IP Address Converter
Convert IP addresses between different number formats.
Valid IPv4 address format
IP Class Information
Number Format Explanations
Binary (Base-2)
What it is: Uses only digits 0 and 1, representing how computers internally store IP addresses.
Example: 192.168.1.1 = 11000000.10101000.00000001.00000001
Usage: Low-level networking, subnet calculations, understanding network/host boundaries.
How to read: Each octet is 8 bits. Binary 11000000 = 128+64 = 192 in decimal.
Decimal (Base-10)
What it is: The entire IP as a single large number (0-4,294,967,295).
Example: 192.168.1.1 = 3,232,235,777
Usage: Database storage, mathematical operations, IP range calculations.
Calculation: (192×256³) + (168×256²) + (1×256) + 1 = 3,232,235,777
Hexadecimal (Base-16)
What it is: Uses digits 0-9 and letters A-F, common in programming and system administration.
Example: 192.168.1.1 = 0xC0.0xA8.0x01.0x01
Usage: Programming, system logs, network debugging, firmware configuration.
Conversion: 192 = C0 hex, 168 = A8 hex. Each hex digit represents 4 bits.
Octal (Base-8)
What it is: Uses digits 0-7, less common but still found in some Unix systems.
Example: 192.168.1.1 = 0300.0250.001.001
Usage: Legacy Unix configurations, file permissions, some network tools.
Note: Leading zeros indicate octal format. 0300 octal = 192 decimal.
IP Address Classes
IP address classes are historical categories that determine network size and usage patterns:
Class A
Range: 1.0.0.0 to 126.255.255.255
Default Mask: 255.0.0.0 (/8)
Networks: 126 networks, 16.7 million hosts each
Usage: Large organizations, ISPs, government networks
Class B
Range: 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255
Default Mask: 255.255.0.0 (/16)
Networks: 16,384 networks, 65,534 hosts each
Usage: Universities, medium-large organizations
Class C
Range: 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255
Default Mask: 255.255.255.0 (/24)
Networks: 2.1 million networks, 254 hosts each
Usage: Small businesses, home networks
Special Ranges
- Class D (224-239): Multicast addresses for group communication
- Class E (240-255): Reserved for experimental use
- Private Networks: 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16
- Loopback: 127.0.0.0/8 (localhost addresses)
When to Use Each Format
Network Administration
- Dotted Decimal: Daily configuration and documentation
- Binary: Subnet calculations and VLSM planning
- Hexadecimal: Debugging network captures and logs
Programming & Development
- Decimal: Database storage and IP range operations
- Hexadecimal: Low-level socket programming
- Binary: Bitwise operations and subnet masking
Troubleshooting & Analysis
- Binary: Understanding subnet boundaries
- Hexadecimal: Reading network packet captures
- Decimal: Quick IP range calculations