Neon · Const

Pooled endpoint port

Neon’s pooled endpoint uses port 5432, the default PostgreSQL port. Choose it with a hostname ending in -pooler; the endpoint uses PgBouncer in transaction mode for high-concurrency workloads.

How it works

A Neon pooled endpoint uses the same PostgreSQL port as a direct endpoint: 5432. Pooling is selected by using a hostname whose endpoint ID ends with -pooler; PgBouncer then manages client connections in transaction mode.

Syntax

postgresql://<user>:<password>@<endpoint-id>-pooler.<region>.aws.neon.tech/<dbname>?sslmode=require

Key points

The pooled endpoint port is 5432, the default PostgreSQL port used by Neon.
The pooler is designed to support as many as 10,000 concurrent client connections.
The pooled endpoint remains available for applications that need connection pooling.

Example: Inspect a pooled connection URL

const url = new URL(process.env.DATABASE_URL);
console.log(url.port || "5432");
console.log(url.hostname.endsWith("-pooler."));

Reads a Neon connection URL and checks its port and pooled-hostname convention.

When to use it

Connection-per-request workloads

Serverless functions frequently opening short-lived database connections.

High concurrency

Applications needing many simultaneous client connections.

Pooled application connection

Services where pooling is selected in Neon’s Connect modal.

Interview questions

QWhat port does Neon use for a pooled endpoint?

The pooled endpoint uses port 5432, Neon’s default PostgreSQL port. Pooling is indicated by adding -pooler to the endpoint ID in the hostname.

Follow-up: How would you enable pooling? Use the pooled connection string from the Connect modal, or add -pooler to the endpoint ID in a valid connection string.

QWhen should an application use the pooled endpoint?

Use the pooled connection string for serverless functions and connection-per-request workloads. It routes clients through PgBouncer and supports up to 10,000 concurrent connections.

Follow-up: When should it be avoided? Prefer a direct connection for migrations, logical replication, or other persistent/session-sensitive operations.

QHow can you distinguish pooled and direct Neon endpoints?

The pooled endpoint is identified by the -pooler suffix in the hostname, while the direct endpoint has no such suffix. Both use Neon’s default PostgreSQL port, 5432.

Follow-up: What is the operational difference? The pooled endpoint uses PgBouncer in transaction mode; the direct endpoint connects without that pooler layer.

Connection pooler
Direct connection
PgBouncer
Connection pooling
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Source: Connection pooler Thousands of connections. Checked 2026-10-16.