Minecraft Server Icon Guide: Size, Format, and Setup (2026)

Your server icon is the first thing players see in the multiplayer menu. A custom icon makes your server look professional and recognizable. Here is how to set one up.
Requirements
| Property | Requirement | |----------|------------| | File name | server-icon.png | | Format | PNG only | | Size | 64x64 pixels exactly | | Location | Server root directory |
The file must be named exactly server-icon.png and placed in the same folder as server.jar.
How to Create a Server Icon
Step 1: Design or Find an Image
- Design a logo in any image editor
- Use a pixel art tool for a Minecraft-themed look
- Keep it simple because 64x64 is tiny
- High contrast colors work best at small sizes
Step 2: Resize to 64x64
In any image editor:
- Set canvas size to 64x64 pixels
- Export as PNG (not JPG, not GIF)
Free tools:
- Paint.net (Windows)
- GIMP (all platforms)
- Pixlr (browser-based)
- Canva (resize after designing)
Step 3: Upload to Server
- Name the file
server-icon.png - Upload to the server root directory (next to server.jar)
- Restart the server
Troubleshooting
Icon Not Showing
- Verify the file is exactly
server-icon.png(case-sensitive on Linux) - Confirm the file is 64x64 pixels
- Confirm PNG format (not jpg renamed to .png)
- Restart the server after adding the icon
- Clear your Minecraft client cache (refresh server list)
Icon Looks Blurry
- Design at 64x64 from the start instead of shrinking a large image
- Use nearest-neighbor scaling for pixel art
- Avoid gradients and fine details that get lost at 64px
Icon Looks Wrong in Multiplayer List
- The server list may cache old icons
- Click "Refresh" in the multiplayer screen
- Remove and re-add the server entry
Design Tips
- Use your server name as text (keep it to 1 or 3 letters max)
- Pick a recognizable symbol (sword, pickaxe, creeper face)
- Use your brand colors consistently
- Avoid thin lines because they disappear at 64px
- Test how it looks on the multiplayer screen before finalizing
Make your server look professional. View Minecraft Hosting Plans
