IP Address Validator
Validate IPv4 and IPv6 addresses with detailed error analysis and format checking
Quick Test Cases
How to Tell if an IP Address is Valid
Valid IP addresses follow specific rules. For IPv4, you need exactly four numbers (0-255) separated by dots, like 192.168.1.1. For IPv6, you need eight groups of hex digits separated by colons, though you can compress consecutive zeros with :: (like 2001:db8::1). The validator checks these rules and tells you exactly what's wrong when something doesn't match.
What Happens When Addresses Are Invalid
Invalid IP addresses cause real problems. Your router might reject them, network connections fail, or software crashes. Common mistakes include typos like "192.168.1.256" (256 is too big), missing parts like "192.168.1", or extra zeros like "192.168.01.01". This tool catches these errors before they break your network setup.
Why Some Addresses Have Warnings
Some valid addresses come with warnings because they have special meanings. For example, addresses ending in .0 are usually network addresses, and ones ending in .255 are broadcast addresses. Private addresses like 192.168.x.x won't work on the internet. The tool explains what each address type means so you know if it's right for your use case.