Subnets·IPv4 /32
IPv4
/32
255.255.255.255

/32 subnet — mask 255.255.255.255

/32 means the first 32 bits are the network and 0 are left for hosts. That is 1 addresses, with mask 255.255.255.255.

Addresses are 32 bits, so the mask is written in four dotted parts: 255.255.255.0.

/31 and /32 are the exceptions. Normally the network and broadcast addresses are subtracted, but a /31 links two routers and uses both (RFC 3021), and a /32 is a single-address route.

Prefix
/32
Subnet mask
255.255.255.255
Wildcard
0.0.0.0
Mask in hex
FFFFFFFF
Host bits
0
Addresses
1
Usable hosts
1
/24 networks inside
None
Nibble boundary
Yes

Seen as bits

The leading ones are the network part and the trailing zeros the host part. Add one more one and the network splits in two, halving the addresses.

Blocks reserved at this length

Blocks the standards set aside. The addresses themselves are the same everywhere, so they are left as they are.

255.255.255.255/32

Prefixes either side

How to read this

  • /24 means the first 24 bits are the network; the remaining 8 hold the addresses inside it.
  • Each extra bit splits the network in two and halves the addresses.
  • Usable addresses are normally the total minus two — the network and broadcast addresses.
  • IPv6 has no broadcast, so nothing is subtracted. One network is conventionally a /64.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How many addresses are in a /32?

1, of which 1 can actually be handed out.

Q. What is the subnet mask for /32?

255.255.255.255, with wildcard 0.0.0.0.

Q. How many /24 networks fit in a /32?

None — it is narrower than a /24.

Q. How many host bits are there?

0. Each extra network bit halves the addresses.