If you have ever tried to join an online game lobby and been told your NAT type is "strict," you know the frustration that comes with it. Friends cannot connect, voice chat drops, and matchmaking takes forever. But what does NAT type actually mean, and why does it have such a big impact on your online experience? This guide explains the three NAT types, how they work, and what you can do to change yours.

What is NAT?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation. It is a process performed by your router that allows multiple devices on your local network to share a single public IP address when communicating with the internet.

Here is the problem NAT solves: there are only about 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses available, but billions more devices need internet access. NAT allows your router to assign private IP addresses (like 192.168.1.x) to all your local devices and then translate those private addresses into a single public IP address for outbound traffic. When responses come back, the router remembers which internal device made the request and forwards the data accordingly.

This translation layer is what creates the concept of NAT types. The way your router handles incoming connection requests from the outside determines how open or restricted your network is.

The Three NAT Types

NAT types are commonly categorized into three levels. Different platforms use different naming conventions, but the underlying behavior is the same.

Open NAT (Type 1)

Open NAT is the least restrictive configuration. Your device can communicate freely with any other device on the internet, regardless of their NAT type. Incoming connection requests are allowed through with minimal filtering.

What it means in practice:

  • You can connect to players with any NAT type in online games
  • You can host game lobbies and act as a server
  • Voice chat and peer-to-peer connections work without issues
  • Matchmaking is fast and reliable

How it is achieved: Open NAT typically results from placing your device in the router's DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), connecting directly to a modem without a router, or performing extensive port forwarding for all required ports.

The trade-off: Open NAT offers the weakest security posture. By allowing unsolicited incoming traffic, your device is more exposed to potential network-based attacks. For most users, this is an acceptable risk on gaming consoles, but it should be carefully considered on devices that store sensitive data.

Moderate NAT (Type 2)

Moderate NAT strikes a balance between connectivity and security. It is the most common configuration for home networks where a router is properly set up with either UPnP enabled or partial port forwarding configured.

What it means in practice:

  • You can connect to players with Open or Moderate NAT
  • You may have difficulty connecting to players with Strict NAT
  • Hosting game lobbies may not always work
  • Most online features function normally, though occasional lag or connection issues can occur

How it is achieved: Moderate NAT is the default when your router correctly handles UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) requests or when you have forwarded some but not all of the required ports for a given application.

The trade-off: Moderate NAT provides a reasonable level of security while keeping most online services functional. It is the recommended configuration for the majority of home users who want a good online experience without disabling their router's firewall protections.

Strict NAT (Type 3)

Strict NAT is the most restrictive type. Your router blocks most unsolicited incoming connections, severely limiting peer-to-peer communication.

What it means in practice:

  • You can only connect to players with Open NAT
  • You cannot host game lobbies
  • Voice chat frequently fails or has poor quality
  • Matchmaking is slow and unreliable, with frequent disconnections
  • Streaming and video calls may buffer or drop

Why it happens: Strict NAT occurs when port forwarding is not configured, UPnP is disabled or malfunctioning, the router's firewall is set to maximum restriction, or you are behind a double NAT (two routers performing address translation in sequence). It can also result from Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT), where your ISP itself performs NAT before traffic even reaches your router, giving you limited control over the situation.

The trade-off: While strict NAT provides the strongest security, it makes many real-time online services nearly unusable.

NAT Type Compatibility

Understanding which NAT types can communicate with each other is key to diagnosing connectivity problems:

  • Open + Open — Full connectivity
  • Open + Moderate — Full connectivity
  • Open + Strict — Full connectivity
  • Moderate + Moderate — Full connectivity
  • Moderate + Strict — Limited or no connectivity
  • Strict + Strict — No connectivity

This is why Strict NAT causes the most problems. The only users you can reliably connect to are those with Open NAT, which is the least common configuration.

How to Check Your NAT Type

Most gaming consoles and some PC games display your NAT type directly in network settings. On PlayStation, go to Settings, then Network, then View Connection Status. On Xbox, go to Settings, then General, then Network Settings. The NAT type will be displayed as Open, Moderate, or Strict.

For a broader view of your network configuration, tools like our What is My IP checker and Port Checker can help you determine whether your public IP is directly assigned and whether the necessary ports are accessible from the outside.

How to Change Your NAT Type

If you are stuck on Strict or Moderate NAT and want to open it up, here are the most common approaches:

Enable UPnP

UPnP allows devices on your network to automatically request port openings from the router. Most modern routers support it, and enabling it is often enough to move from Strict to Moderate or even Open NAT. Look for it in your router's admin panel under the NAT or firewall settings.

Set Up Port Forwarding

If UPnP is unreliable or unavailable, manual port forwarding lets you specify exactly which ports should be open and which internal device they should point to. The specific ports you need depend on the game or application. For example, many PlayStation Network services use TCP port 3478-3480 and UDP port 3074.

Use a DMZ

Placing your console or device in the router's DMZ effectively opens all ports for that device, guaranteeing Open NAT. This should only be used for devices that do not store sensitive data, as it bypasses all firewall protections.

Check for Double NAT

If you have two routers in your network path, such as an ISP-provided modem that also acts as a router plus your own personal router, you may be experiencing double NAT. The fix is to put the first device into bridge mode so that only your personal router performs NAT.

Contact Your ISP About CGNAT

If your ISP uses Carrier-Grade NAT, your options are limited because the NAT is happening upstream before traffic reaches your home. Some ISPs will assign you a dedicated public IP address upon request, which resolves CGNAT-related NAT issues.

Security vs. Connectivity

NAT type is fundamentally a trade-off between security and accessibility. Open NAT prioritizes connectivity at the expense of firewall protection, while Strict NAT prioritizes security at the expense of usability. For most home users, Moderate NAT with UPnP enabled provides the best balance.

If you are concerned about your network security regardless of your NAT configuration, regularly testing your connection with tools like our VPN Tester and IP Blacklist Checker is a good practice.

Conclusion

NAT types control how freely your devices can communicate with the outside world. Open NAT provides the best experience for gaming and real-time communication but comes with security trade-offs. Moderate NAT is the sensible default for most households. Strict NAT offers maximum protection but cripples peer-to-peer connectivity. Understanding which type you have and knowing how to adjust it empowers you to optimize your network for whatever matters most to you.