Port Checker

Check if a network port is open, closed, or filtered on any host.

Common Ports

Understanding Network Ports

Network ports are virtual endpoints that allow different services to communicate over the internet. Each port is identified by a number from 1 to 65535. When you connect to a website, your browser uses port 443 (HTTPS) or 80 (HTTP). Other services use their own designated ports.

Common Port Numbers

PortServiceDescription
20-21FTPFile Transfer Protocol — used for transferring files
22SSHSecure Shell — encrypted remote access
25SMTPSimple Mail Transfer Protocol — sending emails
53DNSDomain Name System — translating domain names
80HTTPHypertext Transfer Protocol — web traffic
443HTTPSSecure HTTP — encrypted web traffic
3306MySQLMySQL database server
3389RDPRemote Desktop Protocol — Windows remote access
5432PostgreSQLPostgreSQL database server
8080HTTP AltAlternative HTTP port — often used for proxies

Port Status Explained

Open: A service is actively listening on this port and accepting connections. This is expected for services you intentionally run (like a web server on port 80/443).

Closed: The port actively rejected the connection. No service is listening, but the host is reachable. This is normal for ports you're not using.

Filtered: No response was received — a firewall or security device is likely blocking traffic to this port. The port's status cannot be determined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a port checker?

A port checker is a tool that tests whether a specific network port on a computer or server is open (accepting connections), closed (rejecting connections), or filtered (blocked by a firewall). It's essential for troubleshooting network connectivity and verifying firewall configurations.

What ports should I check?

Check ports relevant to the services you run. Common ones: 80/443 for web servers, 22 for SSH, 25 for email (SMTP), 3389 for Remote Desktop, 3306 for MySQL, and 8080 for alternate HTTP. If you're troubleshooting a specific service, check the port that service uses.

Why is my port showing as closed?

A port may show as closed because no service is listening on it, your firewall is blocking connections, your ISP blocks the port, your router doesn't have port forwarding configured, or the service isn't running. Check your firewall rules and ensure the service is started.

What is the difference between open, closed, and filtered ports?

An OPEN port has a service actively accepting connections. A CLOSED port is reachable but nothing is listening — the host actively rejects the connection. A FILTERED port gives no response, usually because a firewall is silently dropping packets.

How do I open a port on my router?

Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1), find the "Port Forwarding" section, add a rule specifying the port number, protocol (TCP/UDP), and your device's local IP address. Also add a Windows Firewall or iptables rule to allow traffic on that port.