Format
An IPv4 contains four bytes separated by dots. Each byte ranges from 0 to 255. The 192.0.2.1 address is therefore a readable representation of a 32-bit number used by routers to transport data.
Limited space
IPv4 offers about 4.3 billion addresses. This space seemed huge at first, but it has become insufficient with smartphones, connected objects, servers and mobile networks. NAT and CGNAT allow for address sharing, but add complexity.
Private beaches
Networks 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16 are for local area networks only. They are not routed directly over the internet. An address like 192.168.1.20 often identifies a device behind a box, not the public connection.
Subnets
The CIDR notation, like 192.0.2.0/24, describes the size of a block. The larger the prefix, the smaller the network. The CIDR calculator helps to find the network, mask, broadcast and number of addresses.
Frequently asked questions
Will IPv4 disappear?
Not quickly. IPv4 is still widely used and coexists with IPv6.
Why do some tools talk about /24?
The /24 means that the first 24 bits describe the network, leaving 8 bits for the block addresses.
Reference sources
To be explored next
Published and verified by the VoirMonIP.com team on July 15, 2026.