Network Diagnostics

Network Traceroute

Trace the network path to any destination. See every hop with latency, geolocation, and routing information.

Network Path

Hop Latency

Geographic Trace

What is Traceroute?

Understanding network path tracing and diagnostics. Learn how to identify connectivity issues and measure latency.

How Traceroute Works

Traceroute maps the path packets take from your location to a destination server. It reveals each intermediate router (hop) and measures round-trip time.

Why Use Traceroute?

Diagnose connectivity problems
Measure latency per hop
Verify network routing

Understanding Results

Hop Number: Position in the route

IP Address: Router's address

Latency: Round-trip time

Timeouts (*): No response (normal)

Common Scenarios

All Hops Respond: Healthy route

Some Timeouts: Normal behavior

Stops Mid-Route: Blocking issue

High Latency: Congestion/Distance

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about traceroute and network diagnostics

What does each hop represent?

Each hop represents a router or gateway that your data passes through on its way to the destination. Hop 1 is typically your local network gateway, hop 2 is your ISP's first router, and subsequent hops are intermediate routers across the internet until reaching the destination server.

Why do some hops show timeouts (* * *)?

Timeouts (shown as asterisks) mean the router at that hop didn't respond to our traceroute probes. This is completely normal! Many routers are configured to not respond to traceroute packets for security or performance reasons, but they still forward your actual traffic. The presence of later hops confirms traffic is passing through.

Why does latency sometimes jump significantly?

Large latency increases usually indicate long-distance network links, such as undersea cables between continents or satellite connections. A jump from 20ms to 150ms often means the route crosses an ocean. Geographic distance is the primary factor, as signals can only travel at the speed of light through fiber optic cables (roughly 200,000 km/s).

Will I get the same results each time?

Not necessarily. Internet routing is dynamic—different packets may take different paths based on network conditions, load balancing, and routing protocols. Running traceroute multiple times might show slightly different routes or latencies. This is normal and part of how the internet optimizes traffic flow.

How can I diagnose network problems with traceroute?

Look for these indicators when troubleshooting:

Sudden stops: If traceroute stops mid-route and doesn't reach the destination, there may be a routing issue or firewall blocking
High latency at specific hop: Indicates congestion or issues at that router or network segment
Packet loss (some probes timeout): May indicate network congestion or instability
All hops time out after certain point: Firewall or network policy blocking traceroute packets

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