Understanding RAM Allocation

RAM (Random Access Memory) is one of the most important resources for a Minecraft server. It determines how much data your server can hold in memory at once — including loaded chunks, entities, player data, and mod resources. Choosing the right amount of RAM ensures smooth gameplay without lag spikes or crashes.

How RAM Affects Performance

When your server runs low on RAM, you will notice:

Lag spikes — The server pauses while Java’s garbage collector frees up memory
TPS drops — The server cannot maintain 20 ticks per second, causing delayed block breaks, entity movement, and redstone
Crashes — If the server completely runs out of memory, it will crash with an “Out of Memory” error
Slow chunk loading — New terrain takes longer to generate and load for players

Recommended RAM by Server Type

Here are general guidelines based on the type of server you are running:

Server Type	Players	Recommended RAM
Vanilla (no mods/plugins)	1-10	2-3 GB
Vanilla	10-30	4-6 GB
Paper/Spigot with light plugins	1-20	3-4 GB
Paper/Spigot with heavy plugins	10-50	6-8 GB
Light modpack (50-100 mods)	1-10	4-6 GB
Medium modpack (100-200 mods)	1-15	6-8 GB
Heavy modpack (200+ mods)	1-10	8-12 GB
Heavy modpack (200+ mods)	10-20	12-16 GB

These are starting points. Your actual needs depend on specific mods, plugins, world size, and player activity.

Signs You Need More RAM

Watch for these indicators that your server needs a RAM upgrade:

Consistent TPS below 18 (check with /tps command on Paper/Spigot)
Frequent garbage collection pauses visible in the console
Players reporting rubber-banding or block lag
Server crashes with java.lang.OutOfMemoryError in the logs

How to Upgrade Your RAM

Upgrading your server’s RAM on Witchly.host depends on your tier:

Free Tier: Visit the Store and spend coins to add more RAM to your resource pool (+1 GB for 2,000 coins). The upgrade is permanent and applies to all your free servers.

Elite Tier: Change your Stripe subscription to a higher plan. Your server data, worlds, plugins, and configurations are fully preserved. The server will need a restart to apply the new RAM allocation.

Tips for Optimizing RAM Usage

Even with adequate RAM, you can improve performance by:

Pre-generating chunks — Use a plugin like Chunky to generate terrain in advance, reducing real-time memory spikes
Limiting view distance — Reducing view-distance in server.properties from the default 10 to 6-8 significantly reduces loaded chunks
Clearing unused entities — Remove excessive item drops, mobs, and tile entities
Using Paper or Purpur — These optimized server software options use memory more efficiently than vanilla