Why Host Your Own Terraria Server?
Terraria's built-in multiplayer works via "Host & Play" — but that means the server dies when the host logs off. A dedicated server keeps the world running 24/7, lets friends join anytime, and gives you admin control over mods, world settings, and who can join.
Step-by-Step Setup with Forge Hosting
Create a free Forge account
Go to forged.jarviscli.dev and sign up. Takes 30 seconds — no credit card required.
Create a Terraria server
Click Create Server → select Terraria. For modded play, choose tModLoader instead. Name your server and hit create.
Configure your world
The server auto-generates a world on first boot. To customize, edit serverconfig.txt in the file manager:
worldname=MyWorld
difficulty=1 # 0=Normal, 1=Expert, 2=Master, 3=Journey
maxplayers=8
worldsize=2 # 1=Small, 2=Medium, 3=Large
password=yourpass # Optional: protect with a passwordConnect and play
Copy the server IP and port from your Forge dashboard. In Terraria: Multiplayer → Join via IP → paste the address. Share it with friends!
Adding Mods with tModLoader
If you chose tModLoader as your server type, you can install mods easily:
- Open the server console
- Use the Forge file manager to upload
.tmodfiles to the mods folder - Restart the server — mods are loaded automatically
- Make sure players have the same mods installed on their clients
Popular mod recommendations: Calamity (massive content expansion), Thorium (new classes & bosses), and Magic Storage (organization).
Optimizing Performance
- Use Medium world size for the best balance of content and performance
- Limit
maxplayersto your actual group size - If running heavy mods, consider upgrading to a Private Node for dedicated resources
Host Terraria for free
24/7 uptime. tModLoader support. No credit card required.
🔥 Create Free Server →