How to use the common network ports list
- Type in the search box a port number such as 443 or a name such as mail or database.
- Use the transport menu to show only TCP or only UDP ports. Services that use both appear under either choice.
- Read the table: the port, the transport, the service and what it is used for.
- Copy the shown list or download it as a CSV file for notes or a document.
What a port number is
An address on the network picks out a computer, and a port number picks out a service on that computer. When your browser loads a page over HTTPS, it connects to port 443 on the server, and a mail client sending a message connects to port 587. Port numbers run from 0 to 65535. The low numbers up to 1023 are the well-known ports given to common services such as SSH on 22 and HTTP on 80, and higher numbers are used for registered services such as databases and for temporary connections.
To work with addresses and networks, the Subnet Calculator splits a network into ranges, and the IP Address Format Converter changes how an address is written.
Reading the list with care
The list shows the transport each service is registered or most widely used on. DNS and NTP are examples that behave differently: DNS uses both UDP and TCP on port 53, and NTP uses UDP on port 123. A number alone does not prove what is running, because any program can listen on any port, and a service can be moved to another port. For example, 8080 and 8443 are common alternates for web servers, but nothing requires it.
Opening a port to the internet exposes the service behind it to everyone, so open only what you need, keep the software up to date and use encrypted versions such as SSH instead of Telnet. For lists of network hardware addresses, the MAC Address Formatter cleans them up, and the Compare Two Lists tool shows what differs between two lists, such as the ports open on two machines.
Assumptions and limits
- The list is built into the page and covers the ports people meet most, not every registered port.
- The transport is the one a service is registered for or widely uses. Some services use more than one.
- No scan is made and nothing about your network is checked or sent.
- The search matches the start of a port number or any part of a name or description.
Frequently asked questions
What port does SSH use?
SSH uses TCP port 22. Secure copy and SFTP use it too. Telnet, an older unencrypted terminal, uses port 23.
What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
TCP sets up a connection and makes sure data arrives in order, which suits web pages and mail. UDP sends packets without a connection, which suits lookups, time sync and streaming where speed matters more.
Why does HTTPS use port 443?
Port 443 is the standard registered port for web traffic over TLS. Browsers use it by default when a link begins with https, so you do not need to type it.
Does this list show which ports are open on my computer?
No. It is only a reference list. Nothing on your device or network is scanned or tested.