Palworld: Day & Night Cycle Configuration Guide

Managing day and night cycles on your Palworld dedicated server is crucial for player experience and server quality of life. Unlike single-player where you can sleep to skip time, multiplayer servers require careful time configuration. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of day/night cycle customization, recommended settings for different playstyles, and advanced time management strategies.

Understanding Day/Night Cycle Mechanics

How Time Works in Palworld

The Default System

• Real-Time Ratio: 1 real-world minute = 45 in-game minutes
• Full Cycle: 32 real-world minutes for complete 24-hour day
• Day Duration: ~27 minutes real-time (18 hours in-game)
• Night Duration: ~5 minutes real-time (6 hours in-game)
• Transitions: Dawn and dusk each take ~1-2 minutes

Single-Player vs Multiplayer Differences

Feature	Single-Player	Multiplayer/Dedicated Server
Sleep to Skip Time	✅ Yes (instant)	❌ No (all players must sleep simultaneously)
Custom Day/Night Speed	❌ No	✅ Yes (via server settings)
Individual Time Control	✅ Yes	❌ No
Community-Based Timing	N/A	✅ Yes

Core Configuration Variables

Server Settings Overview

The Two Essential Variables

You need to edit these settings in PalWorldSettings.ini:

DayTimeSpeedRate

• Purpose: Controls how fast daytime progresses
• Type: Multiplier (decimal number)
• Default Value: 1.0 (standard speed)
• Effect: Higher = Faster (shorter day), Lower = Slower (longer day)
• Range: 0.1 to 10.0 (recommended 0.5-2.0)

NightTimeSpeedRate

• Purpose: Controls how fast nighttime progresses
• Type: Multiplier (decimal number)
• Default Value: 1.0 (standard speed)
• Effect: Higher = Faster (shorter night), Lower = Slower (longer night)
• Range: 0.1 to 10.0 (recommended 0.5-2.0)

Recommended Server Configurations

Option A: "The Builder's Paradise"

Option B: "The Balanced Standard"

Option C: "The Hardcore Survival"

Option D: "The PvP Tournament"

Detailed Configuration Reference Tables

Day Speed Multiplier Table

DayTimeSpeedRate Settings:

Setting Value	Real-Time Duration	In-Game Hours	Best Use Case
0.1	270 minutes (4.5 hours)	~4.5 hours	Ultra-long building sessions
0.3	89 minutes	~2.5 hours	Extended building time
0.5	54 minutes	~1.5 hours	Standard extended day
1.0	27 minutes	~1 hour	Default (Vanilla)
2.0	13.5 minutes	~45 minutes	Fast-paced play
5.0	5.4 minutes	~18 minutes	Very fast progression

Night Speed Multiplier Table

NightTimeSpeedRate Settings:

Setting Value	Real-Time Duration	In-Game Hours	Best Use Case
0.1	50 minutes	~2 hours	Extended night hunting
0.5	10 minutes	~24 minutes	Night-focused survival
1.0	5 minutes	~6 hours	Default (Vanilla)
2.0	2.5 minutes	~3 hours	Reduced night disruption
5.0	1 minute	~1 hour	Minimal night time
10.0	30 seconds	~12 minutes	Blink-and-miss night

Implementing Time Configuration

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Access Server Settings

1. Log into your server control panel
2. Navigate to Basic Server Settings or Configuration
3. Locate the PalWorldSettings.ini editor
4. Alternatively, access via File Manager in /Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/

Step 2: Locate Time Settings

1. Scroll down to find OptionSettings section
2. Use CTRL+F to search for "DayTimeSpeedRate"
3. Find both DayTimeSpeedRate and NightTimeSpeedRate
4. Note the default values (typically 1.0, 1.0)

Step 3: Configure Your Settings

Replace the default values with your chosen configuration:

# Example: Builder's Paradise Configuration
OptionSettings=(
    ...
    DayTimeSpeedRate=0.3,
    NightTimeSpeedRate=5.0,
    ...
)

# Example: Balanced Standard Configuration
OptionSettings=(
    ...
    DayTimeSpeedRate=0.5,
    NightTimeSpeedRate=2.0,
    ...
)

# Example: Hardcore Survival Configuration
OptionSettings=(
    ...
    DayTimeSpeedRate=1.0,
    NightTimeSpeedRate=1.0,
    ...
)

Step 4: Apply Changes

1. Save the configuration file
2. Restart your server to apply changes
3. Verify timing matches your intended configuration
4. Communicate changes to your community

Advanced Time Management

Troubleshooting Time Settings

Important Warnings & Limitations

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different day/night speeds for individual players?

No, DayTimeSpeedRate and NightTimeSpeedRate are server-wide settings that affect all players equally.

How do players skip night if they can't sleep?

On multiplayer servers, players must either: - Wait out the night at their base - Engage in nighttime activities (mining, crafting) - Play on a server with shortened nights via configuration

What happens if I set DayTimeSpeedRate to 0?

This will break the game time system entirely. Never set time multipliers to 0. Use 0.1-0.3 for very slow progression.

Can I change settings without restarting the server?

No, time configuration changes require a full server restart to take effect. Always restart after editing PalWorldSettings.ini.

Do different biomes affect day/night cycle length?

No, day and night cycle is server-wide and applies equally to all biomes. Biome temperature doesn't affect time progression.

What's the most popular configuration?

Most servers use "Balanced Standard" (Day: 0.5, Night: 2.0) which provides 54-minute days with 2.5-minute nights.

How do I coordinate sleep time on multiplayer?

All players must be in beds simultaneously to skip time. This is rare on busy servers. Most admins adjust NightTimeSpeedRate instead.

Related Guides

• Complete Server Configuration Guide
• Palworld Sleep System Explained
• Difficulty & Challenge Settings
• Running a Palworld Community

Recommended Settings

Option A: "The Builder's Paradise" (Long Days, Short Nights)

Perfect for servers focused on base building who hate working in the dark.

• DayTimeSpeedRate=0.5 (Double Day Length: ~54 mins)
• NightTimeSpeedRate=2.0 (Half Night Length: ~2.5 mins)

Option B: "The Hardcore Survival" (Balanced)

For players who want Night raids and nocturnal Pal hunting to be a real threat.

• DayTimeSpeedRate=1.0 (Standard ~27 mins)
• NightTimeSpeedRate=1.0 (Standard ~5 mins)

Reference Tables

Day Speed (DayTimeSpeedRate)

Value	Real Time Duration
0.1	270 minutes (4.5 Hours)
0.5	54 minutes
1.0 (Default)	27 minutes
2.0	13.5 minutes
5.0	5.4 minutes

Night Speed (NightTimeSpeedRate)

Value	Real Time Duration
0.1	50 minutes
0.5	10 minutes
1.0 (Default)	5 minutes
2.0	2.5 minutes
5.0	1 minute (Blink and you miss it)

Control the sun. Host your Palworld server with Supercraft and easily toggle the day/night cycle specific to your community's needs.