A vanilla or TShock Terraria server is light: 2 GB runs a small or medium world for most groups. Mods are what raise the need, so a tModLoader server starts at 4 GB. A large world or a bigger group also asks for more.
RAM for your group
| Your server | Plan |
|---|---|
| Vanilla or TShock, small or medium world, up to about 8 players | 2 GB |
| Vanilla or TShock, large world or a bigger group | 4 GB |
| tModLoader with a handful of mods | 4 GB |
| tModLoader with large content mods or big mod packs | 6 GB or more |
These are starting points. Every group plays differently, so check the RAM graph on Overview after your first long session.
Mods cost the most
On tModLoader, each content mod adds items, enemies, bosses and textures, and all of them sit in memory. A few small mods barely show. A big mod pack can need more memory than the world itself.
- Add mods a few at a time, and watch the RAM graph after each batch.
- Remove mods nobody uses. Fewer mods also means a faster start.
- The first start after adding mods takes longer, while tModLoader loads them.
TShock plugins are small. Most add very little.
World size
World size is set once, when a world is made:
| Size | Tiles |
|---|---|
| Small | 4200 × 1200 |
| Medium | 6400 × 1800 |
| Large | 8400 × 2400 |
A large world has about four times the tiles of a small one. It takes longer to make, uses more memory and makes bigger saves. Pick the size in Settings before your first start, because it only applies to new worlds.
Settings worth knowing
| Setting | Where | What to do |
|---|---|---|
maxplayers |
Settings (Max players) | Set it to your real group size. More players means more enemies and more data to send |
npcstream |
serverconfig.txt |
Leave it at 60. Lower values make enemies move more smoothly but send more data |
MaxSlots |
tshock/config.json |
TShock’s own limit, 8 at first. Raise it for a bigger group |
Big builds with many moving parts, like large farms full of statues, timers and pumps, also keep the server busy. If the server slows down near one build, that build is the place to look.
When nobody is on
A Terraria server with no players stops updating the world, so time doesn’t pass until someone joins. Since update 1.4.5.7, an empty server only starts updating once a player has fully joined.
On top of that, your server naps when nobody’s playing, so you aren’t paying for an empty server to sit awake. Terraria saves the world when the last player leaves.
Saves and restarts
Terraria saves the world on its own every so often, and when the last player leaves. You can also type save in the Console.
Terraria doesn’t need a daily restart. If the server feels slow after a long session, restart it from Overview. To restart on a timer, add one in Schedules at a time when nobody plays. Players get a warning in the game first.
Pick the right region
Choose the region closest to most of your group: EU or US East. A server far away adds delay to every swing and every jump, whatever the plan.
Read the graphs on Overview
| Graph | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| RAM | Memory the server holds, against your plan |
| CPU | How hard the server works. Spikes during boss fights, invasions and world saves are normal |
| Players | Who was on, and when. Handy for picking a quiet time for restarts |
| Network | Traffic in and out. It rises with more players and with a lower npcstream |
Still laggy?
If only one player lags, the problem is usually their connection: busy Wi-Fi, a VPN, or a long route to the server. If everyone lags:
- Check the RAM graph. If it sits at your plan’s limit, move up a plan or remove some mods.
- Check the CPU graph during the lag. Constant high use points at mods or a busy build.
- Restart the server from Overview.
Common errors covers crashes and other problems.
Questions
How much RAM does a tModLoader server need?
4 GB for a handful of mods. Large content mods and big mod packs need 6 GB or more. Watch the RAM graph after adding mods, and move up a plan if it sits at the limit.
Does world size affect a Terraria server?
Yes. A large world is about four times the size of a small one, so it takes longer to make, uses more memory and makes bigger saves.
Why is my Terraria server laggy?
If one player lags, it's usually their connection or a far-away region. If everyone lags, check the RAM and CPU graphs on Overview. Heavy mods and big builds with many moving parts cost the most.
