How to use Tracert/Traceroute

What is Traceroute?

An internet traceroute shows the route taken by data as it moves from its source to its destination. In contrast to other diagnostic tools that examine data, such as packet capture, a traceroute serves a different purpose. In contrast, Traceroute looks at how the data travels over the internet.

How do I use Tracert in Microsoft Windows?

1. Open a Command Prompt
2. Click on the Start Menu and in the search bar, type ‘cmd’, and press Enter.
3. Enter “tracert” followed by the destination—either an IP address or a domain name—in the Command Prompt window.

• For example tracert google.com OR tracert 142.251.36.14
• The command’s output will include the number of hops found and the time (in milliseconds) for each hop.

Run a traceroute in macOS

1. Launch Terminal (found in the Applications > Utilities folder).
2. In the Terminal window, enter traceroute www.google.com