How to Create an SRV Record for Minecraft Server
Create a Minecraft SRV record for Java servers using the correct _minecraft._tcp name, target hostname, port, priority, weight, and DNS-only settings.
An SRV record lets players join a Java server on a custom port without typing the port. It is useful when your host gives you a port like 25577 but you want players to use play.example.com.
Required Records
First create a target hostname:
| Type | Name | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A | node | Server public IP |
Then create the SRV record:
| Field | Example |
| --- | --- |
| Service | _minecraft |
| Protocol | _tcp |
| Name | play |
| Priority | 0 |
| Weight | 5 |
| Port | 25577 |
| Target | node.example.com |
The full SRV name is often shown as:
_minecraft._tcp.play.example.com
Players join:
play.example.com
Target Must Resolve
The SRV target should be a hostname. That hostname must have an A record pointing to the public IP. Do not use a raw IP as the SRV target.
If your DNS provider is Cloudflare, keep Minecraft hostnames DNS-only unless you are using a service designed for Minecraft traffic.
Common SRV Mistakes
| Mistake | Result | | --- | --- | | Wrong port | Players hit the wrong allocation | | Target is an IP | Some clients/resolvers fail | | Target hostname has no A record | Unknown Host or timeout | | Record created on root when players use subdomain | Client never queries the SRV you made | | Cloudflare proxy enabled | Java traffic may fail |
If the domain still fails, compare with how to use a domain for your Minecraft server.
FAQ
What does a Minecraft SRV record do?
It lets Java Edition clients discover the actual host and port behind a friendly domain.
Can the SRV target be an IP address?
Use a hostname target. Create an A record for that hostname and point it to the public IP.
Do Bedrock servers use the same SRV setup?
This guide is for Java Edition. Bedrock DNS and port behavior differs, and Bedrock commonly uses UDP.
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