Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about TraceMapper
What is a traceroute?
A traceroute is a network diagnostic tool that maps the path packets take from your device to a destination. It shows every router (hop) along the way, along with latency and packet loss at each step.
What protocols does TraceMapper support?
TraceMapper supports ICMP (standard ping), UDP (works without root), and TCP (best for bypassing firewalls). You can select the protocol before starting a trace.
Why do some hops show as * * * (timeout)?
Some routers are configured to not respond to traceroute probes for security reasons. This is normal and doesn't necessarily indicate a problem — the packets are still being forwarded.
How accurate is the geolocation data?
We use MaxMind GeoLite2 databases which are generally accurate to the city level. However, IP geolocation is not always precise — it reflects where the IP address is registered, not necessarily the physical location of the device.
What is an ASN?
An Autonomous System Number (ASN) identifies a network operator (ISP, cloud provider, etc.). Seeing which ASNs your traffic passes through helps understand which networks are involved in routing your data.
What is the difference between the Free and Pro plans?
The Free plan allows 20 traces per day with the last 10 saved. Pro offers unlimited traces, unlimited history, CSV export, trace comparison, API access, and multi-source tracing from different locations.
Can I trace from different geographical locations?
Yes! Pro users can run traces from multiple servers in different countries. This helps identify routing differences and regional latency issues.
Is my data private?
Yes. Traceroute results are only accessible to your account. You can optionally share individual traces via a unique link. We don't sell or share your data with third parties.