# Ping checks

A ping check sends ping requests to a host on a schedule and alerts when the host stops responding.

:::tip[New to Uptime?]
Start with [Get started with Uptime](/docs/uptime/).
:::

## Adding a ping check

In **Add check**, choose **Host doesn't respond to ping** under **Alert us when…**, then fill in **Host to monitor** with a public host name or IP address. Typing a bare IP address selects ping for you. If you leave the name blank, the check is named after the host.

Under **Advanced settings**, **Ping timeout** is 5 or 10 seconds, 10 by default. Check frequency and the confirmation period are described in [Working with checks](/docs/uptime/checks/#settings).

Ping checks only reach [public addresses](/docs/uptime/checks/#public-addresses-only).