With your own domain, players join via play.yourserver.com instead of a string of numbers, and you can move the server without anything changing for them.
Ideally the domain points to DDoS protection via CNAME. An A record straight to your server works too, but makes your real IP public.
Contents
Why a custom domain?
- Easy to remember: everyone remembers
play.yourserver.com, nobody remembers203.0.113.10:25566. - Moving without chaos: if you switch hosts, you only change the DNS record. Players keep joining via the same address.
- The basis for protection: DDoS protection like BlackProtect works through your domain. No domain, no protection in front.
- Looks professional: on server lists, on YouTube and on Discord.
A domain costs a few euros or dollars a year at most providers. Buy it somewhere you can edit the DNS records yourself. Almost all providers allow that; Cloudflare does too, for free.
Which DNS record is the right one?
A DNS record tells Minecraft where to connect for your address. There are three options:
CNAME to a protection service (recommended)
The name doesn't point at your server but at the protection, e.g. play → your personal target at BlackProtect. Players connect to our filter servers, we forward to you. Your real IP stays hidden, and this one record is all you need. The setup wizard shows the exact steps.
A record straight to your server
The name points directly at your server's IP: type A, name play, value 203.0.113.10. Simplest option, but anyone can look up the IP. Fine for a small server among friends, a risk for a public server.
SRV record for a different port
If your server doesn't run on the default port 25565, an SRV record tells Java players which port to use. That way they still join with just play.yourserver.com, no port:
Type: SRV
Name: _minecraft._tcp.play
Priority: 0
Weight: 5
Port: 25566
Target: server.yourserver.comThe target must be a name, not an IP. Create an extra A record server → your server's IP for it. With BlackProtect you don't need an SRV record, because players always reach us on the default port.
Bedrock (phone, console) doesn't support SRV records. Bedrock players always enter the address and the port. More: Geyser and Bedrock setup.
Checking that it works
New records usually take a few minutes, sometimes up to an hour, to show up everywhere. You can check them in a terminal:
nslookup play.yourserver.com
nslookup -type=SRV _minecraft._tcp.play.yourserver.comThen in Minecraft, under “Add Server”, just enter play.yourserver.com.
Common mistakes
- Wrong SRV name: it must be exactly
_minecraft._tcp.plus your subdomain. Many providers append your domain automatically, so you only enter_minecraft._tcp.play. - IP as SRV target: doesn't work. The target must be a name with its own A record.
- Orange cloud on Cloudflare: Minecraft only works with DNS only. More: Minecraft and Cloudflare.
- An old A record to the real server stays in place: after switching to protection it keeps revealing your IP. Delete it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a subdomain like play., or does the root domain work?
Both work. A subdomain like play. is more practical, because the root domain stays free for your website.
Does my domain have to be on Cloudflare?
No, any provider that lets you edit DNS records works. Cloudflare is free and fast, and BlackProtect can set the record there automatically if you want.
Does a domain hide my IP?
Only if it points to protection. An A record straight to your server can be looked up in seconds. More: Hide your server IP.