Traceroute
Trace network hops to a destination host with bounded max-hop diagnostics
This free online traceroute runs in your browser and is part of our Developer Tools collection.
Traceroute
Run a bounded traceroute from the server to inspect hop-by-hop path behavior.
What this helps with
- Identify where latency increases along the route
- Visualize network hops for troubleshooting and learning
- Correlate path changes with connectivity incidents
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Instant In-Browser Execution
Runs locally in JavaScript without wait times or server delays.
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100% Privacy & Security
Your inputs and files are never stored or logged on remote servers.
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Cross-Device Responsive
Fully optimized for mobile smartphones, tablets, and desktop displays.
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100% Free Forever
No subscription fees, no signups, and no software installations.
How to Use the Online Traceroute
1
Enter Hostname or Destination IP
Type the target website or IP address you want to trace network hops to.
2
Initiate Hop-by-Hop Trace
Click "Run Traceroute" to transmit packets with incrementing Time-To-Live (TTL) values.
3
Inspect Routing Hops
Review the sequential table of intermediate routers, autonomous systems, and round-trip ping latency per hop.
4
Identify Network Bottlenecks
Locate where latency spikes, packet loss, or routing loops occur across global transit backbones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using this free online traceroute.
How does Traceroute discover intermediate router hops? ▾
Traceroute sends packets starting with a Time-To-Live (TTL) of 1. The first router decrements TTL to 0, drops the packet, and returns an ICMP "Time Exceeded" message revealing its IP. The tool increments TTL by 1 repeatedly until reaching the destination.
Why do some hops show asterisks (`* * *`)? ▾
Asterisks indicate that a particular intermediate router or firewall is configured to drop or deprioritize ICMP Time Exceeded packets, or timed out. If subsequent hops respond, it does not mean packet loss.
What causes high latency on a traceroute? ▾
Physical geographical distance (e.g. undersea fiber cable transits between continents) and congested transit peering points are the primary causes of latency increases.
How does this assist with website downtime troubleshooting? ▾
Traceroute shows whether a connectivity failure is occurring inside your local ISP, across intermediate backbone carriers, or directly at the destination web host.
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