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Check NTP time sync status with chronyc

Verify that chrony is keeping the clock accurate and which NTP servers it uses.

Linuxtime-syncDiagnosticschronyLow risk
Run chronyc tracking for the overall sync state and chronyc sources -v to see each NTP server and whether it is reachable.

01Command

Command
$ chronyc tracking && chronyc sources -v

02What it does

chronyc tracking shows how far the clock is off (Last offset), the stratum, and whether a leap second is pending. chronyc sources -v lists configured servers with a status column — ^* marks the server currently being synced to, and Reach should be a non-zero octal value like 377. If nothing is selected, the NTP daemon cannot reach any server.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementschrony installed and running (default on RHEL/Fedora/Ubuntu Server). On systemd-timesyncd systems use timedatectl instead.
!Warning: A large Last offset that never shrinks usually means a firewall is blocking UDP port 123 or the network blocks NTP. This command is read-only and safe to run anytime.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • chronyc(1) - command-line interface for chrony
    Ubuntu Manpages · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: chronyc tracking reports system time, last offset and stratum; chronyc sources shows the NTP servers chrony is using and their reach/state.
  • chrony documentation
    chrony project · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Official documentation for the tracking and sources commands and the meaning of Leap/Stratum/Root delay fields.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings

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