Packet Loss
Packet loss is the percentage of network packets that never reach the destination within the expected window.
3 min readReviewed Jul 2026TTML Editorial
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Definition
In depth
Every game state update — your movement, another player's shot, the server's response — is a small packet. When those packets go missing, the client and server disagree on reality until the next update reconciles them.
Any sustained packet loss is a problem. Even 1% loss on the outbound path can cause rubber banding, missed hits and inconsistent registration in games that rely on client-authoritative movement.
Deep dives
Guides that use Packet Loss
Related terms
See also
- Rubber BandingRubber banding is the visible symptom of outbound packet loss — the server snapping your character back to its last confirmed position.
- JitterJitter is the short-term variation of your ping — the difference between one round-trip time and the next.
- PingPing is the round-trip time in milliseconds for a packet to travel from your device to the game server and back.
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