Forge 1.20.3 Server Download

Also known as MinecraftForge.

Official source

Forge 49.0.2 is the newest Forge build for Minecraft 1.20.3, installed on a server with the official installer (forge-1.20.3-49.0.2-installer.jar). It requires Java 17 or newer.

Download

Download installer (forge-1.20.3-49.0.2-installer.jar)5.2 MB

Downloads from maven.minecraftforge.net — Official — MinecraftForge.

SHA-256 · published by MinecraftForge: 8c6e5fcb9181259d0354bc555a13e09b212df0a5f33b2c06eb73a4cad74e6d9f
SHA-1 · published by MinecraftForge: 652287f19aed44ad920631c6a62a9a3ffe62fb87

How to verify this file on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Source: Official — MinecraftForge SHA-256 shown below Last checked: 28 Oct 2026, 12:47 UTC Report a problem

Version facts

Minecraft release date	4 Dec 2023
Installer file date	7 Dec 2023
Forge version	49.0.2
Channel	Release
Required Java	Java 17 or newer · Temurin 17
File size	5.2 MB
Licence / terms	see upstream
Upstream project	files.minecraftforge.net

What changed

Official Forge changelog (49.0.2) What's new in Minecraft 1.20.3 (Minecraft Wiki)

Compatibility

Loads Forge mods built for Minecraft 1.20.3 (put them in mods/).

Players need a Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.3 client on the same version.

Minecraft 1.20.3 in other server software

Vanilla Spigot Fabric Quilt NeoForge

Other Minecraft 1.20.3 server jars (Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge…)

Known issues & safety notes

Back up your world before changing versions: worlds upgrade automatically on start and cannot be downgraded.
Known issues: search Forge's issue tracker for 1.20.3

How to set up Forge 1.20.3

Install Java 17 or newer (e.g. Eclipse Temurin) and check it with java -version.
Download the official installer forge-1.20.3-49.0.2-installer.jar into an empty folder.
Run java -jar forge-1.20.3-49.0.2-installer.jar --installServer. It downloads the Minecraft server and libraries into the folder.
Start the server with the generated run.sh (Linux/macOS) or run.bat (Windows). Set memory in user_jvm_args.txt, e.g. -Xmx6G.
Accept Mojang's EULA in eula.txt (eula=true), start again, and put mods into mods/.
You can delete the installer and installer.log afterwards.

Modded servers need more memory: 6–8 GB for a light modpack, 8–12 GB or more for large packs. Leave 1–1.5 GB for the operating system. How much RAM?

Docker

docker run -d -p 25565:25565 -e EULA=TRUE -e TYPE=FORGE -e VERSION=1.20.3 --name mc itzg/minecraft-server

Uses the community itzg/minecraft-server image, which downloads the file itself.

Upgrading

FAQ

What Java version does Forge 1.20.3 need?

Forge 1.20.3 needs Java 17 or newer. Running it on an older Java fails with an UnsupportedClassVersionError mentioning class file version 61.0.

Can 1.20 clients join a 1.20.3 server?

Only if both use the same network protocol, which is not guaranteed between patch releases. Players should use the same version as the server; plugins like ViaVersion (and ViaBackwards for older clients) can bridge versions on plugin servers.

Is the Forge installer the server jar?

No. The installer (forge-1.20.3-49.0.2-installer.jar) sets up the server: run it with --installServer, then start the server with run.sh or run.bat.