Abstract: Packet meta-tagging using excess payload is described. In an implementation, a total packet length value specified in packet received at a network element is adjusted while preserving a data length value associated with a data portion of the packet to generate additional space in the packet to accommodate packet transmission meta-data. Packet-transmission meta-data can be inserted into the additional space created in the packet by the network element. In some implementations, the meta-data describes packet transmission characteristics of the packet. For example, the meta-data can be a timestamp corresponding to the time at which the packet was received by the network element. The meta-data can be an identifier corresponding to the network element that received the packet.