TwistedNET

What Is IRC? Internet Relay Chat Explained

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is an open protocol for real-time text chat, created in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen at the University of Oulu in Finland. People connect with an IRC client to a network of servers, then join channels — chat rooms whose names start with # — to talk in groups or send private messages. IRC is free, needs no account, works on almost any device and is still used today by open-source projects, tech communities and privacy-minded people.

How IRC works

// the five things you need to know

Term What it means Example
Network A group of linked servers sharing the same users and channels TwistedNET, Libera.Chat
Server The address your client connects to irc.twistednet.org
Channel A chat room, always starting with # #twisted
Nickname Your name on the network; register it to keep it /nick yourname
Client The app you chat with — desktop, terminal, mobile or web HexChat, WeeChat, web IRC

When you send a message to a channel, your client passes it to the server, and the network relays it to everyone else in that channel — hence the name relay chat. Channels have operators (ops) who moderate them, and most networks run services such as NickServ (to register nicknames) and ChanServ (to register channels).

How to use IRC: a beginner’s guide

// from zero to chatting in five steps

  1. Pick a network. Each network has its own communities. See our list of IRC networks, or just try TwistedNET.
  2. Get a client — or skip it. The quickest start is web IRC in your browser. For more features install a desktop or terminal client such as HexChat, mIRC, WeeChat or Irssi.
  3. Connect. Point your client at the server, for example irc.twistednet.org on port 6697 with SSL/TLS turned on.
  4. Join a channel. Type /join #twisted. Use /list to see other channels.
  5. Register your nickname (optional). Type /msg NickServ REGISTER password email so nobody else can use your name.

Learn more commands in our IRC commands cheat sheet.

Is IRC still used in 2026?

// yes — and here is who uses it

IRC is much smaller than in its 1990s heyday, but it never went away. Thousands of open-source projects coordinate on networks like Libera.Chat and OFTC. Developers, sysadmins and security researchers use it because it is lightweight, scriptable and not owned by any company. And privacy-focused networks like TwistedNET attract people who want chat without accounts, tracking or stored message history. Read the full history of IRC for the whole story.

IRC vs Discord and Slack

// the short version

IRC Discord / Slack
Account required No Yes
Owned by Nobody — open protocol A single company
Choice of app Dozens of clients The official app
Message history Not stored by most networks (zero logs on TwistedNET) Stored on the company’s servers
Voice and video No (text only) Yes
Self-hosting Yes No

For a detailed comparison see IRC vs Discord vs Slack or IRC as a Discord alternative.

Is IRC safe?

// stay private with three habits

  • Use TLS. Connect on port 6697 with SSL/TLS so your traffic is encrypted.
  • Choose a no-logs network. TwistedNET does not store messages, track users or sell data.
  • Hide your IP if it matters. Connect over Tor — see IRC over Tor — or use a network that cloaks your hostname.

As on any public chat, don’t share personal information with strangers, and be careful with files or links you are sent. More in Securing your IRC connection.

IRC FAQ

What does IRC stand for?

IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat.

Who invented IRC?

Jarkko Oikarinen created IRC in August 1988 while working at the University of Oulu in Finland.

Is IRC free?

Yes. The protocol is open, most clients are free, and public networks such as TwistedNET cost nothing to use.

Do I need to download anything to use IRC?

No. You can use web IRC in your browser. Installing a client is optional and adds features like scripting and multiple networks.

What port does IRC use?

Port 6697 is the standard for encrypted SSL/TLS connections and is recommended. Port 6667 is the traditional unencrypted port.

Can I use IRC on my phone?

Yes. Use web IRC in your mobile browser, or an always-on client such as CryptIRC that keeps you connected and replays what you missed.

Try IRC now

Connect to irc.twistednet.org on port 6697 (SSL/TLS), or open TwistedNET Web Chat and join #twisted — no sign-up needed.