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

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How to create and set a custom server icon for your Minecraft server. Correct size, format, and troubleshooting.

Written by Jochem – Infrastructure Expert – 5-10 years experience in game server hosting, VPS infrastructure, and 24/7 streaming solutions. Read author bio →

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

Minecraft server icon guide

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:

  1. Set canvas size to 64x64 pixels
  2. 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

  1. Name the file server-icon.png
  2. Upload to the server root directory (next to server.jar)
  3. 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

Jochem

About the Author

Jochem – Infrastructure Expert – Expert in game server hosting, VPS infrastructure, and 24/7 streaming solutions with 5-10 years experience.

Since 2023
500+ servers hosted
4.8/5 avg rating

I specialize in Minecraft, FiveM, Rust, and 24/7 streaming infrastructure, operating enterprise-grade AMD Ryzen 9 hardware in Netherlands datacenters.

View my full bio and credentials →

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