What Is the SFTP Port Number?

What is SFTP?

SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol. It lets you send files to your hosting without anyone being able to read them on the way. It works inside SSH, which is a secure, scrambled link between your computer and a server.

What is a port?

A server is like a big building. A port is like a door number. Each service uses its own door. Mail uses some doors. Websites use others. Your file transfer program must knock on the right door.

SFTP uses port 22 by default, because it shares the SSH door. Some servers change this number for safety. If port 22 does not work, ask Hostvento support for your port. Your welcome email may list it too.

Steps to connect with FileZilla

1. Open FileZilla, a free file transfer program.
2. In the top bar, find the boxes named Host, Username, Password and Port.
3. In Host, type sftp:// followed by your server name. This makes FileZilla use SFTP.
4. Type your user name and password.
5. In Port, type 22 or the port support gave you.
6. Click Quickconnect.
7. If a window asks about an unknown host key, check that it is your server. Tick the box to trust it and click OK.

Test with a command

You can also connect from a terminal. Replace 22 with your port.

sftp -P 22 user@server-address

This opens an SFTP session on port 22. Note that the letter P is a capital here.

If it does not connect

• Check the user name and password.
• Check that the port is right.
• Check that SSH or SFTP access is enabled on your plan. Ask support.
• Your own firewall may block port 22. A firewall is a guard that blocks some doors. Try another network.

Quick recap

• SFTP uses port 22 by default.
• Plain FTP uses port 21 and is not secure.
• Servers may use a different port; ask support.
• Type the port in your FTP program.