How to Make a Rust Server in 2026
Create a dedicated Rust server in 2026, hosted or on your own PC, explained step by step.
Want to play Rust with your own rules, your own group and your own wipe schedule instead of joining a random public server? A dedicated Rust server gives you full control over settings, admins and mods. This guide walks through both ways to create one and how to configure it properly from day one.
The two ways to create a Rust server
Before anything else, you need to pick between two very different approaches. This choice affects everything that follows, especially for a game as resource-hungry as Rust.
Option 1: host with a provider
You rent a Rust server from a specialised gaming host. It runs 24/7, survives your PC being off, comes with a web panel to manage files, restarts and wipes, and includes DDoS protection — which matters because Rust servers are a frequent target. This is the option almost every serious Rust community uses.
Option 2: run the server on your PC
You install RustDedicated via SteamCMD and run it at home. Free on the software side, but Rust is CPU and RAM hungry: your PC must stay on permanently, you expose your home IP, and you manage port forwarding and wipes manually. Only realistic for a quick private test with 1-2 friends.
Which option should you choose?
For anything beyond a two-person test, go with a host. Rust is one of the heaviest games to self-host — a decent host plan starts around €12-20/month and removes the DDoS risk, the always-on requirement and the manual wipe hassle entirely. See our full [Rust server cost guide](/en/guides/rust/rust-server-cost) for real prices.
Creating a Rust server with a host (recommended)
This is the method almost every Rust community uses. Here's the complete procedure.
1
Choose your hosting plan based on RAM
Rust's RAM needs scale with player count, map size and the number of Oxide plugins you run. For a small server (up to ~50 players, vanilla or light plugins), 8-12 GB is enough. For a mid-size community (50-125 players) with a bigger map and more plugins, go for 16-18 GB. Beyond 150 players, plan for 24 GB or more. Check our [Rust hosting comparison](/en/games/rust) to match a plan to your target population.
2
Order and access the panel
After ordering, you receive an email with your admin panel credentials — usually a Pterodactyl-style panel or a proprietary one. Log in and you'll see your server listed, in Stopped status.
3
Install Rust (RustDedicated)
From the panel, select Rust as the game to install. The host runs the equivalent of a SteamCMD
app_update 258550 in the background and downloads the RustDedicated server binary and game files (several GB). You don't need to touch SteamCMD yourself.4
Start the server for the first time
Launch the server once from the panel so it generates the map for your chosen
server.seed and server.worldsize, then stop it. On a fresh install this first map generation can take several minutes, especially on a large world size (4000+).5
Configure server.cfg
Open your panel's file manager and edit
server.cfg (or set the equivalent startup variables, depending on the host). At a minimum, set the server name, player cap, save interval and map seed/size:server.hostname "My Rust server"
server.maxplayers 100
server.worldsize 3500
server.seed 123456
server.saveinterval 3006
Set up RCON
RCON lets you send admin commands remotely without connecting in-game. Set
rcon.web 1, a rcon.port (default 28016, TCP) and a strong rcon.password. Most panels expose a built-in RCON console, or you can use a third-party tool like rcon.tools.7
Restart the server and get the IP
Restart from the panel. Once status shows Online, you'll see the server's IP and game port, typically formatted as
123.45.67.89:28015. That's the address your players connect to via the in-game server browser or F1 console.8
Connect in-game
Launch Rust, open the console with F1 and type
client.connect IP:PORT, or find your server by name in the community server browser if you've made it public. Give yourself admin rights via RCON or the panel's "add owner/moderator" option to unlock admin commands in F1.Server online in under 20 minutes
With a host offering one-click Rust installation, the whole setup takes 15-20 minutes, most of it spent waiting for the initial download and first map generation.
Creating a Rust server on your own PC
If you still want to self-host, here's the procedure using SteamCMD.
1
Install SteamCMD
Download SteamCMD from Valve's site and extract it to a folder, e.g.
C:\steamcmd on Windows or ~/steamcmd on Linux. Launch it once (steamcmd.exe or ./steamcmd.sh) to let it self-update.2
Download the Rust dedicated server files
Inside SteamCMD, log in anonymously and pull the Rust dedicated server files (Steam app ID 258550):
login anonymous
force_install_dir ./rustserver
app_update 258550 validate
quit3
Launch RustDedicated
In the install folder, run
RustDedicated.exe (Windows) or ./RustDedicated (Linux) with your startup parameters, for example:RustDedicated.exe -batchmode +server.hostname "My Rust server" +server.port 28015 +server.maxplayers 50 +server.worldsize 3000 +server.seed 123456 +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password "changeme"4
Open the network ports
For friends to connect from outside your network, set up port forwarding on your router: 28015 UDP for the game itself, plus the query port (usually 28015 or 28016 depending on config) and 28016 TCP if you want remote RCON access. Every router's interface differs, so search "port forwarding [your router model]" if needed.
5
Share your public IP
Your friends connect using your public IP (find it by searching "my ip" on Google) plus the game port, e.g.
