RustRust server.cfg Settings Explained (Convars and Defaults)
Every Rust server.cfg setting worth changing, with its default: hostname, maxplayers, worldsize, seed, saveinterval, decay, PvE, upkeep and more.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 · 7 min read
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Rust reads server.cfg from server/<identity>/cfg/server.cfg every time it starts, one convar per line, no + in front. The settings most servers change are server.hostname, server.description, server.maxplayers, server.worldsize (default 4500), server.seed (default 1337), server.saveinterval (default 600 seconds) and decay.scale (default 1). Below is what each one does, its default, and what we would set it to.
Where is server.cfg on a Rust server?
Inside your identity folder:
server/<identity>/cfg/server.cfg
The identity is whatever +server.identity was set to at launch, so it might be server/rust/cfg/ or server/myserver/cfg/. If the file does not exist, create it. The same cfg folder also holds users.cfg (owners and moderators) and bans.cfg, which server.writecfg writes for you, plus serverauto.cfg for settings Rust saves on its own.
Launch options vs server.cfg
Any convar can be set in two places:
- As a launch option with a plus sign:
+server.worldsize 4000. This is how SteamCMD setups pass the map, ports and identity. - In server.cfg without the plus:
server.worldsize 4000.
Our rule: set the map (server.level, server.worldsize, server.seed, server.levelurl), ports, identity and RCON as launch options, and put gameplay and listing settings in server.cfg. Never set the same convar in both places. It works, but the next person to touch the server will waste an hour finding out which one wins.
On a GamezServers Rust server, the launch side is the Settings page: map size, map seed, custom map URL, player count, save interval, server browser tags and RCON password are fields there. Everything else goes in server.cfg through the Files tab.
Server identity and listing settings
| Convar | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
server.hostname |
My Untitled Rust Server |
Name in the server browser |
server.description |
No server description has been provided. |
Text on your server's browser page. Use \n for new lines |
server.url |
empty | Website or Discord link for the Visit Website button |
server.headerimage |
empty | Banner image URL (a direct link to a JPG or PNG) |
server.logoimage |
empty | Logo image URL shown in the browser |
server.tags |
empty | Browser tags, comma separated, for example weekly,vanilla,eu |
server.maxplayers |
set by launch | The player cap. On our servers it follows your plan |
Tags matter more than people think, because players filter by them. Facepunch's list of valid tags: wipe schedule (monthly, biweekly, weekly), style (vanilla, hardcore, softcore, pve, roleplay, creative, minigame, training, battlefield, broyale, builds), region (NA, SA, EU, WA, EA, OC, AF) and others. Pick one per group. weekly and monthly together cancel each other out. Full list on the Facepunch wiki.
A complete listing block looks like this:
server.hostname "Fresh Rust | Weekly | 2x Gather | EU"
server.description "Wipes every Thursday.\nActive admins. No toxicity.\nDiscord: discord.gg/yourcode"
server.url "https://discord.gg/yourcode"
server.headerimage "https://example.com/banner.jpg"
server.tags "weekly,eu"
Map settings
| Convar | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
server.level |
Procedural Map |
Map type. Others: Barren, HapisIsland, CraggyIsland, SavasIsland |
server.worldsize |
4500 | Map size in metres, from 1000 to 6000 |
server.seed |
1337 | Map layout, any number from 0 to 2147483647 |
server.levelurl |
empty | Direct download link to a custom .map file |
Changing any of these generates a new map, which is a wipe in practice. Sizes, seed previews and custom maps have their own guide: how to change Rust map size, seed and custom maps.
Save and performance settings
| Convar | Default | What it does | Our pick |
|---|---|---|---|
server.saveinterval |
600 | Seconds between autosaves | 300 to 600 |
server.savebackupcount |
2 | Rolling backup copies of the save file | 2 |
server.tickrate |
10 | Network tick rate | Leave it |
server.itemdespawn |
300 | Seconds before dropped items vanish | 300 |
server.corpsedespawn |
300 | Seconds before corpses vanish | 300 |
server.idlekick |
30 | Minutes before AFK players are kicked, 0 turns it off | 30 on busy servers |
server.idlekickmode |
1 | 0 nobody, 1 non-admins, 2 everyone | 1 |
Save interval is a trade. Every save freezes the server for a moment, and the hitch grows with the entity count, so a busy late wipe server saving every 2 minutes feels stuttery. Saving every 20 minutes means a crash costs 20 minutes of building. We start our servers at 300 seconds and that suits most communities. Do not touch server.tickrate: raising it costs CPU for every player and does not fix lag. More on that in our Rust lag fix.
