General IRC Networks
Selected networks with several hundred to several thousand users
updated Mar 15, 2003
This page is part of the IRChelp.org Networks Site, please do not mirror or distribute.
We’ve set up separate pages to highlight some of the most popular nets (with over 10,000 people), or those serving a special local region or subject area. That still leaves hundreds of general networks. If you really want a full list, check out the netsplit.de 3rd party statistics site [ext. link]. We highlight just a few of these small to medium networks below. They are not necessarily the best or biggest nets. We just want to give you some suggestions if you’re new to IRC and looking for a general chat network. If you’re fed up with the chaos of the popular nets, many of these nets have full services and can be a reasonable place for you to either start or move your channel. Networks are listed alphabetically.
Network Data
Servers mainly around the pacific. Unlike most large networks, this is one of the few that isn’t US-based, but predominantly australasian. North American all-nighters might find some signs of friendly life here.
Locations: Australia, Canada, Singapore, UK, USA
Default ports: 6667-6669
Services: Channel (ChanOP), Nick (NickOP), Note (NoteOP), Help (HelpOP)
Started: Early 1996
Administrative channel: #asd
Locations: Canada, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA
Services: Channel (K9)
Started: March 1996
Administrative channel: #nuthouse
Originally formed by the irc.eskimo.com server after being forced off EFnet, this network soon became a prime example of how a small network grows to a respectable size and maintains stability for a number of years.
Locations: Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, UK, USA
Services: Channel (ChanServ), Nick (NickServ)
Started: April 1996
Administrative channel: #idleland
Locations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, UK, USA
Services: Channel (ChanS), Nick (NickS), Memo (MemoS), others.
Started: October 1997
Administrative channel: #relicnet
A network formerly run entirely on Windows servers, which was a great novelty back then, this network has developed into a very decent alternative to the major ones. Showcase for the (commercial) Conference Room ircd.
Locations: Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand, USA
Default port: 7000
Services: Channel (ChanServ), Nick (NickServ), Memo (MemoServ)
Administrative channel: #spiderslair