Minecraft: How to Allocate More RAM

To allocate more RAM to Minecraft Java Edition, open the Minecraft Launcher, go to Installations, edit your installation, open More Options, and raise the number in the -Xmx value in the JVM Arguments field (for example, -Xmx4G to -Xmx6G). Bedrock Edition, including every console version, has no memory setting at all, because the game manages memory itself. Below we cover the launcher steps, how much RAM to give the game, modded launchers, servers, and how to confirm the change worked.

This guide is current for Minecraft Java Edition 26.3 and Bedrock Edition 26.50, as of late September 2026.

How Much RAM Minecraft Uses by Default

The default changed this year. Mojang’s Java 26.1 changelog (the Tiny Takeover drop, March 2026) says: “The game now allocates 4 GB of RAM by default (up from 2 GB).” Mojang said the bump was meant “to make the game run smoother and reduce stutters,” and the same update switched the garbage collector, Java’s memory clean-up system, from G1GC to ZGC on compatible devices.

The current default arguments in Mojang’s version files start with -Xms2G -Xmx4G. The -Xmx number is the most memory the game may use; -Xms is how much it starts with. Older installations you set up yourself may still show -Xmx2G.

For plain vanilla play, that 4 GB default is enough for most people. Extra memory helps most with big modpacks, high render distances, and heavy shader packs.

How to Allocate More RAM in the Minecraft Launcher

These steps follow Mojang’s help article on checking memory allocation:

1. Check your installed RAM. On Windows, go to Start > Settings > System > About. On a Mac, open the Apple menu > About This Mac.
2. Open the Minecraft Launcher, sign in, and select Minecraft: Java Edition on the left.
3. Select the Installations tab at the top, then the installation you want to change (such as Latest release), and edit it.
4. Select More Options on the Edit installation screen.
5. Back up the arguments. Copy everything in the JVM Arguments field into Notepad or TextEdit and save it, so you can undo any mistake.
6. Change the -Xmx number. Replace -Xmx4G with the amount you want, such as -Xmx6G for 6 GB. Keep the G for gigabytes and leave the rest of the line alone.
7. Select Save and launch the game.

If the game refuses to start, Mojang’s advice is to compare the field with your backup and look for typos or case differences, or paste the backup back in.

How Much RAM to Allocate

Mojang’s help article gives three rules:

• 64-bit systems: half of your installed RAM is the recommended maximum. A PC with 16 GB can safely give Minecraft up to 8 GB.
• 32-bit systems: 4 GB is the maximum.
• 4 GB of RAM or less: lower the allocation to 2 GB (-Xmx2G). Since 26.1 asks for 4 GB by default, low-memory PCs can crash until you do this.

More is not always better. Windows, your browser and Discord still need memory, and giving Java nearly all of it can cause the stutters you were trying to fix. If you lower -Xmx below 2 GB, also lower -Xms2G to match, because Java will not start when the starting value is bigger than the maximum. Large modpacks often list their own recommended amount on their download page, which is the number to follow.

Modded Launchers, Servers and Realms

Third-party launchers. CurseForge, the Modrinth App and similar launchers do not use the official launcher’s JVM field. Each has its own memory slider in its settings, and some also allow a per-instance override. Mojang’s 26.1 notes warned that “third-party launchers may not support these changes,” so check that yours is actually giving the game 4 GB or more. Our 50 best Minecraft mods list is a good place to start if you are building a modded setup.

Your own server. A Java server’s memory is set in its start command. Mojang’s server download page gives java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar minecraft_server.<version>.jar nogui; raise the -Xmx number (and -Xms with it if you like) to give the server more. The server’s memory is separate from your game client’s.

Realms. Mojang runs Realms, so there is no memory setting for players. Our guide to playing with friends compares Realms, LAN and servers.

How to Check That It Worked

Load a world and press F3 to open the debug screen. Per Mojang’s guide to the debug menu, the right side shows a Mem line (memory in use over the maximum the game can use) and an Allocated line (if you have customized the debug screen, make sure the memory entries are switched on). The maximum should match your new -Xmx value. The same screen shows your position, which our guide to showing coordinates covers in detail.

If the game still stutters with plenty of memory, Mojang has a separate help article on switching the garbage collector back from ZGC to G1GC, which it suggests for players who see performance problems after 26.1.

What Bedrock and Console Players Can Do

There is no RAM option on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile or the Bedrock version on Windows. The game handles memory for you. If Bedrock runs poorly, Mojang’s troubleshooting advice is to close other apps, update the game and your device, and turn down demanding video settings. There is more in every Minecraft guide on the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM does Minecraft Java use by default? Since Java 26.1, the default is 4 GB, up from 2 GB, per Mojang’s changelog.

Is 8 GB of RAM too much for Minecraft? Not if your PC has 16 GB or more. Mojang recommends giving the game no more than half of your installed RAM on a 64-bit system.

Can you allocate more RAM on PS5, Xbox or Switch? No. Bedrock Edition, including all console versions, has no memory setting.

Why won’t Minecraft launch after changing the RAM? Usually a typo in the JVM Arguments field, or a starting value (-Xms) higher than the maximum. Paste your backup back in and try again.

Does allocating more RAM increase FPS? Not by itself. It helps with crashes and stutters when the game runs short of memory, but it will not fix a struggling graphics card, and Mojang’s performance tips focus on video settings.