Proxy Format Guide: IP:Port, User:Pass, and Bot Import Formats

Why Proxy Format Matters

A good proxy list can fail if it is pasted into your bot in the wrong format. Most proxy errors are not caused by the IP itself. They come from swapped usernames, missing passwords, unsupported separators, or trying to import authenticated proxies into a field that expects a different layout.

This guide explains the common proxy formats you will see in sneaker bots, retail bots, browser tools, and proxy testers.

Quick Proxy Format Recommendation

Use Case	Format To Try First
Sneaker bot proxy list	ip:port:username:password
Browser extension	ip:port plus separate username/password fields
Command-line test	http://username:password@ip:port
IP-authenticated proxy	ip:port
Residential sticky session	Provider's full ip:port:user:pass line

If you want a list that imports cleanly into common sneaker bots, Zenu proxy lists are delivered in bot-friendly formats. Check Zenu's proxy plans when you need a fresh setup.

The Most Common Proxy Formats

IP:Port

192.0.2.10:8000

This format is used when the proxy does not require a username and password, or when authentication is handled by IP whitelisting.

Use it when your provider says the proxy is IP-authenticated, or when your bot specifically asks for ip:port.

IP:Port:Username:Password

192.0.2.10:8000:zenuuser:zenupass

This is the most common sneaker bot format. The bot connects to the IP and port, then authenticates with the username and password.

Use this format for most authenticated residential and datacenter proxy lists unless your bot says otherwise.

Username:Password@IP:Port

zenuuser:[email protected]:8000

This format is common in browsers, command-line tools, and some proxy testers. It is also a standard URL-style authentication pattern.

Some bots support it, but many sneaker bots prefer ip:port:user:pass.

Protocol Prefix Format

http://zenuuser:[email protected]:8000
https://zenuuser:[email protected]:8000
socks5://zenuuser:[email protected]:8000

Some tools need the proxy protocol included. For sneaker bots, HTTP or HTTPS is usually the default. SOCKS5 should only be used if your provider and bot both support it.

If your bot has a separate dropdown for protocol, do not include the protocol prefix in the proxy line unless the docs say to.

How To Convert Between Formats

If you have:

192.0.2.10:8000:zenuuser:zenupass

Then the URL-style version is:

zenuuser:[email protected]:8000

And the protocol-prefixed version is:

http://zenuuser:[email protected]:8000

The pieces are the same. Only the order changes.

Field	Example
IP	192.0.2.10
Port	8000
Username	zenuuser
Password	zenupass

When importing into a bot, make sure no field contains extra spaces. A trailing space after the password can cause authentication failures.

Copy-Paste Conversion Examples

Starting Format	Convert To	Result
192.0.2.10:8000:zenuuser:zenupass	URL style	zenuuser:[email protected]:8000
192.0.2.10:8000:zenuuser:zenupass	HTTP URL	http://zenuuser:[email protected]:8000
zenuuser:[email protected]:8000	Bot style	192.0.2.10:8000:zenuuser:zenupass
http://zenuuser:[email protected]:8000	Bot style	192.0.2.10:8000:zenuuser:zenupass

If a bot rejects one format, do not assume the proxy is dead. Convert the same details into the format the bot expects and test again.

Which Format Do Sneaker Bots Usually Use?

Most sneaker bots accept ip:port:user:pass, especially for proxy lists assigned to task groups.

Use this as your default:

ip:port:username:password

Then switch only if the bot's import screen or documentation asks for something else.

Common examples:

Tool Type	Likely Format
Sneaker bots	ip:port:user:pass
Browser proxy extensions	user:pass@ip:port or separate fields
cURL and scripts	http://user:pass@ip:port
IP-authenticated dashboards	ip:port
Proxy testers	Varies, often supports multiple formats

Residential Proxy Session Parameters

Some residential providers include session settings inside the username. It may look something like this:

192.0.2.10:8000:user-session-abc123-country-us:password

That is still ip:port:user:pass. The username is just longer because it contains routing instructions.

Do not split the username apart unless your provider tells you to. Copy the full username exactly as given.

Session parameters can control things like:

• Country
• State or region
• Sticky session ID
• Session duration
• Rotation behavior

For sites like Nike SNKRS and Pokemon Center, sticky sessions are often important. Read our SNKRS proxy guide if you are setting up draw entries.

Authentication Errors and Fixes

If your bot says authentication failed, check these first:

Wrong order. You pasted user:pass:ip:port into a bot that expects ip:port:user:pass.

Extra spaces. Remove spaces before and after each line.

Password contains special characters. Some bots need special characters escaped or regenerated. If a password has @ or :, ask your provider for a simpler password when possible.

Expired plan. The format may be correct, but the proxy subscription may no longer be active.

Wrong protocol. A SOCKS proxy will fail in an HTTP-only field.

IP whitelist mismatch. If the proxy is IP-authenticated, your current server or home IP must be added to the provider dashboard.

Proxy Error Troubleshooting Table

Error or Symptom	Likely Cause	Fix
Authentication failed	Wrong order, wrong password, expired plan	Recheck ip:port:user:pass and plan status
Connection timeout	Dead proxy, bad route, overloaded list	Remove the proxy or test from another server
Wrong country	Session parameter or pool mismatch	Regenerate with the correct country setting
Works in tester, fails in bot	Bot expects a different format	Convert to the bot's required format
Works at home, fails on server	IP-auth whitelist mismatch	Add the server IP to the provider dashboard
All proxies fail at once	Plan expired or copied credentials incorrectly	Check dashboard status and paste a fresh list

Testing a New Proxy List

After importing a proxy list:

1. Test basic connectivity.
2. Confirm the country or region is correct.
3. Remove duplicates.
4. Remove timeouts and authentication failures.
5. Test lightly against the target site if your bot supports it.

Do not repeatedly test against the target site for no reason. You can burn good proxies by creating suspicious pre-drop traffic.

For a full pre-drop workflow, read how to test your proxies before a drop.

Format Examples by Use Case

For Shopify and Supreme bots:

ip:port:username:password

For a browser extension:

ip:port

Then enter username and password into the extension fields.

For command-line testing:

http://username:password@ip:port

For IP-authenticated datacenter proxies:

ip:port

The Bottom Line

Proxy format is simple once you know which part is which. Most sneaker bots want ip:port:user:pass, while browsers and scripts often prefer user:pass@ip:port or a protocol-prefixed version.

When in doubt:

• Check the bot's proxy import screen
• Keep one proxy per line
• Remove extra spaces
• Match the protocol
• Test once before the drop

Zenu proxy lists are delivered in bot-friendly formats so you can import them quickly and spend less time fighting setup errors. Check Zenu's proxy plans when you are ready for a clean list.

Proxy Format FAQs

What proxy format do most sneaker bots use?

Most sneaker bots use ip:port:username:password for authenticated proxy lists. Always check the bot import screen before changing the format.

What is the difference between ip:port:user:pass and user:pass@ip:port?

They contain the same proxy details in a different order. Sneaker bots usually prefer ip:port:user:pass, while browsers and scripts often use user:pass@ip:port.

Why does my proxy say authentication failed?

Authentication failures usually come from the wrong proxy order, extra spaces, expired credentials, special characters in the password, wrong protocol, or an IP whitelist mismatch.

Do residential proxy usernames need to stay exactly the same?

Yes. Residential proxy usernames can include session, country, or rotation settings, so copy the full username exactly as your provider gives it.

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Related guides:

• Best Proxies for Shopify
• Best Proxies for Supreme
• How to Test Your Proxies Before a Drop