dLight Purple#FF55FFSample Text
§eYellow#FFFF55Sample Text
§fWhite#FFFFFFSample Text

Color Code Order Matters

When combining color and formatting codes, always place the color code first, then the formatting code. For example, §6§l gives you bold gold text. Applying a color code after formatting will reset all active formatting.

Formatting Codes Reference

In addition to colors, Minecraft supports 6 formatting codes that modify how text is displayed. These can be combined with color codes for maximum visual impact.

§l

Bold

Bold Text

Makes text appear thicker and more prominent. Commonly used for server names and important words.

§o

Italic

Italic Text

Slants text to the right. Useful for subtle emphasis, descriptions, and flavor text.

§n

Underline

Underlined Text

Adds a line beneath the text. Good for highlighting links or important details.

§m

Strikethrough

Strikethrough

Draws a line through the text. Used for showing old prices, removed features, or humor.

§k

Obfuscated

????????

Rapidly scrambles characters, creating a glitchy visual effect. Use sparingly for decorative purposes.

§r

Reset

Reset Text

Clears all color and formatting codes, reverting text to the default gray color.

Pro Tip: The Reset Code

Use §r whenever you want to stop all active colors and formatting and return to the default style. This is essential when you only want part of your MOTD to be colored or formatted.

Pre-made MOTD Templates

Get started quickly with these professionally designed MOTD templates. Each template is crafted to attract players and clearly communicate your server's identity. Click any template in the tool above to load it instantly.

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Classic Welcome

A timeless golden welcome message with a subtle call to action.

§6§l★ §e§lMy Server §6§l★
§7A Survival Adventure §8- §aJoin Now!
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PvP Arena

Aggressive red tones to attract competitive PvP players.

§c§l⚔ §4§lPVP ARENA §c§l⚔
§7Kit PvP §8| §7Factions §8| §7Duels
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SMP Server

Clean aqua theme with a friendly vibe for community servers.

§b§l✦ §f§lCozy SMP §b§l✦
§7Vanilla §8• §7Community §8• §a1.21+
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Skyblock Paradise

Green sky theme perfect for island-based gamemodes.

§a§l☁ §2§lSkyBlock Paradise §a§l☁
§7Custom Islands §8| §eNew Season!
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Network Hub

Purple network branding that showcases multiple gamemodes.

§d§l» §5§lMega Network §d§l«
§f§lSurvival §8| §f§lSkyblock §8| §f§lBedWars
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Seasonal Event

Themed event MOTD to drive urgency and engagement.

§c§l❤ §f§lValentine Event §c§l❤
§d2x Hearts §8| §dSpecial Loot §8| §fLimited

Tips & Best Practices

MOTD Design Tips

1

Find server.properties

Your server.properties file is in the root of your server directory. Edit the motd= line to set your MOTD. Use \u00a7 for the section sign in this file.

2

Use High-Contrast Colors

The Minecraft server list has a dark background. Avoid §0 (black) and §8 (dark gray) for primary text. Bright colors like §e (yellow) and §a (green) stand out best.

3

Keep It Short

You have about 45 visible characters per line. Focus on your server name, gamemode, and a short hook. Long MOTDs get cut off in the server list.

4

Use Unicode Symbols

Add visual flair with symbols like ★ (star), ❤ (heart), ⚔ (swords), and »« (arrows). These work in MOTDs and make your server stand out.

Advanced Optimization

Seasonal MOTD Updates

Change your MOTD regularly to reflect events, updates, or seasons. Players notice fresh MOTDs and are more likely to rejoin when they see something new.

Use Pipe Separators

Organize gamemodes with pipe separators (§8|) for clean readability. Example: §fSurvival §8| §fSkyblock §8| §fPvP looks professional and scannable.

Test on Multiple Clients

MOTD rendering can vary slightly between Java, Bedrock, and third-party launchers. Test your MOTD on multiple clients to ensure consistency.

Consider MiniMessage

If your server runs Paper or Velocity, use MiniMessage format instead of legacy § codes. It supports gradients, hex colors, and hover events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Minecraft MOTD?
MOTD stands for Message of the Day. It is the text that appears below your server name in the Minecraft server list. It supports color codes and formatting to create eye-catching messages that attract players.
What is the character limit for a Minecraft MOTD?
A Minecraft MOTD supports two lines, each with approximately 45 visible characters. Color and formatting codes (§X) do not count toward the visible character limit, but they do take up space in the raw string. Keep your actual displayed text concise.
How do I set my server's MOTD?
Open your server.properties file and find the motd= line. Replace the existing text with your MOTD. Use \u00a7 for the section sign (§) in the properties file. For multi-line MOTDs, use \n to separate lines. Restart your server for changes to take effect.
Why are my MOTD colors not showing?
Common causes include: 1) Using the wrong symbol — you need the section sign (§), not an ampersand (&). 2) Your server software may require a plugin like EssentialsX for & color codes. 3) In server.properties, use \u00a7 instead of the raw § symbol. 4) Check that color codes come before formatting codes.
How do I center my MOTD text?
Minecraft MOTDs are automatically centered in the server list. However, the two lines are independent, so each line is centered on its own. To achieve visual alignment, keep both lines a similar length or add spaces manually. There is no built-in centering command.
Can I have more than 2 lines in my MOTD?
No, Minecraft only supports exactly 2 lines in the server list MOTD. This is a limitation of the Minecraft protocol. Some server software supports multi-line descriptions on the server page itself, but the multiplayer list always shows exactly two lines.
What is the difference between color codes and formatting codes?
Color codes (§0–§f) change the color of subsequent text. Formatting codes (§l, §o, §n, §m, §k) add styling like bold, italic, or underline. Important: applying a color code resets all active formatting, so always place formatting codes after color codes (e.g., §6§l for bold gold).
What is MiniMessage format and should I use it?
MiniMessage is a modern text formatting system used by plugins like Paper, Velocity, and Adventure. Instead of § codes, it uses XML-like tags such as <green><bold>Hello</bold></green>. Use MiniMessage if your server software supports it — it is more readable, supports gradients and hex colors, and is the recommended format for modern servers.

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About Minecraft MOTDs & Color Codes

A Minecraft MOTD (Message of the Day) is the first thing players see when your server appears in their multiplayer list. A well-designed MOTD with eye-catching colors and clear messaging can significantly increase your server's player count by making a strong first impression.

Minecraft color codes use the section sign (§) followed by a hexadecimal character (0-9, a-f) to apply one of 16 predefined colors. Additional formatting codes (§l for bold, §o for italic, §n for underline, §m for strikethrough, §k for obfuscated) let you add emphasis and visual variety. The reset code (§r) clears all active formatting.

Our free MOTD creator tool supports all 2026 Minecraft server formats including raw § codes, JSON text components for modern servers, MiniMessage format for Paper and Velocity, and the escaped format needed for server.properties files. Design your MOTD visually and export it in any format you need.

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