how to test network and internet latency

8/11/2019 How to Test Network and Internet Latency

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How to Test Network and Internet Latency (Lag)

in Microsoft Windows

606,347 views

31 Editors

Edited 14 weeks ago

Have you just connected a Windows PC to anetworkor the Internet? Want to know the easiest way to

check connectivity? Both the "ping" and "tracert" commands will help you measure latency, also known

as "lag." Follow these steps to test your internet latency.

Steps

1.

1

Go to Start> Runand type cmd.You can also search for cmd.exein the Windows Search function.
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Steps

1.

1

Go toStart

>Run

and typecmd

.You can also search forcmd.exe

in the Windows Search function.

Ad

2.

2

Press OKto launch Windows Command.This is the default command-line interface for Windows
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3

Test the loop-back address.

Typeping 127.0.0.1(it is the same for every computer, so you do not need to change this). This

will test your computer's network chip, not your modem, router, or Internet connection.

PressEnterto begin pinging.

Place -tat the end of the command to perform continuous testing.
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To exit continuous testing, press Ctrl+C.

Place -n 20at the end of the command to send 20 pings. Replace the number 20 with any value

(the value will be limited to a 32-bit or 64-bit integer).


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If everything is correct, you will see something like:

Look at the ping statistics. They should report a 0% loss.


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Keep an eye on the response time, as it represents the connection's latency between you and the

server. Double digit values (such as 50ms, or lower) are very good. This varies drastically

depending upon where the server is in relation to your computer. Generally, most connections

should have latency less than a few hundred milliseconds. If there is no network connection, you

will see the output "Request timed out" repeated.

4

Test your local gateway.Find your default gateway's IP address:

Type ipconfigin the command prompt window.


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PressEnter. The command prompt will then display the output from the ipconfig command.

Find the listing for "Default Gateway". This is the IP you can use in a ping to test the connection

between your computer and your router or ISP.
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5

Test beyond your local network.Test the connectivity of your modem, router, network, or internet

connection by using an IP address on the Internet.
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6

Check domain name resolution.Instead of an IP address, type in a site's domain name, such as

www.google.com. Pinging a domain name tests your computer and network's ability to resolve network

names (translating them to IP addresses).

7

Measure network and internet performance (Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista only).Use the

tracert command to measure the response of each hop in a network path. Your connection to any one

server will require multiple "hops" between other servers and networking components. The fewer

number of hops, the better. Most connections to a server on the Internet will include at least a dozen

hops. To test:

With the command prompt open, type tracert xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, replacing xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with

an IP address on the internet.

PressEnterand watch as each hop is pinged and logged. The first ping should be your computer,

modem, or router, and the last ping should be your target address.
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Notice that the response time for points farther away from you will be greater than those closer

to you.

Tips

Once you're finished using either the PING command or the TRACERT command, you can close the

Command Prompt window by typing "exit", without the quotes.

Another way to start Command Prompt is by navigating to Start > (All) Programs > Accessories >

Command Prompt.

If you use a dial-up connection, then you may see higher latencies or even lost packets (% loss).

You can also run a remote PING[1]

or TRACEROUTE.[2]

This allows you to ping an IP address or computer

from a computer other than yours to see if the problem may be associated with your local connection

rather than the IP Address you are trying to connect to.

Warnings

Some servers on the Internet block your ability to 'ping' them. These network points are blocking your

request for a ping to promote their own security.
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