Check My NAT — NAT Type Checker For Gaming
Free online NAT type checker for gaming. Instantly detect your IPv4 NAT type, public IP address, and IPv6 reachability. Works for PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC — no downloads, no setup.
What This NAT Type Checker Tells You
This free online NAT test checks your IPv4 NAT type, public IP address, NAT status, and IPv6 availability and reachability. It classifies your network as Full Cone (Open), Restricted (Moderate), Port Restricted, or Symmetric (Strict) NAT — the same underlying behavior that determines your gaming experience across PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC.
A fast internet connection doesn't guarantee smooth online gaming. Two players with identical speeds can have completely different experiences — one hosts lobbies seamlessly while the other struggles to join. The difference is NAT behavior. This checker reveals whether your network supports direct peer connections or forces traffic through slower relay servers that add latency and reduce connection quality.
What is NAT?
Network Address Translation (NAT) lets multiple devices share a single public IP address by rewriting packet source and destination details as traffic crosses your router. It conserves IPv4 addresses and adds a layer of isolation, but also introduces translation rules that determine whether outside peers can establish direct connections to your device.
While NAT works transparently for web browsing and streaming, it plays a critical role in peer-to-peer applications like online gaming, voice chat, and video calls. Understanding your NAT type explains why some multiplayer sessions connect instantly while others lag or fail entirely — even when your download speed tests look perfect (RFC 3489).
NAT Types Explained
Open / Full Cone NAT
Any external address and port can reach you once an outbound connection is made. Ports stay consistent and return traffic flows freely.
Best for: competitive gaming, hosting lobbies, VoIP, P2P file sharing
Moderate / Restricted NAT
Only previously contacted external IPs can connect back. Ports are translated but replies matching your outbound mapping are allowed.
Best for: casual gaming, most multiplayer with STUN/TURN assistance
Port Restricted NAT
Both the external IP and port must match the previous outbound connection. More restrictive than Restricted Cone, causing P2P compatibility issues.
Common in home networks; may need port forwarding for some games
Strict / Symmetric NAT
Every destination gets a unique port mapping. External peers cannot connect unless you contacted them first, making hole-punching unreliable.
Issues with: multiplayer hosting, party chat, some game matchmaking, P2P apps
Console NAT Labels vs. Real NAT Behavior
Consoles use simplified labels: PS5 shows Type 1 (Open), Type 2 (Moderate), Type 3 (Strict). Xbox shows Open, Moderate, Strict. Nintendo Switch uses Type A through F. These labels describe connectivity within each console ecosystem, while this tool reports your actual underlying NAT behavior — giving you a platform-independent result you can use to troubleshoot any device.
Why NAT Type Matters For Gaming
Online multiplayer games, party chat, and voice apps attempt to establish direct peer-to-peer connections to reduce latency and improve quality. When direct connections are blocked by restrictive NAT, traffic must be routed through relay servers (TURN), which introduces:
- Higher latency — relay servers add extra hops and delay
- Longer matchmaking — the game engine must find players with compatible NAT
- Dropped party chat — voice connections may fail or fall back to lower quality
- Cannot host lobbies — strict NAT prevents inbound peer connections entirely
- Inconsistent performance — some sessions work fine, others fail unpredictably
Competitive players and streamers targeting games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Valorant, and EA FC benefit significantly from Open NAT, where direct connections minimize latency and improve hit registration. This checker helps you identify whether NAT is the bottleneck before you invest in faster internet or new hardware.
How to Improve Your NAT Type
Eliminate Double NAT
Put your ISP modem in bridge or passthrough mode so only one device handles NAT. Two routers in sequence multiply restrictions.
Enable UPnP
Universal Plug and Play lets applications automatically request port openings. Enable it in your router settings for supported games and consoles.
Forward Game Ports
Assign a static LAN IP to your console or PC, then forward the specific UDP/TCP ports your game requires. Check official game documentation for port lists.
Check for CGNAT
If your router's WAN IP differs from your public IP (shown by this tool), you are behind carrier-grade NAT. Ask your ISP for a public IPv4 or static IP.
Use DMZ or Exposed Host
Place one trusted device in your router's DMZ to avoid double translation. Use cautiously — the device becomes more exposed to the internet.
Enable IPv6
Many modern games establish peer connections over IPv6, bypassing IPv4 NAT entirely. Enable it on your router when your ISP supports it.
How to Change NAT Type on Your Platform
PlayStation 5
Go to Settings → Network → View Connection Status. PS5 labels NAT as Type 1 (connected directly to internet), Type 2 (behind a router — typical home setup), or Type 3 (restricted). Enable UPnP or forward ports 1935, 3074, 3478-3480 (TCP/UDP) to get Type 2 or better.
