route

Display the routing table

$ route -n

$ sudo route add default gw [192.168.1.1]

$ sudo route add -net [10.0.0.0/8] gw [192.168.1.1]

$ sudo route add -host [192.168.2.100] gw [192.168.1.1]

$ sudo route del -net [10.0.0.0/8]

$ sudo route del default

route [-n] [-v] [add|del] [-net|-host] target [gw gateway] [netmask mask] [dev interface]

route displays and manipulates the IP routing table. The kernel uses routing tables to determine where to send network packets based on their destination addresses.
Without arguments, route displays the current routing table. The -n flag shows numeric addresses, avoiding DNS lookups and speeding up display.
Routes can be added for networks (ranges of addresses) or specific hosts. The default route (0.0.0.0/0) handles traffic that doesn't match any specific route—typically pointing to the internet gateway.
Modern Linux systems prefer ip route from iproute2, but route remains available for compatibility and familiarity.

-n

Show numeric addresses (don't resolve hostnames)

Verbose output

Add a new route

Delete a route

Target is a network

Target is a host

Route packets via specified gateway

Specify netmask for network route

Force route to use specified interface

Set metric (priority) for the route

Install a blocking route

Destination: Target network or host
Gateway: Gateway address (\* means none needed)
Genmask: Netmask for the destination
Flags: U=up, G=gateway, H=host, !=reject
Metric: Route priority (lower = preferred)
Iface: Outgoing interface

Route changes made with route are not persistent across reboots. Use network configuration files or NetworkManager for permanent routes.
The route command is deprecated in favor of ip route from the iproute2 package, which offers more features and consistent syntax.
Modifying routes requires root privileges. Incorrect routing can cause network connectivity loss.

ip(8), netstat(8), iptables(8), traceroute(8)