Project Zomboid Server IP: How to Find It

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you exactly where to find the IP address for your Project Zomboid dedicated server, whether you’re hosting it yourself or renting from a provider. You’ll need the IP to share with friends so they can join your game. The steps differ slightly depending on your setup, so we cover both local and hosted servers.

What You’ll Need

Access to the machine running the server (for self-hosted)
Your hosting provider’s control panel login (for rented servers)
Project Zomboid installed on the client you’re joining from

Step-by-Step

For a Self-Hosted Server (Your Own PC or a Machine You Control)

Find your local IP address. On Windows, open Command Prompt (press Win+R, type cmd, press Enter) and type ipconfig. Look for the IPv4 Address under your active network adapter (e.g., 192.168.1.100). On Linux, use ip addr or hostname -I.
Find your public IP address. This is the address friends outside your local network will use. Open a web browser and search “what is my IP” or visit a site like whatismyip.com. Note the IPv4 address shown.
Combine IP and port. The default port for Project Zomboid is 16261. Your server address is usually just your IP, but if you’ve changed the port, you’ll need to append it with a colon, like 123.45.67.89:16261.
Check your server startup settings. If you launched the server via the dedicated server tool, the IP is often shown in the console window when it starts. Look for lines like “Server bound to” or “Listening on”.

For a Rented Server (Hosting Provider)

Log into your hosting provider’s website. Go to the control panel or dashboard where you manage your services.
Find your server’s details. Look for a section labeled “Server Info”, “IP Address”, or “Connection Details”. This is usually on the main page for your specific server.
Note the IP and port. The provider will list the IP address (e.g., 203.0.113.45) and the port (often 16261, but some providers use a different one). Write both down.
If you can’t find it, check your email. Most providers send a welcome email with the IP, port, and admin credentials when you first rent the server.

For a LAN Game (Same Wi-Fi/Network)

Start the game and go to the Join menu. The host’s server should appear automatically in the LAN tab.
If it doesn’t appear, use the local IP. The host needs to find their local IPv4 address (see step 1 above) and give it to you. You can type it directly into the “IP Address” field in the Join menu.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong IP type. Giving friends your local IP (192.168.x.x) when they are on a different network will not work. They need your public IP. Conversely, if you’re on the same network, using the public IP can sometimes fail due to NAT loopback issues—use the local IP instead.
Forgetting the port. If your server uses a non-default port, friends must include it. Even with the default port, some clients require you to type it explicitly.
Not forwarding ports. If you’re self-hosting and want friends from the internet to join, you must forward the game port (16261) and the Steam query port (16262) on your router. Without this, the public IP will lead nowhere.
Confusing IPv4 and IPv6. Project Zomboid currently works best with IPv4. If your public IP shows an IPv6 address (like 2001:db8::1), you may need to find your IPv4 address specifically.

Tips

Use a dynamic DNS service. If your public IP changes often, set up a free DDNS hostname (like yourname.ddns.net) and share that instead. It always points to your current IP.
Test the connection yourself. Before sharing, try joining your own server using the public IP. If you can’t join, friends won’t be able to either.
Keep the server console visible. The console often displays the exact IP and port the server is listening on. Make a habit of checking it after startup.
Write down the IP and port. Store them in a text file or note on your phone so you don’t have to re-find them every time.

Troubleshooting

Friends can’t connect with your public IP. First, check that your port forwarding rules are correct. Make sure you’re forwarding both TCP and UDP on port 16261 (and 16262 if using Steam). Also, check your firewall—Windows Firewall or your antivirus may be blocking the server. Add exceptions for the Project Zomboid server executable.
The IP works but the server doesn’t show in the list. This is normal—the in-game server browser can be unreliable. Use the “IP Address” field in the Join menu and type the IP:port manually.
You get a “Connection refused” error. This usually means the server isn’t running, the port is wrong, or the server is not reachable. Verify the server is still running and that the port is correct. If you’re self-hosting, check that the server didn’t crash.
Your public IP changed. Some ISPs assign dynamic IPs. Restarting your router may give you a new one. Re-check your public IP and share the new one with friends.
You’re on the same network but can’t connect via public IP. This is a NAT loopback issue. Use the host’s local IP instead (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default Project Zomboid server port?

The default port is 16261. The Steam query port is 16262. If you change the game port, the query port usually changes too (game port + 1).

Do I need to include the port when sharing my IP?

If the server uses the default port 16261, you can usually just share the IP. However, if you’ve changed the port, or if your friends are having trouble, include it as IP:16261.

Why does my IP keep changing?

Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses. Your ISP assigns a new one periodically. Use a DDNS service to get a stable hostname that always points to your current IP.

Can I find my server IP from inside the game?

If you’re the host of a LAN game, the IP is not shown in the game UI. You’ll need to check your computer’s network settings. For a dedicated server, the console output usually shows the IP.

My friend can’t join even with the correct IP. What else could be wrong?

Check that the server is fully started (the “Server started” message appears in the console). Also, ensure your friend is running the same game version and mods as the server. Mismatched mods are a common cause of connection failures.

Is the server IP the same as my Steam friend code?

No. Your Steam friend code is a separate identifier. The server IP is the network address of the machine running the game. Friends need the IP, not your Steam code, to join directly.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.