Check Your NAT Type Instantly
Free online tool to detect your NAT type for gaming (PS5, Xbox, PC) and understand your network connectivity
NAT Type Comparison
| NAT Type | Gaming | VoIP | P2P | PS5 | Xbox | Switch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Internet | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Type 1 | Open | Type A |
| Full Cone NAT | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Type 1 | Open | Type A |
| Restricted Cone NAT | Good | Good | Moderate | Type 2 | Moderate | Type A |
| Port-Restricted Cone NAT | Moderate | Moderate | Poor | Type 2 | Moderate | Type B |
| Symmetric NAT | Poor | Poor | Blocked | Type 3 | Strict | Type C–D |
| Blocked | Poor | Poor | Blocked | Type 3 / Failed | Strict / Unavailable | Type F |
Platform Guides
Learn how to check and improve NAT type on your device
Why Choose Us
Built for gamers and everyday users who want clear, reliable network diagnostics with no setup or sign-up.
Accurate Detection
WebRTC, STUN, and server-assisted connection tests reveal how your network handles real UDP traffic.
How we detect your NAT type
Discover your public mapping
Your browser uses STUN to discover the public IP address and UDP port assigned to its connection.
Test incoming connections
Our server runs staged ICE connection checks to observe whether incoming traffic requires prior contact with its IP address or exact port.
Compare and classify
We compare the STUN mapping with the endpoint observed by our server. Connection outcomes and port changes help distinguish cone NAT behavior from symmetric NAT.
Built on IETF protocols
Protocol details & test limitations
STUN discovers public mappings; ICE checks connectivity. Our test uses these RFC-defined protocols with server-side classification.
Cone and symmetric labels use the historical RFC 3489 terminology. Results describe the tested network path and may be affected by VPNs or firewalls.
Fast Results
NAT 1–4 typically finish in 2–10 seconds. Blocked paths take about 20 seconds.
See detection times
Results appear as each check completes. Typical IPv4 detection times depend on the NAT behavior:
- Full Cone (NAT 1)
- ~2 s
- Restricted (NAT 2)
- ~5 s
- Port-Restricted (NAT 3)
- ~8 s
- Symmetric (NAT 4)
- ~10 s
- Blocked / UDP timeout
- ~20 s
Blocked paths use the full 20-second window to allow connection attempts to finish. Times are approximate; network conditions and the separate IPv6 check can affect total duration.
IPv4/IPv6 Dual-Stack
Separate IPv4 NAT and IPv6 checks, with real external UDP connectivity verification.
How both checks work
IPv4 and IPv6 run as separate checks, so you can see how each network path behaves.
- IPv4 NAT behavior
- Reports your NAT classification and public IPv4 address using STUN and server-assisted connection tests.
- Public IPv6 discovery
- Looks for a global IPv6 address exposed by your browser. Local-only addresses are excluded.
- External IPv6 connectivity
- Our IPv6 server attempts a real WebRTC/UDP connection. An address alone is not treated as proof of connectivity.
“External connectivity not confirmed” means this test path was not established. IPv6 browsing may still work; firewall rules or browser restrictions can affect the result.
Always Free
Free since our launch on July 21, 2025. We have never charged for a NAT test.
What’s included
- No account or sign-up required.
- Runs in your browser, with no software to install.
- NAT classification and IPv6 results are included, with no paid upgrade to view them.
Global Coverage
Reaching visitors across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
- United States
- Brazil
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Indonesia
- India
Languages & traffic source
Our homepages reach visitors across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, including:
Available in 24 languages, on desktop and mobile browsers that support WebRTC.
Countries listed by homepage Google Search clicks, June 30–September 29, 2026. Includes all language versions.
Understanding NAT Types and Their Impact on Online Connectivity
Network Address Translation (NAT) is a fundamental part of how most modern networks connect to the internet. It allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address, conserving IPv4 resources and adding a layer of isolation between internal devices and external networks.
