Unique free IRC client (Internet Relay Chat) to chat in any IRC room on engineering, innovation product development, or get advice on any topic. Except for bots, you usually find passionate people ready to help. No installation is needed. Select one of the networks, provide your pseudo and enter a room. We have some room suggestions for design and innovation topics, but once entered, use the room tab to search for any other room or topic.
What is IRC: IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a real-time text-based Internet chat. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-on-one communication via private message and chat and data transfer, including file sharing. Developed in the late 1980s by Jarkko Oikarinen, IRC was designed to facilitate group discussions and private conversations over the internet. It operates on a client-server model, where users connect to servers and join channels, or chat rooms, to engage with others. Despite its simple text-based interface, IRC became immensely popular due to its ability to support large numbers of users and its flexibility in creating diverse chat environments. IRC’s open protocol encouraged a community-driven approach, leading to the establishment of various networks and the development of numerous client applications. While modern communication tools have largely overshadowed IRC, it remains a beloved tool among certain communities for its lightweight, no-frills approach to chatting and its enduring sense of nostalgia for the early days of the internet (IRC history).
What is an IRC Client: An IRC client is software that allows users to connect to an IRC network and communicate with other users in real-time. It provides features such as private messaging, file sharing, and chatroom creation. IRC clients are available for various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices, but also, as the ones below, web-hosted, thus requiring no local installation for the user.

Note #1: the tools below allow one network per IRC client; use the menu on the right or scroll down to access each of the 5 main networks available. Some rooms are suggested for each network, but use #XXX function once log in to display all the rooms (hundreds to thousands).
Note #2: be careful on any unusual request, command, or download proposals! See our tutorial on IRC here: IRC commands. Being polite and humble is the rule.
Tip: be a bit patient at a start of a conversation as many users let the window open and work meanwhile on something else and may not answer instantaneously.
For the first visit in search of engineering support, we recommend connecting to Libera.chat or Freenode below.
IRCnet Free IRC Client
Some of the rooms available on the IRCnet network: #engineering, #spaceengineers, #3DPrinting, #programming, #math, #science, #physics, #chemistry
DALnet Free IRC Client
Some of the rooms available on the DALnet network: #html, #3dprinting, #High-tech, #aws, #robotics, #electronics, #math, #physics
EFnet Free IRC Client
The oldest network, but possibly the less unified, as different local server instances may have different rules so as in EU or North America. We connect here via the Dalarnas Univerity (Sweden).
Some of the available rooms on the EFnet network: #engineering, #engineer, #3dprinting, #prototype, #openscad, #csmech, #science, #maths, #science, #autocad, #solidworks
Freenode Free IRC Client
Freenode was initially created to host OpenSource projects in particular. It hosts a lot of channels related to technologies and engineering.
Some of the rooms available on the Freenode network: #engineering, #ee, #systemengineers, #design, #Designers, #opensourcedesign, #AltiumDesigner, #productivity, #openprinting, #3d-printers, #sprint, #3dprinter, #reprap, #arduino, #kicad, ##algorithms, #c, #programming, #hardware, ##mechanics, #MechanicAdvice, ##electronics, ##math, #science, ##neuroscience, ##chemistry, ##biochemistry, #astrophysics,#kicad,#freecad, ##openscad, #openscad, #librecad, #MechanicAdvice, #solidworks
Note: a double “#” usually means it is not the official channel compared to a single “#” … but if there is no official, then just another one on the same topic.
Libera.chat Free IRC Client
Libera.chat is the youngest network but hosts the most active rooms of this page.
Some of the rooms available on the Libera.chat network: ##stm32, ##science, ##engineering, ##systemengineers, ##multirotors, #design, ##design, #reprap, #octoprint, #python, #C++, ##hardware, #windows, #php, #java, #arduino, ##electronics, ##perl, ##mechanics, ##electronics, ##electronics, #sparkfun, #hackvana, ##math, #algorithms, ##science, ##biology, #logic, ##programming, ##chemistry, ##physics, #kicad, #freecad, #openscad, #mechanicaladvice, #arduino
Note: a double “#” usually means it is not the official channel compared to a single “#” … but if there is no official, then just another one on the same topic.
FAQ
Is there a free IRC client that runs in the browser without any installation?
