How to Use Your Own Domain for a Minecraft Server with an SRV Record

Before you buy a domain: a name might be enough

If what you want is an address that's easy to remember, you don't need to pay for a domain. On NapNodes every Minecraft server has its own address, typed without a port, and you can change the first part to any name you like: in the panel, the “Address to play” card → “Change” (letters, numbers and hyphens; at least 3). You get mycastle.play.napnodes.com and it works within a couple of minutes.

Your own domain pays off when the community already has a name: a website, a Discord, a rank store or a server you want to be able to move elsewhere without changing the address everyone knows.

What the SRV record does

When you type an address without a port, Minecraft Java first asks DNS for a record called _minecraft._tcp followed by that address. If it exists, the record gives it the target (the machine) and the port, and the game goes there. If it doesn't, it tries the usual port, 25565.

Rented servers are almost never on 25565 (one machine runs many and each has its own). That's why a domain that only points at the machine forces players to type mc.yourdomain.com:port, and with the SRV they don't have to.

Creating the record step by step

1. Write down your server's two details

   The target: the address with your server's identifier, <identifier>.play.napnodes.com (the identifier is the 8 characters in the panel address, panel.napnodes.com/server/<identifier>). That one doesn't change even if you pick another name. The port: in the panel, “Advanced settings” → “Ports”, the one marked “Primary”.

2. Go to your domain's DNS

   Where you bought it (or in Cloudflare, if you manage it there), in the DNS zone or “DNS records”, “Add record” of type SRV.

3. Fill in the record

   Service: _minecraft. Protocol: _tcp. Name: mc (for mc.yourdomain.com) or @ (for plain yourdomain.com). Priority: 0. Weight: 0 (or 5, it doesn't matter with a single record). Port: the primary one. Target: <identifier>.play.napnodes.com. If your provider only has one name field, it all goes together: _minecraft._tcp.mc.

4. Wait and test

   It usually works within a few minutes (the record's TTL is what counts; some providers warn it can take up to 48 hours). Type mc.yourdomain.com in “Multiplayer” → “Add Server”, without a port.

Checking it's right

The free tool “Is my Minecraft server online?” looks up the SRV record the same way the game does: type your domain without a port and, if it answers with your players and your MOTD, it's set up correctly.

You can also see it from the Windows, Mac or Linux command line: nslookup -type=SRV _minecraft._tcp.mc.yourdomain.com has to return your port and the target address.

Common mistakes

The doubled name: some DNS panels add _minecraft._tcp by themselves and, if you type it too, you end up with _minecraft._tcp._minecraft._tcp.mc. Check how the record looks once saved.

Cloudflare's orange cloud: its proxy is for websites and doesn't let Minecraft through. Records for the server go on “DNS only” (grey cloud). The SRV has no cloud, but a CNAME or A record you create for the server does.

Another server's port or an old one: copy the “Primary” one from “Ports”, not the extra one (that's for voice chat or a web map).

Typing the port in the game: if you enter mc.yourdomain.com:25565, Minecraft doesn't check the SRV and goes to 25565. No port.

Bedrock players

Minecraft Bedrock (mobile, consoles, Windows) doesn't look up SRV records: it always asks for an address and a port. If your server has Bedrock turned on (“Mods & plugins” → “Bedrock”, explained in the Java and Bedrock together guide), Bedrock players can keep using the panel address and its port. If you want them to use your domain too, add a CNAME with the same name (mc) pointing to <identifier>.play.napnodes.com, on “DNS only”: they'll type mc.yourdomain.com and the port, and Java players will keep joining without a port thanks to the SRV.

What about Project Zomboid or Valheim?

Neither of them uses SRV records: you always join with the address and the port. On NapNodes you have them together in the panel, ready to copy.

Frequently asked questions