server.properties explained: every Minecraft setting

Updated 1 November 2026

Almost everything about your Minecraft server is set in one file: server.properties. Here's what the most important settings do and which values work well.

How to edit server.properties

Open your server in SparkPanel and go to Files.
Open server.properties, change the value after the = and click Save.
Restart the server. Changes only work after a restart.

Type values without spaces and exactly as below, for example difficulty=peaceful. The server ignores typos and then uses the default value.

The most important settings

Setting	Default	What it does
`motd`	`A Minecraft Server`	The text under your server name in the server list. Colours with `\u00A7` plus a code, for example `\u00A7a` for green.
`max-players`	`20`	How many players can join at once. More players need more memory; don't set it higher than your plan can handle.
`white-list`	`false`	With `true`, only whitelisted players can join. Add players with `whitelist add Name` in the console.
`enforce-whitelist`	`false`	With `true`, players who are not (or no longer) on the whitelist are kicked right away.
`online-mode`	`true`	Checks that players own a real Minecraft account. Keep it `true`: with `false` anyone can log in with any name, including yours.
`gamemode`	`survival`	The game mode for new players: `survival`, `creative`, `adventure` or `spectator`.
`difficulty`	`easy`	`peaceful` (no monsters), `easy`, `normal` or `hard`.
`hardcore`	`false`	With `true` you become a spectator after dying. Best set before the world is created.
`pvp`	`true`	Whether players can attack each other. Since Minecraft 1.21.9 this line is gone: type `gamerule pvp false` in the console instead.
`spawn-protection`	`16`	Around spawn only operators can build or break, within this many blocks. `0` turns it off.
`view-distance`	`10`	How many chunks are loaded around each player. Lower means less lag; `6` to `8` suits smaller plans well.
`simulation-distance`	`10`	Up to how many chunks animals, crops and redstone keep working. Lowering it helps a lot against lag.
`level-name`	`world`	The name of the world folder. Change it and the server creates a new world (the old one stays).
`level-seed`	`(empty)`	The seed for a new world. Leave it empty for a random one. Only used when a world is created.
`allow-flight`	`false`	With `false`, players flying without permission are kicked. Set `true` for mods or plugins with flying, otherwise players get kicked by mistake.
`enable-command-block`	`false`	Turns on command blocks, needed for many minigames and maps.
`server-port`	`25565`	Leave this alone at ServerSpark: the port is already set correctly; you'll find it in SparkPanel under Network.

Useful combinations

Only your group of friends: white-list=true and enforce-whitelist=true, then add everyone with whitelist add Name.
Building without hassle: gamemode=creative, difficulty=peaceful, plus gamerule pvp false in the console.
Less lag: view-distance=8 and simulation-distance=6. More tips in Fix Minecraft server lag.

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