How to perform a trace route

When you call a website, that request travels through many networks across the World Wide Web. A tracert command tracks a web request as it travels through the internet, reporting each stop (called a "hop") along the way. This can be useful in examining potential difficulties in reaching a website. Here is how you perform it:

1. In Windows, select Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. This will give you a window like the one below.

2. Enter the word tracert, followed by a space, then the domain name.

Your window will look like the one below.

Trace Route on Windows

In the instance above, this shows steps #1-19, the time each hop took and where the hop was located. The first hops are typically your computer (e.g. 192.168.1.1), your router, then your internet provider. The last hop should be the location you requested.

1. Launch Network Utility

2. Click Traceroute

Trace Route on Mac

3. Enter your domain name into the smaller box (highlighted above)

4. Click Trace

The results of the trace will appear in the larger box. You can copy and paste those results into an email, document or wherever you need them to go.