Latency in digital communications refers to the time delay between event initiation and detection or perception by an observer, impacting applications such as web browsing, real-time video calls, and gaming. Understanding latency is crucial for assessing network performance and ensuring user expectations are met. Several factors contribute to latency, including routing and distance, IP communications, and physical infrastructure elements. Measuring latency accurately is vital for network assessment and troubleshooting, with tools like Ping, Traceroute, and benchmark procedures such as RFC 2544 and RFC 1242 providing valuable insights. To reduce latency, techniques like Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), and leveraging bandwidth can be employed to minimize the time data must travel and optimize network performance.