Ping Test
Check latency to any host.
Checked from our server. One location, so results show reachability from there only.
What the ping test does
A classic ping sends a small ICMP packet to a host and times the reply. That works well on your own network, but across the internet many servers and firewalls drop ICMP, so a ping can fail even when a website loads fine. This test measures latency in a way a web server can’t ignore: from our server, it opens a TCP connection to the site’s web port and sends a HEAD request, which asks for headers only.
Use it to see how responsive a host is, to spot a server that sometimes fails to accept connections, or to compare latency before and after moving a site to a different host.
How to use the HTTP latency test
- Type a host name or URL.
- Press Measure. We open five fresh connections and time each one.
- Read the TCP connect time (closest to a ping) and the full request time, with the median (p50) and slowest (p95).
Understanding the results
TCP connect time is how long it takes to complete the connection handshake with the server, which is about one network round trip. That makes it the closest match to a ping. Full request time adds the TLS handshake on https:// sites and the server’s reply to the HEAD request, so it is always higher. Lost shows how many of the five connections couldn’t be opened because they were refused or timed out. Anything other than 0 of 5 is worth a second run.
The table lists each attempt with its connect time, request time and HTTP status. Below it, Range gives the fastest and slowest connect times. A narrow range suggests a steady path between our server and the host; a wide one suggests congestion or a busy server. Address used is the IP we connected to, which helps when a name has several addresses.
Questions
Why not a real ping?
Many servers and networks block ICMP, so ping often fails even when a site works. A TCP connection to the web port is a reliable stand-in.
What do p50 and p95 mean?
p50 is the median: half the samples were faster. p95 is the time 95% of samples beat; with five samples it is the slowest one.
Which port is tested?
Port 443 by default. If you type an address that starts with http://, we use port 80 instead. Other ports can’t be tested.
How long does each attempt wait?
Up to three seconds to open the connection and four seconds for the whole request. A connection that can’t be opened in time counts as lost.
Where is it measured from?
Checks run from our server, in one location, so results show what that location sees.