What is the Default RTSP Port?
The default RTSP port is 554. This is the port officially assigned to RTSP by IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) in RFC 2326. The vast majority of IP security cameras — Hikvision, Reolink, Dahua, Amcrest, Axis, and others — use port 554 by default.
When you write an RTSP URL without specifying a port, port 554 is assumed:
RTSP Port by Camera Brand
Most cameras default to 554, but there are common exceptions:
| Brand / System | Default RTSP Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hikvision | 554 | Standard on all models. Configurable in Network → Streaming. |
| Reolink | 554 | Standard. Some PoE models also respond on 8554. |
| Dahua | 554 | Standard across all models. |
| Axis | 554 | Standard. Enterprise models may use custom ports. |
| Amcrest | 554 | Standard RTSP port. |
| Tapo (TP-Link) | 554 | Standard on all Tapo cameras. |
| Foscam | 88 | Non-standard. Foscam uses HTTP port 88 and RTSP 88 by default. |
| Eufy | 554 | Requires RTSP enabled in the Eufy app first. |
| go2rtc output | 8554 | go2rtc defaults to 8554 (avoids requiring root on Linux). |
| Most DVR/NVR | 554 | Per-channel via Streaming/Channels/101–116 paths. |
| RTSPS (encrypted) | 322 | RTSP over TLS. Rarely used by IP cameras. |
How to Find Your Camera's RTSP Port
If you're unsure which port your camera uses:
Method 1: Camera Web Interface
- Open a browser and go to
http://[camera-ip] - Log in with your admin credentials
- Navigate to Network → Streaming or Advanced → RTSP
- Look for "RTSP Port" — default is usually 554
Method 2: ONVIF Discovery in SmartRTSP
SmartRTSP's built-in ONVIF scanner auto-discovers cameras on your network and reads the correct RTSP URL (including port) directly from the camera. Tap Scan in SmartRTSP — no manual port-hunting needed.
Method 3: Port Scan (Advanced)
How to Change the RTSP Port
Most cameras allow changing the RTSP port via the web interface. Common navigation paths:
| Brand | Where to Change RTSP Port |
|---|---|
| Hikvision | Configuration → Network → Advanced → More Settings → RTSP Port |
| Dahua | Setup → Network → Connection → Max Connections / Port |
| Reolink | Device Settings → Network → Advanced → RTSP Port |
| Axis | Settings → System → Plain Config → Network → Streaming |
| Amcrest | Setup → Network → TCP/IP → Port |
Tip: After changing the RTSP port, update your RTSP URL to include the new port number explicitly: rtsp://user:pass@ip:8000/stream
Port 554 vs Port 8554
Port 554 is the IANA standard. Ports below 1024 are "privileged ports" on Linux/Unix — they require root (admin) privileges to open. This is fine for embedded camera firmware running as root, but inconvenient for software like go2rtc running as a regular user.
Port 8554 is a popular alternative in the software world — go2rtc, MediaMTX, and many RTSP server libraries default to 8554 because it doesn't need elevated privileges. Budget cameras from Chinese manufacturers sometimes also default to 8554.
- ✓ IANA standard
- ✓ Default on most IP cameras
- ✓ Used by Hikvision, Reolink, Dahua, Axis
- ✗ Requires root on Linux
- ✓ No root required on Linux
- ✓ go2rtc, MediaMTX default
- ✓ Used by some DVR/NVR firmware
- ✗ Not the standard — less universal
RTSP Port Forwarding — Why You Shouldn't
⚠️ Security Warning: Never open RTSP port 554 (or 8554) to the public internet. IP camera firmware is routinely exploited. Cameras exposed to the internet are found by automated scanners within minutes and are prime targets for botnets.
RTSP transmits in cleartext — credentials and video data flow unencrypted. Forwarding port 554 to the internet means anyone who finds your IP can attempt to access your camera streams with default credentials.
The right way to access cameras remotely: use a VPN. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel to your home network — your phone connects to the VPN, which puts it on your LAN, and then RTSP works normally over the private tunnel. The camera port never needs to be exposed.
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See our full guide: Remote access to RTSP cameras via VPN →
RTSP Firewall Rules (LAN)
On your local network (LAN), port 554 should be reachable from your phone/computer to the camera. If your router has an internal firewall or you use network segmentation (IoT VLAN), you may need to allow RTSP traffic:
Tip: If RTSP connects but you get no video, the RTP UDP ports are likely being blocked. SmartRTSP automatically falls back to RTP-over-TCP (all data through port 554) when UDP is blocked.
RTSP Port FAQ
RTSP connects but shows no video — port issue?
This usually means the RTSP control connection (TCP 554) succeeded but the RTP video data stream (UDP) is being blocked. SmartRTSP detects this and switches to RTP-over-TCP automatically. If the issue persists, try connecting on a different network or check your firewall/VLAN rules.
Why does my camera URL need :8554 while others don't?
If you're connecting to a go2rtc server or some DVR/NVR systems, they often use port 8554 instead of the standard 554. You must include the port explicitly in the URL: rtsp://ip:8554/stream. When connecting directly to most IP cameras, port 554 is default and can be omitted.
Can I run two cameras on the same RTSP port?
Each camera is a separate device with its own IP address, so they all use port 554 independently — no conflict. The combination of IP + port is unique per device. You can connect to 10 cameras all on port 554 simultaneously.
What's the RTSP port for NVR sub-channels?
NVRs use a single RTSP port (typically 554) and different stream paths per channel. For example, Hikvision NVR channel 1 is at rtsp://ip:554/Streaming/Channels/101, channel 2 at /Streaming/Channels/201, etc. The port stays the same — the path changes.
Connect to Your Camera on iPhone
SmartRTSP handles port 554 and 8554 automatically — just enter the RTSP URL and connect. ONVIF scanner finds the right port for you.
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