OpenTTD server hosting for your transport empire
Run an OpenTTD game that keeps going while you sleep. The dedicated server hosts up to 15 companies, lists itself publicly or stays invite-only, and loads the NewGRFs and scripts your map needs.
- Dedicated OpenTTD 15 server (openttd -D)
- Up to 15 companies, 25 players by default
- Public, invite-only or local games
- NewGRFs, AIs and game scripts
- Companiesmax_clients sets how many people may connect; it is 25 by default.
- Up to 15 (max_companies)
- Ports3979 is the game port on TCP and UDP; 3977 is the admin port for management tools.
- 3979 TCP/UDP · admin 3977
- Version
- 15.3 (stable)
- VisibilityInvite-only servers are joined with an invite code that starts with +.
- Public, invite-only or local
- Content
- NewGRFs, AIs, game scripts
- Crossplay
- Windows · macOS · Linux
Options
- Invite codes
- NewGRF
- AI companies
- Game scripts
- rcon
- Autoclean
- Scenarios
Game facts from the OpenTTD documentation, wiki and source code, checked in October 2026.
- DDoS protection
- 20 game server locations
OpenTTD plans are being prepared
Tell us your map size, the number of companies and the NewGRFs you use, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online.
How much does an OpenTTD server need?
OpenTTD is light. Map size, the number of vehicles and heavy NewGRF sets decide how hard the server works.
Find your size
| Feature |
Small
Up to 5 players
|
Recommended Company game
Up to 15 players
|
Busy server
Up to 25 players
|
Large map
25+ players or a huge map
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more. | 1 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB+ |
| CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2+ |
| Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content. | 5 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB+ |
| Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time. | 256×256 | 512×512 | 1024×1024 | 2048×2048+ |
| Typical use | Friends sharing one company or a few | A full company game | Public server with many visitors | Big maps with heavy NewGRF sets |
-
Small
Up to 5 players
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more.
- 1 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 1
- Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content.
- 5 GB
- Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time.
- 256×256
- Typical use
- Friends sharing one company or a few
-
Recommended
Company game
Up to 15 players
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more.
- 1 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 2
- Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content.
- 5 GB
- Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time.
- 512×512
- Typical use
- A full company game
-
Busy server
Up to 25 players
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more.
- 2 GB
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 2
- Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content.
- 10 GB
- Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time.
- 1024×1024
- Typical use
- Public server with many visitors
-
Large map
25+ players or a huge map
- Memory (RAM)Memory for the map, the vehicles and the NewGRFs. Large maps with thousands of vehicles need more.
- 4 GB+
- CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores.
- 2+
- Disk spaceRoom for the game, your saves, autosaves and downloaded content.
- 10 GB+
- Map sizeBigger maps hold more towns, industries and vehicles, which all need CPU time.
- 2048×2048+
- Typical use
- Big maps with heavy NewGRF sets
OpenTTD publishes no server hardware figures; these starting points are our estimate. Each client uses about 1.5 KB/s of bandwidth in each direction, according to the OpenTTD documentation.
Visibility, content and admin tools
Run the game the way your group likes it, from a private invite to a public server.
Public, invite-only or local
server_game_type decides who can find the game. Invite-only servers are joined with an invite code that starts with +.
NewGRFs and scripts
Download NewGRFs, AIs and game scripts from the online content service with the content commands in the server console.
rcon
Set rcon_pw on the server, then send console commands from your game with rcon, the password and the command.
Autoclean
autoclean_companies removes companies that have been inactive for too long, and reset_company does it by hand.
Restart date
restart_game_year starts a new map when the game reaches the year you choose.
Passwords
Protect the server with a password, and let each company set its own password in the company window.
Set up your OpenTTD server
Four steps to your first train on the server.
-
Plan your game
Choose map size, companies and NewGRFs, then pick a size from the table above.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations.
-
Start a map or load a save
Start a new game, or load your save or scenario with -g, and set the server name, visibility and password.
-
Invite your players
Players search the internet list, add the server by address or enter the invite code.
Other game servers you might like
Frequently asked questions
How do I run an OpenTTD dedicated server?
Start OpenTTD with -D (a capital D). Add -g and a file name to load a save or scenario. On Linux and other Unix systems, -f runs the server in the background.
Which ports does OpenTTD use?
3979 on TCP and UDP for the game, set with server_port. The admin port, 3977 by default, is for management tools.
How many companies and players can join?
Up to 15 companies; max_companies is 15 by default. max_clients sets how many people may connect and is 25 by default. Several players can share one company.
How do players find my server?
That depends on server_game_type. Public servers appear in the internet list, invite-only servers are joined with an invite code that starts with +, and local servers are for the local network only.
Can I use NewGRFs, AIs and game scripts?
Yes. In the server console, run content update, select items with content select and get them with content download. Players who miss a NewGRF can use Find missing content online when they join.
Can I load my existing game?
Yes. Upload the save to the server and start it with -g and the file name, or load it from the console with ls, cd and load.
How do I administer the server from the game?
Set an rcon password on the server with rcon_pw. In your game, open the console and type rcon, the password and the command in quotes, for example a kick.
What happens to abandoned companies?
With autoclean_companies on, the server removes companies that stay inactive too long; autoclean_protected and autoclean_unprotected set the time for companies with and without a password. reset_company removes one by hand.
Does the game pause when someone joins?
By default, yes: pause_on_join is on, so the game waits while a new player loads the map. Turn it off on busy servers.
Can players on different systems play together?
Yes. OpenTTD runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and players on all three join the same server, as long as they use the same game version.
Ready to build your network?
Tell us your map, companies and NewGRFs, and we will help you pick the right OpenTTD server.