Server Requirements
Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Requirements (CPU, RAM & Storage)
Planning to host Project Zomboid? Here are the practical hardware requirements for a stable Project Zomboid dedicated server, and how they map to group size. Project Zomboid is an open-ended zombie-survival sandbox set in Knox County, Kentucky in 1993 (Build 41), and its Steam Workshop mods and player count make RAM the resource that matters most.
Recommended specifications
| Resource | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | ~4 GB (6-8 GB modded) | The headline requirement. A vanilla small group runs on ~4 GB; more mods and more survivors push it to 6-8 GB. |
| CPU | 2 CPU cores | Two cores handle a vanilla small-group server; heavier mod lists and higher player counts benefit from more. |
| Storage | ~15 GB | Game files, Steam Workshop mods and world saves. SSD strongly recommended. |
| OS | Linux (Docker) | The dedicated server runs on Linux in Docker (danixu86/project-zomboid-dedicated-server). |
| Network | Stable low-latency link | Pick a region close to your players. Game ports 36261 and 36262 (UDP), RCON on 27015. |
Requirements by group size
- 2-4 players (vanilla): comfortable on the lower plan tiers with ~4 GB RAM, 2 CPU cores and ~15 GB storage for a small safehouse group.
- Up to 32 players or heavily-modded: choose a higher-RAM plan with 6-8 GB so a big Steam Workshop mod list and a full server of survivors stay responsive against the horde.
On our managed hosting these tiers are pre-sized to the requirements above, so you never have to benchmark hardware yourself. Compare options on the plans page.
What actually consumes the RAM
Player count is the obvious driver, but on a long-running world it is rarely the main one. Project Zomboid streams the map in cells and keeps loaded chunks resident, so a group that has explored half of Knox County holds far more in memory than the same group on a fresh save. Two other things matter just as much:
- Mods. A long Steam Workshop list — especially large custom maps, which add whole new cell grids — is usually what pushes a server past 4 GB. Budget headroom before you install rather than after; see the Steam Workshop mods guide.
- Spread. Players exploring in different directions load different parts of the map at once. Four survivors in one base cost less than four survivors in four towns.
CPU behaves differently: Project Zomboid's server is largely single-threaded, so raw clock speed matters more than core count, and zombie population is what drives it. A high-population sandbox setting will tax the CPU long before it exhausts RAM.
Self-hosting: what the machine actually needs
If you run the dedicated server yourself rather than on managed hosting, the requirements are the same but the responsibilities are not. You need a machine that stays on — a desktop that sleeps is the most common reason a "24/7" world is not — with a stable upload connection, since the server pushes world state to every connected player. Expect to install a JVM or use the official Docker image, keep it patched, and open 36261/UDP on both your router and your firewall. Port forwarding on a home connection is where most self-hosting attempts stall, and a residential IP that changes will break every saved connection your friends have.
None of that is hard, but it is ongoing. On managed hosting the port is already open, the image is already current, and the address does not change — which is the practical difference between the two routes covered in the setup guide.
Storage and backups
The entry plan's 15 GB of SSD is comfortable: the game itself is small, and a save grows slowly as more of the map is explored and modified. Custom maps and large mods take the most space. Every plan includes on-demand backups and one-click restore from the dashboard, so the practical advice is simply to take a backup before adding or updating mods — that is the moment a world is most likely to break.
Requirements FAQ
How much RAM does a Project Zomboid server need?
A vanilla small-group server runs on about 4 GB, while heavily-modded or larger servers want 6-8 GB. The number of Steam Workshop mods and your player count drive RAM more than anything else.
How many players can a Project Zomboid dedicated server support?
Up to 32 players, scaling with your plan. Plans are sold as 8, 16 and 32 slots. More survivors and more mods mean more RAM, so pick a tier that matches your group size.
Does a Project Zomboid server run on Linux?
Yes. The dedicated server runs on Linux in Docker (danixu86/project-zomboid-dedicated-server), which is exactly how it is deployed on Flux.