What port does SQL Developer use to connect to PostgreSQL?

The default PostgreSQL port is 5432. SQL Developer includes a bundled PostgreSQL JDBC driver — no separate driver download is needed, unlike with MySQL.

Why does PostgreSQL say password authentication failed?

Wrong password or wrong username. PostgreSQL usernames are case-sensitive. Reset the password from the psql shell with: ALTER USER postgres PASSWORD 'newpass';

Why does PostgreSQL say no pg_hba.conf entry?

PostgreSQL is rejecting your IP because pg_hba.conf doesn't authorize it. Edit pg_hba.conf and add a line like: host all all 0.0.0.0/0 md5, then restart PostgreSQL for the change to take effect.

Does SQL Developer support Heroku Postgres and Amazon RDS?

Yes. Use the host, port, database name, username, and password from your Heroku or RDS dashboard. SSL is required for Heroku and recommended for RDS. DigitalOcean Managed Databases use port 25060 instead of 5432.

postgresql/connection.spec

How to Connect SQL Developer to PostgreSQL

Set up a PostgreSQL connection in SQL Developer in just a few clicks. No complex configuration required — the PostgreSQL driver is built-in.

~/connections/postgresql.spec setup overview

# Connection target

database = PostgreSQL 9.6+ / 12.x / 14.x / 16.x

driver = PostgreSQL JDBC (bundled)

port = 5432 # default; configurable

protocol = TCP # SSL recommended for remote

auth = username/password

# Setup info

time = 5 minutes

difficulty = Beginner

steps = 4

prereq = SQL Developer installed (driver included)

// 4 setup steps + 4 connection examples + troubleshooting below

View Steps Download SQL Developer

prerequisites.txt

Before You Start

What you'll need before opening the New Connection dialog.

SQL Developer installed — download free if you haven't yet
PostgreSQL server running and accessible from your machine
Connection details: hostname, port, username, password, database name

Good news: Unlike MySQL, you don't need to download a separate JDBC driver. SQL Developer includes PostgreSQL support out of the box.

install/steps

Connect to PostgreSQL Step by Step

Four steps to a working connection. Total time: about 5 minutes.

STEP_01

Open Connection Dialog

Click the green + icon in the Connections panel on the left side of SQL Developer. This opens the New Database Connection dialog.

STEP_02

Select PostgreSQL

In the connection dialog, click the PostgreSQL tab on the left side. The form will update to show PostgreSQL-specific fields.

STEP_03

Enter Connection Details

Connection Name: any name (e.g., "My Postgres DB")
Username: postgres (or your user)
Password: your password
Hostname: localhost or server IP
Port: 5432 (default)
Database: postgres (or your DB name)

STEP_04

Test and Connect

Click Test to verify the connection works. If successful, click Save then Connect.

connections.conf

PostgreSQL Connection Examples

Four common configurations — local, Heroku, Amazon RDS, and DigitalOcean managed databases.

~/connections/local.conflocal Postgres

# Local PostgreSQL Server

hostname = localhost

port = 5432

database = postgres

username = postgres

~/connections/heroku.confHeroku Postgres

# Heroku Postgres add-on

hostname = ec2-xx-xxx-xxx-xx.compute-1.amazonaws.com

port = 5432

database = (from Heroku dashboard)

ssl = required

~/connections/aws-rds.confAmazon RDS

# Amazon RDS PostgreSQL endpoint

hostname = your-instance.xxxx.region.rds.amazonaws.com

port = 5432

database = postgres

username = your_master_user

~/connections/digitalocean.confDigitalOcean Managed DB

# DigitalOcean Managed Database

hostname = your-db-do-user-xxxxx-0.db.ondigitalocean.com

port = 25060

database = defaultdb

ssl = required

PROBLEMS panel

PostgreSQL Connection Troubleshooting

Fixes for the three errors most often hit during PostgreSQL setup.

⚠

Connection Refused

PostgreSQL isn't accepting connections. Check that the service is running (sudo systemctl status postgresql) and verify pg_hba.conf allows your connection. Full fix in the connection-refused guide.

→
!

FATAL: password authentication failed

Wrong password or username. PostgreSQL usernames are case-sensitive. Reset the password with ALTER USER postgres PASSWORD 'newpass';

→
!

FATAL: no pg_hba.conf entry

PostgreSQL is rejecting your IP. Edit pg_hba.conf and add: host all all 0.0.0.0/0 md5, then restart PostgreSQL.

PG_HBA

~/downloads ready.sh

Next: Connect to MySQL Too?

If you also need MySQL, the setup is nearly identical to PostgreSQL — same New Connection dialog, port changes to 3306, and you need to add the MySQL JDBC .jar once (PostgreSQL ships with its driver built in).

// next.specconnect-mysql.md · port 3306

// see-alsofirst-query.md · schema-explorer.md

Connect to MySQL

See also: First Query Tutorial · Schema Explorer · Don't have it yet? Download SQL Developer