86.12.34.56:28015. Warning: most residential connections use a dynamic IP that can change on router restart, breaking the connection until you share the new one.The limits of a home server
Rust is one of the most demanding games to self-host: it needs a strong single-thread CPU and several GB of dedicated RAM just idling, on top of your own PC use. Your server goes down with your PC, your upload bandwidth caps how many players can connect smoothly, and you're personally exposed to the DDoS attacks that public Rust servers regularly attract. For anything beyond a private test, a host is the safer and often cheaper option.
Configuring your Rust server: the essential settings
Whether hosted or self-hosted, these are the server.cfg commands you'll touch most often.
| Command | Example value | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| server.hostname | "My Rust server" | Name shown in the server browser |
| server.maxplayers | 100 | Maximum number of simultaneous players |
| server.worldsize | 3500 | Map size in meters (3000 tight PvP, 4000-4500 for 150-250 players) |
| server.seed | 123456 | Map generation seed — reuse it to regenerate the same map |
| server.saveinterval | 300 | Auto-save interval in seconds |
| server.description | "Modded, weekly wipe" | Description shown in the server browser |
| rcon.port | 28016 | RCON port (TCP) for remote admin access |
| rcon.password | "changeme" | Password required to connect via RCON |
| server.pve | false | Enables PvE mode (disables player vs. player damage) |
These are the commands you'll set on day one. Most hosts also expose them as friendly toggles in the panel, so you rarely need to edit server.cfg by hand.
Managing your Rust server: wipes, backups and RCON
Understanding and scheduling wipes
A **wipe** resets the map (and often blueprints) to give everyone a fresh start. Facepunch pushes a **forced wipe** on the first Thursday of every month alongside its update — every server must at least map-wipe because the update changes the network protocol, so there's no opting out. Most communities also run their own mid-cycle wipes (weekly or bi-weekly) on top of the forced one. On a host, scheduling a wipe is usually a one-click "reset world" action in the panel that regenerates the map with a new (or fixed) seed.
Backing up your server
Save files live in the server's root folder as `.sav` files, alongside the `server.cfg` and `oxide/` folder if you run plugins. On a host, download these via the file manager or SFTP before a big update. Some hosts offer automatic scheduled backups — worth enabling if your community has been running the same map for weeks.
Remote administration via RCON
Once `rcon.port` and `rcon.password` are set, you can connect with a dedicated RCON client (or your panel's built-in console) to run admin commands without being in-game: kicking, banning, broadcasting messages, or checking server performance (`serverinfo`, `fps`) in real time.
Going further with Oxide/uMod plugins
Almost every serious Rust server runs on **Oxide** (distributed via umod.org), the near-universal modding and admin framework for Rust. It adds permissions, kits, teleport commands, better chat, and hundreds of other plugins. Installing it is usually a one-click option in a Rust-focused host's panel; self-hosted, it means dropping the Oxide DLL into your server folder. Expect it to add noticeably to your RAM footprint as you add more plugins.
Useful RCON / F1 admin commands
kick PlayerName — kick a player. ban PlayerName — ban by Steam ID or name. save — force an immediate save. serverinfo — show current player count, FPS and entity count.Ready to launch your Rust server?
Take the 2-minute quiz to get a host matched to your target population, or compare every Rust plan side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does a Rust server need?
A small vanilla server (up to ~50 players) runs fine on 8-12 GB. Add Oxide plugins or push past 50-100 players and you should plan for 16-18 GB. Large communities of 150+ players with heavy plugin loads often need 24 GB or more. Map size (server.worldsize) also drives RAM use independently of player count.
How much does hosting a Rust server cost?
Entry-level plans start around €12-20/month for 8-12 GB, enough for a small server. A well-populated mid-size community typically costs €20-30/month, and large 150+ slot servers can reach €40-60/month or more. See our [full Rust server cost guide](/en/guides/rust/rust-server-cost) for real plan-by-plan pricing.
What is a Rust wipe and how often does it happen?
A wipe resets the map (and sometimes blueprints) for a fresh start. Facepunch forces a wipe on the first Thursday of every month with its monthly update — this is mandatory for every server. Many communities layer additional wipes (weekly or bi-weekly) on top of that forced one.
What is Oxide/uMod and do I need it?
Oxide is the standard modding and admin framework for Rust, distributed via umod.org. It's not required to run a server, but it's how you add permissions, kits, custom commands and hundreds of quality-of-life plugins. Most Rust-focused hosts let you install it in one click from the panel.
How many players can a Rust server support?
There's no hard engine cap — public servers commonly run 100 to 300 slots. What limits you in practice is server hardware: RAM, CPU clock speed and map size all need to scale up together as you raise
server.maxplayers.Which ports does a Rust server use?
The game port defaults to 28015 (UDP) and is what players connect to. RCON, for remote admin access, defaults to 28016 (TCP). If you self-host, both need to be forwarded on your router; on a host, this is handled automatically.
Can I change the map size and seed after launch?
Yes, but changing
server.worldsize or server.seed regenerates the map from scratch, which erases the current world — effectively a wipe. Plan seed and size changes for a scheduled wipe rather than mid-cycle.Is my Rust server online if I'm not connected?
Yes, if you use a host — the server runs 24/7 independently of your own connection. If you self-host, the server goes down the moment your PC shuts down, restarts or loses power.
Our recommendation
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