How to Use Hex Colors in Your Minecraft Server MOTD

Beyond the 16 Legacy Colors

Vanilla Minecraft offers only 16 color codes (0-9, a-f). Since 1.16, the client supports full RGB hex colors in chat and the MOTD. Using hex color motd minecraft formatting lets you create gradients, exact brand colors, and eye-catching server list entries that stand out.

Hex Color Formats

Vanilla server.properties

The motd line in server.properties only supports legacy section-sign codes. To use hex colors here, you need the Bukkit/Spigot escape sequence. Each hex color is written as §x followed by six individual § + hex-digit pairs. For example, the color #FF5555 becomes:

§x§F§F§5§5§5§5

This is verbose, which is why most admins use a plugin instead.

MiniMessage (Paper, Velocity)

Paper-based servers support MiniMessage syntax in many places including the MOTD if you use a compatible plugin. The format is clean:

<color:#FF5555>Welcome to our server!</color>

Gradients are just as easy:

<gradient:#FF5555:#5555FF>Rainbow text here</gradient>

MOTD Plugins

Plugins like MiniMOTD, ServerListPlus, or CleanMOTD let you edit the MOTD from a config file with full hex color motd minecraft support. MiniMOTD is the most popular choice and supports:

• Hex colors with #FF5555 or MiniMessage tags
• Gradients with start and end colors
• Multiple MOTD lines that rotate randomly
• Player count customization
• Server icon per MOTD

Choosing Colors

Pick colors that contrast well against the dark multiplayer list background. Light pastels and neon tones pop, while dark blues and browns vanish. Use a tool like coolors.co to build a palette, then apply those hex values in your MOTD config.

Gradient Tips

• Limit gradients to one line. Two gradient lines can look chaotic.
• Use analogous colors (neighbors on the color wheel) for smooth transitions.
• Test with the Minecraft client, not just a web preview, because font rendering differs.

Your hex color motd minecraft setup works best alongside a matching server logo and a well-configured MOTD. Together, they create a polished first impression in the server list.

See a professionally hosted server: Astroworld MC, IP play.astroworldmc.com, Java + Bedrock.

Questions about Use Hex Colors

What exactly is Use Hex Colors doing here?

Since 1.16, the client supports full RGB hex colors in chat and the MOTD.

How much does Use Hex Colors actually need?

MiniMOTD is the most popular choice and supports: Hex colors with #FF5555 or MiniMessage tags Gradients with start and end colors Multiple MOTD lines that rotate randomly Player count customization Server icon per MOTD Pick colors that contrast well against the dark multiplayer list background.

Which file does Use Hex Colors change?

The motd line in server.properties only supports legacy section-sign codes.

Use Hex Colors: what does hex color formats mean here?

Using hex color motd minecraft formatting lets you create gradients, exact brand colors, and eye-catching server list entries that stand out.