{"slug":"is-my-traffic-routed-through-your-servers","title":"Is my traffic routed through your servers?","tags":["tailscale","routing"],"agent_summary":"Last validated: Jan 5, 2026","trigger_phrases":[],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\r\n# Is my traffic routed through your servers?\r\n\r\nLast validated: Jan 5, 2026\r\n\r\nNo.\r\n\r\nTailscale routes traffic over the shortest path possible. In most cases,\r\nthis is a direct, peer-to-peer connection.\r\n\r\nIn cases where a direct connection cannot be established, devices will\r\ncommunicate by bouncing traffic off of one or more geographically\r\n[distributed relay servers](https://tailscale.com/blog/how-tailscale-works#encrypted-tcp-relays-derp), called DERPs. The traffic that bounces\r\nthrough our relay servers is encrypted and no different security-wise than\r\nthe other dozen hops your internet packets already make when passing over\r\nthe network from point A to B.\r\n\r\n![Project Logo](https://cdn.brandfetch.io/tailscale.com/fallback/lettermark/theme/dark/h/256/w/256/icon?c=1bfwsmEH20zzEfSNTed)\r\n\r\nAsk AI\r\n\r\nreCAPTCHA\r\n\r\nRecaptcha requires verification.\r\n\r\nprotected by **reCAPTCHA**\r\n","html":"<h1>Is my traffic routed through your servers?</h1>\n<p>Last validated: Jan 5, 2026</p>\n<p>No.</p>\n<p>Tailscale routes traffic over the shortest path possible. In most cases,\r\nthis is a direct, peer-to-peer connection.</p>\n<p>In cases where a direct connection cannot be established, devices will\r\ncommunicate by bouncing traffic off of one or more geographically\r\n<a href=\"https://tailscale.com/blog/how-tailscale-works#encrypted-tcp-relays-derp\">distributed relay servers</a>, called DERPs. The traffic that bounces\r\nthrough our relay servers is encrypted and no different security-wise than\r\nthe other dozen hops your internet packets already make when passing over\r\nthe network from point A to B.</p>\n<p><img src=\"https://cdn.brandfetch.io/tailscale.com/fallback/lettermark/theme/dark/h/256/w/256/icon?c=1bfwsmEH20zzEfSNTed\" alt=\"Project Logo\"></p>\n<p>Ask AI</p>\n<p>reCAPTCHA</p>\n<p>Recaptcha requires verification.</p>\n<p>protected by <strong>reCAPTCHA</strong></p>\n"}