Diagnose network path and packet loss with `mtr`
When a connection is slow or flaky, traceroute only shows a snapshot. mtr keeps pinging every hop and shows live loss and latency statistics per router along the path.
01Command
$ mtr -rw example.com02What it does
mtr sends packets to each hop between you and the destination continuously, so a router that drops packets shows a Loss% column right away — something a single `traceroute` run can easily miss. `-r` switches to report mode and `-w` to wide output, which is ideal for pasting into a bug report. Loss at intermediate hops can be normal (routers deprioritize ICMP), so trust the loss at the destination line most.
03Risk
04Undo
✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.
05Sources
- mtr(8) — combines the functionality of traceroute and pingEvidence: Documents mtr as traceroute+ping combined, and the -r report mode with -w wide format
- MTR — My TracerouteEvidence: Official mtr project page describing its real-time route/loss statistics display
Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Network
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