Xbox Series X/S & Xbox One
Go to Profile & System → Settings → General → Network settings → Test NAT type. Xbox reports Open, Moderate, or Strict. Forward port 3074 (TCP/UDP) and enable UPnP for Open NAT. If it stays Strict, check for double NAT in your network path.
Nintendo Switch
Go to System Settings → Internet → Test Connection. Switch uses NAT Types A through F, where A is best and F is most restricted. Forward UDP ports 1-65535 to your Switch's static IP for Type A NAT, or enable UPnP for automatic improvement.
Windows PC
Check NAT via Xbox Networking (Settings → Gaming → Xbox Networking) or any game's network status screen. The server connectivity status shows NAT type indirectly. Run this online checker for a detailed STUN-based result. Enable UPnP on your router or manually forward game-specific ports.
Command-Line Checks for NAT Issues
Use these quick probes to detect double NAT, confirm your public IP, and verify that a port forward is reachable. Replace <your-public-ip> and <forwarded-port> with your details.
Run these in PowerShell to spot double NAT and test a forwarded port.
ipconfig | findstr /R "Default Gateway"
tracert -d 1.1.1.1
(Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://ifconfig.me).Trim()
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName <your-public-ip> -Port <forwarded-port>
tracert 1.1.1.1 | findstr /R "192.168 10\. 172\."
Use Terminal to see your route and confirm an open port after forwarding.
route get 1.1.1.1 | grep gateway
traceroute -n 1.1.1.1 | head -n 5
curl -4 -s https://ifconfig.me
nc -vz <your-public-ip> <forwarded-port>
traceroute 1.1.1.1 | grep -E "192.168|10\.|172\.(1[6-9]|2[0-9]|3[0-1])\."
Use these commands to check routing, public IP, and port connectivity.
ip route get 1.1.1.1 | head -n 1
tracepath -n 1.1.1.1 | head -n 5
curl -4 -s https://ifconfig.me
nc -vz <your-public-ip> <forwarded-port>
tracepath 1.1.1.1 | grep -E "192.168|10\.|172\.(1[6-9]|2[0-9]|3[0-1])\."
NAT Type FAQs
What does this NAT test check?
This free online NAT test checks your IPv4 NAT type, public IP address, NAT status, and IPv6 availability and reachability. It works as a NAT type checker for gaming, P2P, voice chat, and general network troubleshooting. The test uses WebRTC STUN servers to observe how your network handles inbound connections — giving you a real classification of Full Cone, Restricted, Port Restricted, or Symmetric NAT.
What is my NAT type?
Your NAT type describes how your router or ISP translates and filters traffic between your private network and the public internet. Most home networks show Restricted or Port Restricted NAT, while users behind CGNAT or strict firewalls may see Symmetric NAT. Open/Full Cone NAT is the ideal result for gaming and peer-to-peer apps.
Is my NAT open for gaming?
An Open NAT (Full Cone) means external peers can reach you freely once a connection is initiated — ideal for gaming lobbies, party chat, and hosting. If your result shows Moderate or Strict, matchmaking may take longer, voice chat can drop, and you may not be able to host sessions. Run the test above to check instantly.
How to check NAT type on PS5, Xbox, or Switch?
On PS5 go to Settings → Network → Test Internet Connection. On Xbox navigate to Profile & System → Settings → General → Network settings → Test NAT type. On Nintendo Switch go to System Settings → Internet → Test Connection. Consoles label NAT differently: PS5 shows Type 1/2/3, Xbox shows Open/Moderate/Strict, and Switch shows Type A through F. This online checker reports the underlying NAT behavior for any device on your network.
How to change NAT type or fix strict NAT?
To improve your NAT type: reduce double NAT by putting ISP modems in bridge mode, enable UPnP on your router, forward the required UDP/TCP ports for your game or console, assign a static local IP to your device, and check whether your ISP uses CGNAT. In some cases you need a public IPv4 address, IPv6 connectivity, or a VPN with port forwarding to achieve an open NAT result.
Can CGNAT cause strict NAT?
Yes. Carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT) means your ISP shares one public IPv4 address across many customers. This imposes Symmetric or Blocked NAT behavior that local router changes cannot fix. If you suspect CGNAT, compare your router's WAN IP with what our tool reports as your public IP — if they differ, you are behind ISP-level NAT and may need a static IP, IPv6, or a VPN with dedicated port forwarding.
Does double NAT affect gaming?
Yes. Double NAT occurs when traffic passes through two routing devices (e.g., ISP modem + home router), each performing address translation. This often causes Moderate or Strict NAT results, making peer-to-peer gaming, party chat, and port forwarding unreliable. Eliminate it by placing your ISP modem in bridge mode so only your main router handles NAT.