---
title: How to Join a s&box Server
description: Learn how to quickly join an s&box dedicated server. This guide covers connecting via the in-game server browser and using direct connect console commands.
source: "https://nodecraft.com/support/games/sbox/how-to-join-a-s-box-server"
image: "https://dynamic-assets.nodecraft.com/signedurl/w7vokBAexMnVlnMZ1Q/image.jpg?modifications=W3sibmFtZSI6ImdhbWVfYmciLCJpbWFnZV91cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Ntcy1hLm5vZGVjcmFmdC5jb20vZi8xMzM5MzIvMjAwMHg1NTAvZDFjNzE2OTVlNC9zLWJveC1iYW5uZXIucG5nL20vIn0seyJuYW1lIjoiZ2FtZV9sb2dvIiwiaW1hZ2VfdXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9jbXMtYS5ub2RlY3JhZnQuY29tL2YvMTMzOTMyLzM3NXgxNTAvOGE5ODhlNzViMi9zYm94LXdoaXRlLWxvZ28ucG5nL20vIn0seyJuYW1lIjoiY3RhX3RleHQiLCJ0ZXh0IjoiQ3JlYXRlIHlvdXIgb3duIHNlcnZlciEifSx7Im5hbWUiOiJ0ZXh0IiwidGV4dCI6IkhvdyB0byBKb2luIGEgcyZib3ggU2VydmVyIn1d&s=1e042b0b62231716cfc299857d500731e674b5d7d30fcdb343dbece6112b6d7d"
published: "2026-04-28T19:16:23.647Z"
updated: "2026-04-28T19:16:23.647Z"
---

# How to Join a s&box Server

Learn how to quickly join an s&box dedicated server. This guide covers connecting via the in-game server browser and using direct connect console commands.

Ready to play? This guide covers the two quickest ways to join your **s&box** dedicated server: using the in-game server browser or connecting directly via the console.

## Connect via the In-Game Server Browser

1. Ensure your** server is online**, and you've given it a recognisable name in the configuration settings.

  ![A screenshot of the Nodecraft control panel's Game Settings page for an s&box server, with a red box highlighting the "Server Name" input field where users can customize their server's hostname.](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/2856x1616/6212e71fac/nodecraft-sbox-game-settings-server-name.png/m/)
2. **Launch **s&box.
3. Click **Servers**.
4. **Enter your server name **into the** Search bar** on the left, NOT the search on the top which is to filter the list to a specific game.
5. Click on the filters "Show Empty" and "Show Full" if needed.
6. **Join your server by clicking on the icon to the right of it's name.**  
  ![A screenshot of the s&box in-game server browser with the search bar at the top highlighted in a red box, showing how to filter for specific community servers.](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/3840x2088/a53d845732/sbox-ingame-server-browser-search-filter.png/m/)

## Connect via the In-Game Console

1. Log in to your Nodecraft **dashboard**.
2. Navigate to your s&box server.
3. Open the s&box** server control panel**.
4. In the **Overview section**, locate the **Numeric IP** in the **Server Information** block.
5. **Copy** the IP to paste into the game next.

  ![A screenshot of the Nodecraft control panel Overview page for an s&box server, with red boxes highlighting the Overview menu option and the Dedicated IP Address field.](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/2856x1616/8e8a26be12/nodecraft-sbox-server-overview-ip-address.png/m/)
6. **Launch** s&box.
7. Press the **Grave **```** key **(usually located to the left of your 1 key) to open the console overlay.

  1. **Note:** If the console overlaydoesn't open when pressing the \` key, ensure the Console Overlay is enabled in the s&box keyboard settings. ![menu showing the developer settings in s&box with the console overlay setting toggled to on and highlighting the save changes button.](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/1526x1170/49418315bc/sbox-console-overlay.png/m/)
8. Type `connect [Your-IP-Address]` and press **Enter**.  
  ![A screenshot of the s&box in-game console window showing the direct connect command entered at the bottom to join a dedicated server via IP address.](https://cms-a.nodecraft.com/f/133932/3840x2088/0a0f6562f1/sbox-console-direct-connect-command.png/m/)
9. Click **Enter**.

## Troubleshooting Tips

Ensure your server is running and displays 'Online' in green on the panel.

## Conclusion

Now that you've learned how to join your server, have fun playing.