# What is NAT?

Network address translation changes address information as traffic passes between networks.

Website: https://zenshield.com/glossary/nat

Canonical URL: https://zenshield.com/glossary/nat

Page reviewed: 2026-09-09

Network address translation changes address information as traffic passes between networks. On many home IPv4 networks, a router lets devices with local addresses communicate through a public-facing address. Translation is part of the route, not a description of which person is using the connection.

## A practical example

Two laptops on the same Wi-Fi may appear to a website through the same public IPv4 address. Each can still have its own local address. A public-IP lookup therefore does not necessarily distinguish individual devices behind that router.

## What to check

If a game or application reports a NAT-related problem, copy the exact status and the task that fails. Establish whether ordinary browsing works and whether the device is behind a router or hotspot you control. Ask the network owner or service provider about the supported setup before changing inbound rules.

## What it does not tell you

NAT is not a synonym for a VPN, encryption or anonymity. Do not enable broad port forwarding to fix an unexplained error. A problem involving incoming connections needs more specific diagnosis than a successful outbound website check provides.

Read the [technical reference](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/NAT) for the underlying definition. For a connection that is failing now, use the [troubleshooting guide](https://zenshield.com/help/connection-problems). To choose an app, follow the [VPN selection worksheet](https://zenshield.com/learn/choosing-a-vpn).

## Sources
- https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/NAT