Yes, the clients on this page run entirely in the browser and need no software, plugin or account. They are web based IRC clients built on the open source Kiwi IRC front end. Enter a nickname and a channel, then click Connect to open a session on the selected network. Each embed is bound to one network, so use the table of contents to switch between IRCnet, DALnet, EFnet, Freenode and Libera.chat. A desktop client such as HexChat, irssi or WeeChat is preferable when you need scripting, local logs or a bouncer.
How does a browser based IRC client reach a TCP based IRC network?
A gateway sits between the browser and the IRC server. The browser talks to the gateway over HTTP or WebSocket, and the gateway opens the actual IRC connection and relays messages in both directions, acting as a proxy. Through the WEBIRC command, sent before any other command, the gateway tells the network the real IP address and hostname of the visitor instead of the gateway address. This requires a password or IP whitelist agreed in advance between the gateway operator and the network.
Which ports and encryption should an IRC client use?
Use TLS on TCP port 6697 whenever the network offers it. IRC networks have long listened on TCP port 6667 for plain text connections, and port 6697 for TLS is the common practice documented in RFC 7194. Libera.chat publishes ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697 as its primary address, and DALnet also accepts TLS on 6697. Remember that TLS only protects the link between client and server. It does not make messages private from server operators or from other channel members.
How do IRCnet, EFnet, DALnet and Libera.chat differ?
They differ by origin, policy and community. EFnet was formed in August 1990 from the non-eris servers of the original network. IRCnet was formed in July 1996 when mostly European servers split from EFnet. DALnet was founded in July 1994 by members of an EFnet channel and added services for nickname and channel ownership. Libera.chat was created on 19 May 2021 by former Freenode staff and focuses on free and open source software projects.
Which IRC network is best for engineering, electronics and CAD questions?
Libera.chat is the first choice for open source engineering topics because many major open source projects moved their channels there after the 2021 Freenode split. The Libera.chat list on this page includes #kicad, #freecad, #openscad, #arduino, #reprap, ##electronics and ##engineering. IRCnet and EFnet list general engineering and 3D printing rooms. Channel activity changes constantly, so run a channel list filtered by minimum user count after connecting and join the busiest matching room.
What do a single hash and a double hash in an IRC channel name mean?
On Libera.chat, channels starting with a single # are on-topic project and community channels, such as #linux. Channels starting with two or more # characters are informal channels, such as ##chat, that do not represent a registered project or community. A double hash channel can still be an excellent resource for a topic such as electronics, but it carries no official status. Other networks follow their own conventions, so check the network policy before assuming a channel is official.
Do I need to register a nickname, and how does SASL fit in?
Registration is optional for casual use but recommended for repeat use, because it reserves your nickname and is a prerequisite for cloaks and channel operator access. On Libera.chat the command is /msg NickServ REGISTER YourPassword [email protected]. A real, non-disposable email address is required, and the account is dropped after about 24 hours if you do not verify it. To log in automatically, configure SASL in your client, or send account:password as the server password.
Is an IRC conversation private, and what personal data does a web client expose?
Public channels are visible to every member and to any logging bot, and IRC itself provides no end-to-end encryption, so treat everything as public. Other users can see your nickname, username and host, which reveal your resolved hostname or IP address when the gateway forwards it through WEBIRC. Libera.chat gives newly registered accounts a generic user/YourName cloak, since 1 April 2024, to hide the IP address. Never share credentials in a channel, and verify any unusual request before acting on it.
Why are messages missed when the browser tab closes, and how can history be kept?
IRC is stateless: the server delivers messages only to connected clients, so closing the tab ends the session and anything said afterwards is lost. A bouncer such as ZNC or soju keeps a permanent connection to the network, buffers traffic while you are offline and replays it when you reconnect. Servers that implement the IRCv3 chathistory extension, for example Ergo, can also replay recent messages to supporting clients.
How do I find active channels and avoid common IRC scams?
Use the LIST command with a filter, such as a minimum user count, to display busy channels. Networks that advertise the ELIST token in their ISUPPORT reply support extensions for mask, user count, topic and creation time filters. Prefer channels with many users and a clear topic, and read the topic and rules before posting. Never paste commands or open files and links offered by strangers. Treat any request for passwords or personal data as hostile, even from a self-declared staff member

















