Bridge relays are Tor relays that are not listed in the public Tor directory.

That means that ISPs or governments trying to block access to the Tor network can't simply block all bridges. Bridges are useful for Tor users connecting from censored networks or under oppressive regimes.

A bridge is just a normal relay with a slightly different configuration. See How do I run a bridge for instructions.

If you have a residential connection and want to become a relay operator, we recommend running a bridge. Because bridge IP addresses aren't publicly listed, they are less likely to be automatically blocklisted by online services.