How many players can join a Palworld server?
A Palworld dedicated server supports up to 32 players at once, while invite-code co-op supports 4. Learn which setting controls the cap, how crossplay shares slots, and how to choose a 4, 8, 16, or 32-player server.
A Palworld dedicated server supports up to 32 players online at the same time. The normal invite-code co-op mode supports 4 players. Moving to a dedicated server raises the cap and keeps the world available when the person who created it is offline.
The 32-player limit is total, not per platform. Steam, Xbox, PS5, and Mac players all use the same pool of concurrent slots.
Co-op and dedicated-server limits
| Server type | Concurrent players | Stays online without the host? |
|---|---|---|
| Invite-code co-op world | 4 | No |
| Self-hosted dedicated server | Up to 32 | Yes |
| Crossplay dedicated server | Up to 32 total | Yes |
| berrybyte Palworld server | 4, 8, 16, or 32 by plan | Yes |
CoopPlayerMaxNum applies to co-op sessions. A dedicated server uses
ServerPlayerMaxNum, so changing the co-op value does not add dedicated-server
slots.
What counts as an occupied slot?
The cap counts live connections:
- A connected player uses one slot.
- A disconnected player uses no slot.
- Offline characters, inventories, Pals, and bases remain saved.
- An extra player must wait until someone disconnects when the server is full.
- Crossplay does not reserve separate blocks of slots for each platform.
You can have more community members than the configured cap as long as they do not all connect at once.
Set the player limit
Stop the server before editing
Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini on Linux or
Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/PalWorldSettings.ini on Windows. Set a value
from 1 through 32 inside the single OptionSettings line:
OptionSettings=(ServerPlayerMaxNum=16)You can also pass a launch argument:
./PalServer.sh -players=16On berrybyte, the selected plan controls the available slots. Use Settings → Game Settings for the rest of the world configuration.
Setting a number above 32 does not create a supported larger server. Mods or binary patches that claim to raise the cap are experimental, can break after an update, and add load the game was not designed to handle.
Crossplay shares the same 32 slots
CrossplayPlatforms=(Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac) controls which platforms may join,
not how many slots each receives. A full 32-player server could contain:
- 16 Steam players,
- 8 Xbox players,
- 4 PS5 players, and
- 4 Mac players.
Xbox and PS5 players find the server by name in Community Servers, while
Steam players can also connect by IP. See set up a Palworld server for
Xbox for the
-publiclobby requirement.
Choose 4, 8, 16, or 32 slots
Do not buy 32 slots only because the game permits 32. Size for the number who will actually be online together:
| Tier | Best fit |
|---|---|
| 4 players | One small co-op group moving from invite-code hosting |
| 8 players | Most friend groups; berrybyte's recommended tier |
| 16 players | An active group with several bases and simultaneous exploration |
| 32 players | A public or organized community that expects large sessions |
More players also mean more active bases, Pals, items, and world simulation. Read how much RAM a Palworld server needs before self-hosting the full cap.
Player count is not the only performance limit
A server can have free slots and still struggle. Watch for:
- memory use climbing until the process crashes,
- rubber-banding around large automated bases,
- pauses while several players explore new areas,
- slow storage during world saves, and
- outdated or conflicting mods.
Adding slots does not add CPU or memory to a self-hosted machine. If the process is already near its limits, lower the player cap, reduce world load, schedule restarts, or move to stronger hardware.
Match memory to a small group, active world, or full community.
Set up a dedicated serverInstall on Windows, Linux, or Docker and open the correct ports.
Configure server settingsChange ServerPlayerMaxNum, crossplay, rates, and passwords.
Choose a player tierStart with 4, 8, 16, or 32 slots and change later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Palworld dedicated-server player limit?
A Palworld dedicated server supports up to 32 concurrent players. Set the limit from 1 to 32 with ServerPlayerMaxNum in PalWorldSettings.ini or the -players launch flag. The limit is shared across Steam, Xbox, PS5, and Mac.
Can more than 4 people play Palworld together?
Yes. Invite-code co-op is limited to 4 players, but a dedicated server supports up to 32 players and remains online without the original host.
Does Palworld crossplay allow 32 players per platform?
No. Crossplay shares one pool of up to 32 concurrent slots. A server with 20 Steam players and 12 console players is full.
Do offline Palworld players use a server slot?
No. Only players connected at that moment count toward ServerPlayerMaxNum. Offline characters and their Pals remain saved in the world without occupying a concurrent slot.
Which berrybyte Palworld plan should I choose?
Plans are available for 4, 8, 16, and 32 players. Four slots fits a small co-op group, 8 is the recommended tier for most groups, and 16 or 32 fits larger communities. You can change tiers later.