diff --git a/config.ini.example b/config.ini.example
index 84c5ee4..a805082 100644
--- a/config.ini.example
+++ b/config.ini.example
@@ -248,6 +248,8 @@ companion_min_inactive_days = 30
 # {rssi} - Received signal strength indicator in dBm
 # {timestamp} - Message timestamp in HH:MM:SS format
 # {path} - Message routing path (e.g., "01,5f (2 hops)")
+# {hops} - Total hop count only (e.g., "2" or "0"); same value as in path/connection_info, for use without the path string
+# {hops_label} - Same as hops with word "hop"/"hops" and pluralization (e.g., "1 hop", "2 hops", or "?" when unknown)
 # {path_distance} - Total distance between all hops in path with locations (e.g., "123.4km (3 segs, 1 no-loc)")
 # {firstlast_distance} - Distance between first and last repeater in path (e.g., "45.6km" or empty if locations missing)
 # {elapsed} - Elapsed time (e.g. 1234ms) or "Sync Device Clock" when device clock is invalid (use {elapsed} only; do not append ms)
diff --git a/modules/core.py b/modules/core.py
index 40165b5..f99fad7 100644
--- a/modules/core.py
+++ b/modules/core.py
@@ -543,6 +543,8 @@ admin_commands = repeater
 # {rssi}: Received signal strength indicator in dBm
 # {timestamp}: Message timestamp in HH:MM:SS format
 # {path}: Message routing path (e.g., "01,5f (2 hops)")
+# {hops}: Total hop count only (e.g., "2" or "0"); same value as in path/connection_info
+# {hops_label}: Same as hops with "hop"/"hops" and pluralization (e.g., "1 hop", "2 hops")
 # {path_distance}: Total distance between all hops in path with locations (e.g., "123.4km (3 segs, 1 no-loc)")
 # {firstlast_distance}: Distance between first and last repeater in path (e.g., "45.6km" or empty if locations missing)
 test = "ack [@{sender}]{phrase_part} | {connection_info} | Received at: {timestamp}"
diff --git a/modules/utils.py b/modules/utils.py
index 3ed6f45..e6094a6 100644
--- a/modules/utils.py
+++ b/modules/utils.py
@@ -2099,6 +2099,27 @@ def format_keyword_response_with_placeholders(
                 time_str = "Unknown"
             
             replacements['timestamp'] = time_str
+            
+            # Total hops: use message.hops when set, else parse from path string (e.g. "01,5f (2 hops)")
+            hops_val = getattr(message, 'hops', None)
+            if hops_val is not None and isinstance(hops_val, int):
+                replacements['hops'] = str(hops_val)
+            else:
+                path_str = message.path or ""
+                hop_match = re.search(r'\((\d+)\s*hops?', path_str, re.IGNORECASE)
+                if hop_match:
+                    replacements['hops'] = hop_match.group(1)
+                elif re.search(r'\bdirect\b|\b0\s*hops?\b', path_str, re.IGNORECASE):
+                    replacements['hops'] = "0"
+                else:
+                    replacements['hops'] = "?"
+            # Pluralized label: "1 hop", "2 hops", or "?" when unknown
+            h = replacements['hops']
+            if h == "?":
+                replacements['hops_label'] = "?"
+            else:
+                n = int(h)
+                replacements['hops_label'] = "1 hop" if n == 1 else f"{n} hops"
         else:
             # No message - use defaults for message-based placeholders
             replacements['sender'] = "Unknown"
@@ -2110,6 +2131,8 @@ def format_keyword_response_with_placeholders(
             replacements['path_distance'] = ""
             replacements['firstlast_distance'] = ""
             replacements['timestamp'] = "Unknown"
+            replacements['hops'] = "?"
+            replacements['hops_label'] = "?"
         
         # Mesh-info-based placeholders (from scheduled messages)
         if mesh_info: