# Tor: What is the difference between a relay, bridge, and exit relay?

A relay is a server that carries Tor traffic.

2026-08-23
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Switchboard Tech Services


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## Short answer

A relay is a server that carries Tor traffic. A bridge is an unpublished entry point used mainly to help people bypass blocking; a middle relay carries traffic between other relays; an exit relay makes the final connection to an ordinary website. These roles have different operational and abuse-report considerations, so choose one deliberately before offering a server.

## Sources

[Tor Project: Relay types](https://community.torproject.org/relay/types-of-relays/).

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Language: en-us

Content type: guide

Author: Switchboard Tech Services

Published: 2026-08-23T12:02:46+00:00

Description: A practical answer to What is the difference between a relay, bridge, and exit relay?