Methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses are described for radio access technology (RAT) detection and identification. A user equipment (UE) may decode a multi-RAT primary synchronization signal (PSS). The multi-RAT PSS may be common among a plurality of RATs. The UE may decode, based on the decoded multi-RAT PSS, a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The UE may identify, based on the decoded SSS, a RAT associated with the multi-RAT PSS and the SSS.