diff --git a/src/core/net/udp6.cpp b/src/core/net/udp6.cpp
index eaa7dc01e..83c5d5fca 100644
--- a/src/core/net/udp6.cpp
+++ b/src/core/net/udp6.cpp
@@ -486,21 +486,7 @@ exit:
     return;
 }
 
-bool Udp::IsPortInUse(uint16_t aPort) const
-{
-    bool found = false;
-
-    for (const SocketHandle &socket : mSockets)
-    {
-        if (socket.GetSockName().GetPort() == aPort)
-        {
-            found = true;
-            break;
-        }
-    }
-
-    return found;
-}
+bool Udp::IsPortInUse(uint16_t aPort) const { return mSockets.ContainsMatching(aPort); }
 
 } // namespace Ip6
 } // namespace ot
diff --git a/src/core/net/udp6.hpp b/src/core/net/udp6.hpp
index d9d7cc8b8..cd00cd5a3 100644
--- a/src/core/net/udp6.hpp
+++ b/src/core/net/udp6.hpp
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ public:
 #endif
 
     private:
+        bool Matches(uint16_t aSockPort) const { return GetSockName().GetPort() == aSockPort; }
         bool Matches(const MessageInfo &aMessageInfo) const;
 
         void HandleUdpReceive(Message &aMessage, const MessageInfo &aMessageInfo)