Gameplay settings
| Convar | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
server.pve |
false | PvE mode. Players cannot damage each other |
server.radiation |
true | Radiation at monuments |
server.stability |
true | Building stability. Off means you can build floating bases |
server.events |
true | Patrol helicopter, airdrops, cargo ship and other events |
server.cycletime |
500 | Length of a day and night cycle in seconds |
server.respawnresetrange |
50 | Metres around your death where bags go on cooldown |
server.meleedamage |
1 | Melee damage multiplier |
server.bulletdamage |
1 | Bullet damage multiplier |
server.arrowdamage |
1 | Arrow damage multiplier |
server.bleedingdamage |
1 | Bleeding damage multiplier |
bradley.enabled |
true | Bradley APC at Launch Site |
ai.npc_enable |
true | Scientist NPCs |
craft.instant |
false | Instant crafting |
chat.localchatrange |
100 | Range of local chat in metres |
A note on server.pve: built in PvE is all or nothing. Servers that want rules, like PvP only in certain zones or no damage to bases, use the True PVE plugin instead, which sets rules per entity type. See our best Rust server plugins.
Decay and upkeep settings
| Convar | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
decay.scale |
1 | Global decay multiplier. 0 turns decay off, 0.5 halves it |
decay.upkeep |
true | Upkeep from the tool cupboard |
decay.upkeep_period_minutes |
1440 | How long the upkeep cost covers (24 hours) |
decay.tick |
600 | Seconds between decay checks |
decay.duration_twig |
1 | Hours for unprotected twig to decay |
decay.duration_wood |
3 | Hours for unprotected wood |
decay.duration_stone |
5 | Hours for unprotected stone |
decay.duration_metal |
8 | Hours for unprotected sheet metal |
decay.duration_toptier |
12 | Hours for unprotected armored |
decay.upkeep_group_scaling |
true | Upkeep cost rises with the number of players authed on the cupboard |
Our advice: leave decay on for anything public. Decay is what clears abandoned bases, and abandoned bases are what make a late wipe lag. For a small friend server where people play twice a week, decay.scale 0.5 is a fair middle ground. decay.scale 0 is only for PvE or build servers with a cleanup plan.
A sensible starting server.cfg
server.hostname "Fresh Rust | Weekly | EU"
server.description "Weekly wipe every Thursday.\nDiscord: discord.gg/yourcode"
server.url "https://discord.gg/yourcode"
server.tags "weekly,vanilla,eu"
server.saveinterval 300
server.idlekick 30
decay.scale 1
Restart the server after editing, or run server.readcfg in the console to load the file without a restart. Some settings, like the map ones, only apply on boot.
How to find any other setting
There are hundreds of convars, and Facepunch adds more most months. To check one, type its name in the console on its own and Rust prints the current value, for example decay.scale. Typing it with a value changes it for this session only, so copy anything you like into server.cfg. Before a big edit, press Backup in the panel so a typo never costs you a wipe. For the commands side of the console, see Rust server console commands.
FAQ
Why are my server.cfg changes not working?
Usually the file is in the wrong identity folder, or the same convar is also set as a launch option. Check the folder name under server/ matches your identity, then make sure the setting is not also on the start line or in the panel settings.
Do I need quotes in server.cfg?
Use quotes for any value with spaces, like server.hostname "My Rust Server". Numbers and single words work without them.
What is the default max players on a Rust server?
It depends on how the server is launched, so set it yourself. On GamezServers it matches your plan: up to 50, 100 or 200 players on the 8, 12 and 16 GB plans.
Can I change settings without restarting?
Most gameplay convars apply as soon as you type them in the console or run server.readcfg. Map settings like server.worldsize and server.seed only apply when the server boots.
What does server.writecfg save?
It writes owners and moderators to users.cfg, bans to bans.cfg and saved convars to serverauto.cfg. It does not rewrite your server.cfg.
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