While NAT works transparently for everyday browsing, it plays a much more visible role when applications require direct or semi-direct connections between users. This is especially true for online gaming, voice chat, video calls, and peer-to-peer (P2P) services.
Understanding your NAT type helps explain why some connections work smoothly while others fail or fall back to slower relay paths.
Why NAT Behavior Matters More Than Internet Speed
Connection problems are often blamed on low bandwidth or a weak signal. In reality, a fast internet connection alone does not guarantee reliable real-time connectivity.
NAT controls how inbound traffic is handled and whether external devices can reach your system after an outbound connection is established. If your network restricts incoming responses too aggressively, applications that rely on peer-to-peer communication may struggle to establish or maintain direct connections.
Two users with similar internet speeds can therefore have very different experiences in online games or voice chat—often because of NAT behavior rather than raw bandwidth.
Common NAT Types and What They Mean in Practice
Different networks implement NAT in different ways. These behaviors are commonly grouped into several categories:
This configuration allows external hosts to reach your device once an outbound connection has been made. It provides the fewest restrictions and typically delivers the best experience for gaming and real-time communication.
Incoming connections are limited to external IP addresses that the device has previously contacted. Most applications still function, but some matchmaking or connection attempts may take longer.
Similar to Restricted Cone NAT, but incoming traffic must match both the external IP address and port. This creates more compatibility issues for some P2P applications.
A different external mapping may be used for each destination, while inbound traffic is heavily restricted. This is the most limiting configuration and often prevents direct peer-to-peer connections entirely.
How NAT Type Affects Gaming and Real-Time Applications
Online multiplayer games, voice chat systems, and conferencing tools often attempt to establish direct connections between players or participants to reduce latency and improve quality.
When restrictive NAT prevents a direct connection, traffic may be routed through a relay server. Communication can continue, but the relay may introduce:
In competitive or fast-paced environments, these effects can significantly impact the user experience.
NAT Challenges in Home and ISP Networks
Several common network setups can influence NAT behavior:
When two routers perform NAT, connection rules become more restrictive and harder to manage.
Without automatic port management, applications may not receive the inbound access they expect.
Some internet service providers place customers behind shared NAT infrastructure, limiting inbound connectivity regardless of local router settings.
Aggressive filtering can unintentionally block legitimate inbound traffic or responses.
Identifying your NAT type is the first step in determining whether these factors are affecting your network. Read the CGNAT check guide
Why Detecting NAT Type Is Useful
Knowing your NAT type provides clarity. It helps answer questions such as:
Designed for Clarity, Not Complexity
NAT Checker measures observable network behavior instead of inferring results from router settings. It provides clear, practical results without downloads, an account, or device permissions.
The test uses little data and reports results quickly, so you can check connectivity without disrupting normal use.
A Practical Tool for Everyday Users
Whether you are troubleshooting a game, diagnosing voice chat, or simply learning how your network behaves, your NAT type provides useful context. NAT Checker makes that behavior easier to interpret so you can make better decisions about router settings, hardware, and internet service.
Global Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
You can check your NAT type online with NAT Checker in a WebRTC-enabled browser, without a download or account.
- Connect to the Wi-Fi or wired network you want to test. If you want to check your home connection, disconnect any VPN first. Open natchecker.com on your computer or phone.
- Select “Check My NAT” at the top of the page and keep the page open. Allow up to 20 seconds for the IPv4 NAT test.
- Read the “NAT Type” field: it reports Open Internet, Full Cone NAT, Restricted Cone NAT, Port-Restricted Cone NAT, or Symmetric NAT. Your public IP address appears in the “IPv4” field. IPv6 availability and connectivity are shown separately.
- After changing your router, VPN, or network, select “Test Again” and compare the new result.
If the result says Blocked, the test could not establish its UDP test path. “Not detected yet” or “Detection failed” is not a confirmed NAT classification; run the test again before drawing conclusions.
The result describes the connection from your browser. For PS5, Xbox, or Switch, also run the console’s built-in network test to confirm its platform-specific NAT label.