Terraria is even more fun with friends! Whether you want a quick co-op session or a full dedicated server experience, this guide covers every multiplayer method available — from Steam’s built-in friend system to joining via IP. Follow along and you’ll be digging, building, and battling bosses together in no time.
Method 1: Host & Play via Steam (Quickest Way to Start). This is the fastest and easiest way to play Terraria with friends online. From the main menu, navigate to ‘Multiplayer’ then select ‘Host & Play’. Choose your character (or create a new one), then select or create a world. You’ll be prompted to set a Steam multiplayer mode — choose ‘Friends Only’ to let any Steam friend join freely, or ‘Invite Only’ to control exactly who gets in. Optionally set a password, then click ‘Return to Game’ to start playing. Once you’re in-world, invite friends directly from the in-game settings. Note: the world shuts down for everyone the moment the host leaves the game.
Method 2: Join a Friend’s World via Steam. If a friend has already set up a Host & Play session, joining is simple. From the title screen, go to ‘Multiplayer’ then click ‘Join via Steam’. This opens the Steam overlay Friends dialog. Find your friend in the list, click the triangle drop-down menu next to their name, and select ‘Join Game’. If the option appears greyed out, the session is likely set to ‘Invite Only’ — ask your friend to send you an invite. Once invited, you’ll see a notification from Steam. Accept it, pick your character, enter a password if required, and you’ll spawn into their world instantly.
Method 3: Join via IP Address. Want to connect across different platforms or storefronts? Use the ‘Join via IP’ option. From the main menu, select ‘Multiplayer’ then ‘Join via IP’, pick your character, and enter the server’s IP address along with the port number — the default port is 7777. The host must share their external IP address (find it by searching ‘what is my IP’ on Google) for players connecting over the internet. Make sure the host has port 7777 forwarded on their router for this method to work properly.
Method 4: Setting Up a Dedicated Server. For larger groups or persistent worlds that stay online 24/7, a dedicated server is the best option. Terraria ships with a dedicated server binary called TerrariaServer.exe, which you can find in your Terraria installation folder. Launch it, follow the on-screen wizard to select or create a world, set a max player count and optional password, then share your server’s IP and port (default: 7777) with your friends. A dedicated server allows the world to run independently — no single player needs to stay connected to keep it alive. Requires at least 512 MB of RAM for small worlds, and 1–2 GB for 10+ players.
Method 5: LAN Multiplayer. Playing on the same local network? Terraria supports LAN play natively. The host selects ‘Host & Play’ from the Multiplayer menu, and players on the same network will see the world appear automatically when they search for local hosts. For LAN hosting, your device needs at least 1 GB of RAM. If you’re on different networks but want a LAN-style experience, tools like Radmin VPN can virtually connect your computers to the same network — then friends can join using your Radmin VPN IP and the default port 7777.
Multiplayer Player Limits. Terraria supports up to 8 players per world in standard PC multiplayer. On mobile, up to 4 players can join a world at once, and all devices must be on the same network and running the same multiplayer version. On consoles, split-screen co-op also counts as multiplayer. Keep player count in mind when choosing your server setup — larger groups benefit most from a dedicated server with adequate RAM.
How to Invite Friends via Steam. Once you’re in a hosted game, open the in-game settings and click the invite button next to each Steam friend you want to invite. They’ll receive an in-game notification from Steam. If a notification expires, friends can still join via the Steam overlay (Shift + Tab by default) — look for the open chat window with the invite link. Always close the Steam overlay using its own closing tab rather than pressing Escape, which would return you to Terraria’s main menu instead.
Troubleshooting Multiplayer Connection Issues. Stuck on ‘Connecting to…’? Here are the most common fixes: (1) Ensure Terraria is allowed through your Windows Firewall — create Allow rules for both UDP and TCP on port 7777. (2) If using Steam multiplayer, check that both players are running the latest version of the game. (3) Frame rate mismatches can cause players to appear to teleport — press F10 to check FPS and try capping the faster player’s frame rate. (4) For internet play via IP, confirm port forwarding is configured correctly on your router for port 7777. (5) When all else fails, restart Terraria and have the host create the session before friends launch the game.
Tips for a Better Terraria Multiplayer Experience. Keep these pro tips in mind for a smooth co-op session: Set a server password to prevent unwanted players from joining your world. Use ‘Invite Only’ mode for private games with close friends. If you plan to play on different schedules or across time zones, consider a dedicated server or rented hosting so the world stays available at all times. Remember that boss health scales with the number of players in Expert and Master mode — coordinate your boss fights so everyone is online and ready. Use the Wormhole Potion to teleport directly to a teammate’s location.
Renting a Terraria Server. Don’t want to deal with port forwarding, static IPs, or running TerrariaServer.exe manually? A hosted Terraria server from a game server provider is a hassle-free alternative. These services manage all the technical configuration, offer a web-based control panel, and keep your server running around the clock — even when you’re offline. A standard vanilla Terraria server typically needs 1–2 GB of RAM, while modded setups can require 3–6 GB. Costs are generally a few dollars per month depending on the plan size.
Ready to Play? Now you know every way to set up Terraria multiplayer — from the instant simplicity of Steam’s Host & Play to the power of a dedicated server. Pick the method that fits your group’s size, schedule, and technical comfort, invite your friends, and start your adventure together. Happy mining, Terrarians!