Terraria is one of the best-selling games ever, and with the latest updates it is still hugely popular. A dedicated server lets you play with friends without the host needing to be online. In this guide, we explain everything.
Hardware requirements
Terraria servers are lightweight compared to most games:
| Players | RAM | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1-8 | 512 MB - 1 GB | Minimal configuration |
| 8-16 | 1-2 GB | Sufficient for most servers |
| 16+ | 2-4 GB | Large servers with mods |
Terraria primarily uses a single CPU thread. High clock speed is more important than many cores.
Installing the server
- Download the Terraria dedicated server from the official website or via SteamCMD.
- Extract the archive to a folder on your server.
- Start the server:
./TerrariaServer.bin.x86_64(Linux) orTerrariaServer.exe(Windows). - Select or create a world.
- Set a password (optional but recommended).
serverconfig.txt
Use a configuration file for automatic startup:
world=/path/to/world.wld autocreate=3 worldname=MyWorld difficulty=1 maxplayers=16 port=7777 password=secret secure=1 language=en npcstream=60
Start with config: ./TerrariaServer -config serverconfig.txt
World settings
- autocreate: 1=small, 2=medium, 3=large.
- difficulty: 0=normal, 1=expert, 2=master, 3=journey.
- seed: use a specific seed for reproducible worlds, or leave empty for random.
tModLoader: installing mods
tModLoader is the standard mod loader for Terraria. It is available as free DLC on Steam:
- Install tModLoader via Steam or manually on your server.
- Mods are managed via the in-game Mod Browser.
- On a server: place .tmod files in the mods folder and restart.
Popular mods: Calamity (new bosses and items), Thorium (extra content), Magic Storage (storage upgrade).
Firewall and ports
The default port is 7777 (TCP). Open it in your firewall:
ufw allow 7777/tcp
Can I run a Terraria server on a VPS?
Yes, and it is the ideal solution. Terraria servers use few resources. A small VPS plan with 1-2 GB RAM is more than enough for most groups.
Does cross-play work between PC and console?
No, Terraria does not have cross-play between PC and consoles. A dedicated server is only for PC players (Steam). Console players must use the built-in multiplayer system.
How do I back up my Terraria world?
Copy the .wld file in the Worlds folder. Do this regularly, especially for large worlds with a lot of work put into them. Automate it with a cron job for daily backups.
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