Rust needs more RAM than most games: 8 GB for a few friends, 12 GB for a normal server and 16 GB or more for big ones. Map size, player count, plugins and how much players build decide how hard your server works. This page shows what to set, and how to spot trouble on the graphs.
How much RAM you need
| Players online | Map size | Without plugins | With plugins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 | 2000 to 3000 | 8 GB | 10 GB |
| 10 to 50 | 3000 to 4000 | 12 GB | 12 to 16 GB |
| 50 to 100 | 3500 to 4500 | 16 GB | 16 to 24 GB |
| More than 100 | 4000 to 6000 | 24 GB | 32 GB |
These are our starting points, not promises. Facepunch suggests 12 GB of free memory for a typical server, and more for a 6000 map.
Rust’s memory use grows through a wipe. Every wall, box, furnace and dropped item is an entity the server keeps in memory. A server that starts the wipe at 6 GB can be using much more by the end. The wipe resets it.
Settings that cost the most
| What | Why it costs | What to set |
|---|---|---|
Map size (server.worldsize) |
A bigger map uses more RAM, takes longer to build, and spreads players out | 2500 to 3500 for friends. Go to 4000 or more only for a big population |
Max players (server.maxplayers) |
More players means more bases and more for the server to track | Set it to the number you really expect |
| Entities | Bases and items pile up during a wipe | Keep decay on (decay.scale 1), and wipe more often if the server slows near the end |
| Plugins | Some plugins run code all the time | Install only what you use. Remove plugins you’ve stopped using |
| Custom maps | Some maps have many detailed buildings | Pick maps made for your player count |
Save interval (server.saveinterval) |
Saving a big map takes a moment, and players can feel a short hitch | Don’t make saves much more frequent than the default |
Changing map size builds a new map, so plan it for your next wipe.
Restarts
Rust runs best with a regular restart, which clears memory the server no longer needs. Once a day at a quiet time is a good habit.
- Open Schedules.
- Add the Daily restart with warnings preset. It warns players in game 5 minutes and 1 minute before, then restarts.
- Set the time to when your server is quietest, like 5:00 in the morning.
- Optionally, only restart when nobody is online, so it never interrupts a raid.
A restart is also when changes in server.cfg take effect.
Check how the server is doing
Type serverinfo in the Console. It shows the server’s frame rate, entity count, memory and players. If the frame rate drops a lot as the wipe goes on while the entity count climbs, the map is getting full. If it drops right after you added a plugin, that plugin is the likely cause. Unload it with oxide.unload or c.unload and watch again.
Pick the right region
Ping (the delay between a player and the server) matters a lot in Rust fights. Pick the region closest to most of your players: EU or US East. Players far away can still join, but they’ll feel more delay.
Read the graphs on Overview
Overview shows CPU, RAM, players and network over the last 24 hours and 7 days.
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| RAM climbs slowly over days and drops at each restart | Normal for Rust |
| RAM touches the top of your plan | The server may crash. Restart more often, use a smaller map next wipe, remove plugins, or move to a bigger plan |
| CPU spikes every few minutes | The server saving the world. Normal unless players notice a hitch |
| CPU high with almost nobody online | Often a plugin. Unload plugins one at a time to find it |
| Network jumps when many players join | Normal. New players download the map and nearby entities |
If the server runs out of memory, the Console shows a crash helper card with a plain-words hint and a fix.
When to upgrade your plan
Move to a bigger plan when RAM stays near your plan’s limit even after restarts, or when you want a bigger map or more players. Your world, address and settings stay the same.
Questions
How much RAM does a Rust server need?
About 8 GB for a few friends on a small map, 12 GB for a normal 3000 to 4000 map with some plugins, and 16 GB or more for big maps, lots of plugins or more than 50 players.
Why does my Rust server use more RAM every day?
Every base, box and item players place is an entity the server keeps in memory. That grows through a wipe. Regular restarts and decay help, and the wipe resets it.
What map size should I use for a small Rust server?
For a group of friends, 2500 to 3500 is plenty. Smaller maps use less RAM, start faster and help you find each other.
How often should I restart my Rust server?
Once a day at a quiet time is a good habit. The daily restart preset in Schedules warns players in game first.
Sources we checked
- Creating a serverFacepunch Studios
- Useful Console CommandsFacepunch Studios
- Carbon Modding FrameworkFacepunch Studios
