Ping: is the server reachable?
Test whether a server responds on a given port, and how quickly, with four connection attempts.
About this tool
The tool attempts to connect to the server four times from our server in Sweden and measures how long each connection takes. It shows whether the server is up, whether the port is open, and how quickly the server responds.
Standard ping uses ICMP, which many servers and firewalls block — making a working server appear to be down. This tool instead measures a TCP connection to the port you choose, which is the same type of connection a browser or email client makes. The response time is nearly identical to that of a standard ping.
Choose the port based on what you want to test: 443 or 80 for websites, 25, 465, and 587 for outgoing email, 993 and 143 for IMAP, 995 and 110 for POP3, 22 for SSH, and 21 for FTP. If the server responds but refuses the connection, the server is up but the port is closed.
Response time is measured in milliseconds. Within Sweden, a few milliseconds is normal; to the other side of the world it can reach 150 to 300. If the times vary significantly between attempts, the network may be under load.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't you use a standard ping?
ICMP is often blocked by firewalls, so the result tells you little about whether a service is actually working. A TCP connection to the correct port shows whether the server is genuinely accepting traffic for web, email, or SSH.
What does it mean if the connection was refused?
The server responded, so it is up and reachable. However, no service is listening on that port, or the server is actively closing it. The response time for refused attempts is still shown.
What does it mean if the server did not respond in time?
No response arrived within three seconds. The server may be down, or a firewall may be silently dropping traffic to that port. Try a different port, such as 443, to see whether the server is up at all.
My email client can't send messages. How do I test it?
Test your outgoing server on port 587 and 465. If it responds here but not from home, your internet provider is likely blocking the port. Port 25 is commonly blocked for standard broadband customers.