Traceroute Output Explainer
Run traceroute on your computer, paste the result, and get a hop-by-hop table with a plain-English read of where delays and timeouts really matter.
Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded Free, no limits
Paste your traceroute output
How to run traceroute
| System | Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | tracert example.com | Command Prompt or PowerShell. Add -d to skip name lookups (faster). Uses ICMP probes. |
| Linux | traceroute -n example.com | Install with sudo apt install traceroute if missing. Uses UDP probes; try -I (ICMP) or sudo traceroute -T -p 443 (TCP) if hops time out. |
| macOS | traceroute example.com | Terminal. Add -n for numeric output, -I for ICMP probes. |
| mtr (best) | mtr --report -c 20 example.com | Combines ping and traceroute: sends 20 probes per hop and reports loss and averages. On Windows use WinMTR or pathping. |
How to use the Traceroute Explainer
- Run tracert example.com on Windows, traceroute example.com on macOS/Linux, or mtr --report example.com.
- Copy the whole output, including the first "Tracing route" / "traceroute to" line.
- Paste it into the box — or load a sample for your system.
- Read the findings first, then check the hop table for latency jumps and loss.
Frequently asked questions
What does * * * mean in traceroute?
That router didn't answer the probes in time. If later hops answer normally, the router simply ignores or deprioritises traceroute and your traffic is fine. Only worry when every hop after a certain point shows * * * and the destination isn't reached.
Why does latency go up at one hop and then down again?
Routers answer traceroute probes with low priority, so a single hop can look slow while traffic passing through it isn't delayed. A real slowdown carries on to every later hop.
What is 100.64.x.x in my traceroute?
100.64.0.0/10 is shared address space for carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT). Your ISP uses it inside its network and shares public IPs among customers. It's normal, though it can affect port forwarding.
What is the difference between tracert and traceroute?
Windows tracert uses ICMP echo probes; Linux and macOS traceroute use UDP by default. Some firewalls treat them differently, so results can vary. traceroute -I uses ICMP and -T uses TCP on Linux.
What is mtr and why is it better?
mtr combines ping and traceroute: it sends many probes to every hop and reports loss and average latency per hop, which makes intermittent problems much easier to spot than a single traceroute.
How many hops is normal?
Most websites are 8 to 20 hops away. The number matters less than where latency jumps and whether loss continues to the destination.