How do I tell server lag (TPS/MSPT) from ping lag?

Two completely different things get called "lag," and telling them apart saves you from chasing the wrong fix. One is the server struggling to keep up (TPS/MSPT); the other is your network connection to the server (ping).

Server lag: TPS and MSPT

TPS (ticks per second) and MSPT (milliseconds per tick) measure how well the server keeps up with its own work. 20 TPS is perfect; anything below about 18 is genuine server lag, and it affects everyone on the server at once. Check it with /spark tps or /tps.

Ping lag

Ping is your network latency to the server. High ping affects only you (or players who are far away) and shows up as delayed actions — even when the server's TPS is a perfect 20.

How to tell which you have

1. Run /spark tps (or /tps) and read the TPS.
2. If TPS is low, it's the server — investigate CPU, RAM, or heavy content.
3. If TPS is fine but you still feel lag, it's ping — a region/distance issue.

Tip: If TPS is 20 and only distant players struggle, don't touch server settings — the answer is choosing a region closer to your players.

Frequently asked questions

What TPS counts as lag? 20 is perfect. Below roughly 18 is server lag affecting everyone.

Can upgrading my plan fix ping? No. Ping is network distance, so a bigger plan won't change it — picking the nearer region does.