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350-401 The maximum hop count for EIGRP? Practice Question
What is the maximum hop count for EIGRP?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the difference between RIP's 15-hop limit and EIGRP's 255-hop limit, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the hop count limit with the administrative distance (100) or the RIP unreachable metric (16).
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
255
EIGRP uses a maximum hop count of 255, which is a hard limit encoded in the protocol's metric field. This allows EIGRP to scale to much larger networks than distance-vector protocols like RIP, which have a hop count limit of 15. The hop count is not used as a primary metric in EIGRP but serves as a loop-prevention mechanism, and routes with a hop count exceeding 255 are considered unreachable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
15
Why it's wrong here
The 15-hop limit applies to RIP, not EIGRP. EIGRP uses a composite metric based on bandwidth and delay, with a default maximum hop count of 100 (configurable up to 255). This option is tempting because 15 is a well-known hop-count ceiling for distance-vector protocols, making it appear plausible for any routing protocol’s hop restriction. However, EIGRP’s loop-prevention mechanism relies on the feasible successor and diffusing update algorithm, not a strict hop limit.
- ✓
255
Why this is correct
Correct. EIGRP has a maximum hop count of 255.
- ✗
16
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 16 is the infinity metric for RIP.
- ✗
100
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. EIGRP does not have a default hop count limit of 100; it is 255.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.
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