Linux - MTR (Real-Time Traceroute + Ping)

 

What is MTR?

MTR (My Traceroute) is a network diagnostic tool that combines:

  • Ping (latency & packet loss)

  • Traceroute (path/hops)

into a single, real-time, continuously updating tool.

It shows:

  • All routers between you and a destination

  • Latency at each hop

  • Packet loss percentage

  • Real-time network fluctuation

How to install MTR

Debian/Ubuntu

 
sudo apt install mtr

CentOS/RHEL

 
sudo yum install mtr

Mac (Homebrew)

 
brew install mtr

How to use MTR

Basic usage

 
mtr google.com

This opens a live, updating interface showing hops, latency, and packet loss.

Run MTR in report mode (useful for logs or support teams)

 
mtr -r -c 10 google.com

  • -r → report mode

  • -c 10 → send 10 pings to each hop

Use ICMP instead of UDP (more accurate on many networks)

 
sudo mtr -I google.com

Use TCP mode (useful when ICMP/UDP is blocked)

 
sudo mtr -T google.com

How to read an MTR output

Example:

 
Host Loss% Snt Last Avg Best Wrst StDev 1 192.168.1.1 0% 10 1 1 1 5 0.4 2 10.0.0.1 0% 10 5 6 4 10 1.2 3 72.14.205.1 5% 10 15 16 12 30 4.1 4 google.com 0% 10 23 24 20 40 3.3

Key indicators

Column Meaning
Loss% Packet loss at each hop
Avg Average latency to that hop
Wrst Worst latency (spikes)
StDev Stability of ping times

How to analyze

  • Packet loss at first hop → your router is the issue

  • Packet loss in the middle hops → ISP routing issue

  • High latency only at last hop → destination server is slow

  • Loss at an intermediate hop but not the last hop
    → ignore it (router deprioritizes ICMP but passes traffic normally)

Why MTR is better than ping or traceroute alone

Feature ping traceroute mtr
Latency ✔ ✔ ✔ (live)
Packet loss ✔ Limited ✔ (per hop)
Shows path ✖ ✔ ✔
Real-time updates ✖ ✖ ✔
Best for diagnosing Basic issues Routing issues Everything

Network engineers prefer MTR because it gives a full picture in seconds.