Class C Network: 256-Address /24 Range
Convert a full Class C IP range (256 addresses) to a single /24 CIDR block. Learn about the most common subnet size used in local networks.
Detailed Explanation
Class C /24 Network Range
A /24 CIDR block contains 256 IP addresses and corresponds to what was traditionally called a "Class C" network. It is the most commonly used subnet size for LANs, small office networks, and cloud VPC subnets.
Example
Range: 192.168.1.0 - 192.168.1.255
CIDR: 192.168.1.0/24
Address Breakdown
| Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Network Address | 192.168.1.0 |
| Broadcast Address | 192.168.1.255 |
| Subnet Mask | 255.255.255.0 |
| Network Bits | 24 |
| Host Bits | 8 |
| Total Addresses | 256 |
| Usable Host Addresses | 254 |
The first address (192.168.1.0) is the network address and the last address (192.168.1.255) is the broadcast address. These two addresses cannot be assigned to hosts, leaving 254 usable addresses.
Why /24 Is So Popular
- Simple to remember: The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0
- Right-sized for most offices: 254 hosts covers most small-to-medium deployments
- Clean octet boundary: The last octet is entirely for hosts, making mental math easy
- Cloud default: Most cloud providers (AWS, GCP, Azure) suggest /24 subnets for VPCs
When a Range Maps Perfectly to /24
If your start IP ends in .0 and your end IP ends in .255 in the same /24 block, the range converts to exactly one CIDR block. Any other combination within 256 addresses may require multiple blocks.
Use Case
A network administrator is setting up a new VLAN for the engineering department. They assign the range 192.168.10.0 through 192.168.10.255, which converts cleanly to 192.168.10.0/24 for use in router configuration and DHCP scope settings.