Minecraft MOTD Generator — Colored Server List Text
Build a colored Message of the Day with a live multiplayer server-list preview. Export § codes, plugin & codes, or a ready-to-paste motd= line with \u00A7 escapes.
What is a Minecraft MOTD?
A Minecraft MOTD (Message of the Day) is the short text under your server's name in the Java multiplayer server list. It's often the first thing a player reads before joining — so clear colors, gamemode, and version matter more than long marketing copy.
You set it in server.properties on the motd= line. Minecraft supports up to two lines (use \n between them) and about 59 visible characters per line. Formatting codes do not count toward that limit.
How to use this MOTD generator
- Type up to two lines (or pick a template).
- Click color and style buttons to insert Minecraft formatting codes.
- Check the live server-list preview.
- Copy server.properties for vanilla/Paper, & format for most plugins, or § format for legacy pastes.
- Replace your existing
motd=line and restart.
Why \u00A7 matters in server.properties
Many hosts and text editors mangle the section sign (§). Java properties files expect the Unicode escape \u00A7 instead. Example:
motd=\u00A76Survival SMP\n\u00A7e1.21+ · No pay-to-win
If your MOTD shows as weird boxes or plain text with no color, you almost always need the escaped form — use the green server.properties copy button above.
Minecraft MOTD color codes
| Color | Code | server.properties | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | §0 | \u00A70 | #000000 |
| Dark Blue | §1 | \u00A71 | #0000AA |
| Dark Green | §2 | \u00A72 | #00AA00 |
| Dark Aqua | §3 | \u00A73 | #00AAAA |
| Dark Red | §4 | \u00A74 | #AA0000 |
| Dark Purple | §5 | \u00A75 | #AA00AA |
| Gold | §6 | \u00A76 | #FFAA00 |
| Gray | §7 | \u00A77 | #AAAAAA |
| Dark Gray | §8 | \u00A78 | #555555 |
| Blue | §9 | \u00A79 | #5555FF |
| Green | §a | \u00A7a | #55FF55 |
| Aqua | §b | \u00A7b | #55FFFF |
| Red | §c | \u00A7c | #FF5555 |
| Light Purple | §d | \u00A7d | #FF55FF |
| Yellow | §e | \u00A7e | #FFFF55 |
| White | §f | \u00A7f | #FFFFFF |
Formatting codes
§lBold§oItalic§nUnderline§mStrikethrough§kObfuscated (magic)§rReset
Tips for a server list that converts
- Lead with gamemode + version (e.g. Survival · 1.21+).
- Use one accent color for the server name and quieter colors for details.
- Skip walls of symbols — they burn the 59-character budget fast.
- Update the second line for events, seasons, or wipe dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Minecraft MOTD?
MOTD means Message of the Day — the two-line description under your server name in the Minecraft multiplayer server list. Server owners use it to show gamemode, version, and events.
Why don’t my MOTD colors show in-game?
server.properties is a Java properties file. Pasting a raw § character often fails. Use Unicode escapes like \u00A7c for red. This generator’s “server.properties” copy button outputs the escaped motd= line for you.
What is the difference between § and &?
Vanilla Minecraft and server.properties use the section sign (§). Most plugins (EssentialsX, MiniMOTD, ServerListPlus) use an ampersand (&) instead. Copy the format your config expects.
Is there a character limit for MOTDs?
Yes. A MOTD has up to 2 lines, and each line is limited to about 59 visible characters. Color and formatting codes do not count toward that limit.
How do I add an MOTD to my Minecraft server?
Copy the motd= line from this tool, open server.properties, replace the existing motd= value, save, and restart the server.
Does this work with Paper, Spigot, and Bedrock?
Java servers (Vanilla, Paper, Spigot, Purpur, etc.) use the same § / \u00A7 MOTD in server.properties. Bedrock and some proxies may use different formats; plugin MOTDs often prefer & codes.