What Is My Subnet Mask & How Can I Find It Out?

A subnet mask is a numerical code dividing your internet communications into smaller subnetworks: the network and host. To answer ‘what is my subnet mask’ we can say Its a range of available IP addresses and the right number of devices that may be connected to it.

There are different subnet masks for different kinds of work and for the people using them in different areas. The two most common subnet masks include Europe and North America with subnet masks of 255.0.0.0. At the same time, the 255.0.0.0 subnet mask is common in Asia, Oceania, and South America. 

What is A Subnet Mask and Why is It Used?

You can identify it as an ordinary Internet Protocol address, with 32 bits separated into four octets. You can also define it by referring to its structure as it is a string of ones followed by zeros in binary. It also informs about the range of available IP addresses. 

In a deeper meaning, ‘what is a subnet mask ‘ means the masks used internally within a network. They perform an important function by channeling the internet devices and switches to route data packets to suitable destinations. Data packets only show these subnet masks as an IP address while they travel over the internet or any other network.

The subnet is divided into two parts ’A Network ID’ and a ‘Broadcast ID’. The starting number is the network ID which is always an even number. This network ID is used to define a subnet mask.

The broadcast ID comes at the end which always ends at an odd number. This is used to assign the address for all devices on the subnet when someone within your subnet tries to send data.

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What Is My Subnet Mask Address?

The subnet mask address is also termed a gateway address. In a subnet mask address, only the host bits would be concealed leaving the network ID visible. Your subnet mask address defines the size of a particular subnet. If you have a subnet mask address ranging from 0 to 8 it shows a DSL and T1 IP block. On the other hand, the private networks have a bit range in the 8 to 24 IP blocks.

How to Determine Subnet Mask

Any submask address will contain 0s and 1s with zeros placed on the right and 1s on the left. A subnet IP address may look like as follows:

255.255.255.252 with a binary mask like 11111111.11111111.11111111.11111100.

To understand this calculation, you should remember that both binary mask and subnet length are interconnected. We will take the previous example to understand it. The subnet for IP address length of the subnet mask 255.255.255.252 is 2. This is to remember that while you estimate and calculate the subnets and subnet masks, some special characters would be repeated. These numbers are 255, 254, 252, 248, 240, 224, 192, and 128. The main purpose of these numbers is to see the exact position for breaking up subnets.

What is My Subnet Mask Good For?

There are several other uses of subnet masks besides dividing the IP address into smaller subnets. These may include:

1. It helps in identifying the endpoints of a personal IP address.
2. Subnet masks also utilize the limited number of IPV4 addresses in a good way.
3. The process of subnet masking serves as a better protection for your network.
4. Your network traffic gets channelized and the performance gets better.

How Can You Differentiate Between Different Classes of IP Addresses?

IP addresses are divided into 5 classes and they have different functions:

1. Class A

It starts with 0.0.0 and ends with 127.255.255.255. The most popular use case of this IP class is seen in large companies like Google.

2. Class B

It starts with 128.0.0.0 and ends with 191.255.255.255. These IP addresses are used in medium-sized companies.

3. Class C

These IP addresses start with 192.0.0.0 and end with 223.255.255.255. The main use of these addresses is seen in small-sized companies.

4. Class D

These IP addresses start with 240.0.0.0 and end with 239.255.255.255. These addresses are not used in public sectors but they are used for multicast addressing.

5. Class E

This IP address starts at 240.0.0.0 and ends at 255.255.255.255. These kinds of addresses are used by sensitive centers like those reserved for scientific research.

What is My Subnet Mask Address For PS4?

It is very important to set up a permanent internal IP address if you love to play games on your PS4 console. This permanent IP address is also called a static IP address. This is very useful to get a static IP address as you will always get the same internal IP address even after it is rebooted. You can assign the subnet in two ways:

1. Setting up the IP address in PS4 Manually

1. Jump into the settings of PS4 and select Network from the list of options.
2. Here select the View Connection Status option and find the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Mac Address.
3. In case of using a WiFi connection to your PS4 then choose the WiFi MAC address, otherwise choose the LAN cable MAC address.
4. Now login to your router and permanently assign your PS4 to that IP address. 
5. The last step is to ensure the address is assigned permanently. To do this, again go to PS4 settings and select Network.
6. Here you will choose Test Internet Connection and wait for running the test.

2. Setting up a Static IP Address in PS4

When you are unable to assign the IP address manually, follow the steps below to do it easily:

1. Go into the menu and start finding out your present IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings in your PS4 and select Settings
2. Next select Network, and within this select View Connection Status.
3. Note down and keep safe your IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, primary DNS, and secondary DNS settings. You will use them in your console.
4. Now login to your router and access your router, by typing your router’s IP address into your browser. 
5. Find the DHCP range your router uses. 
6. Now choose a number between 2 and 254 that is outside of your router’s DHCP range to assign to your PS4.
7. To confirm the availability of this number ping the address using the Windows Command Prompt.
8. In the next step go to your PS4 console to set the internal IP address to the number you have chosen. For this, you will enter settings and select a network, Then choose to set up an internet connection.
9. Here you will choose between Wifi or LAN Cable. And you will see a message saying ‘How do you want to set up the Internet connection?’ Choose Custom and then from the 
10. IP Address Settings screen, choose Manual.
11. In the next step, you will choose the IP Address and enter the number that you have chosen for the IP address. Select Done.
12. Select Subnet Mask and enter the number from the list of settings you wrote down. Select Done.
13. From the Default Gateway, enter your router’s IP address. Select Done
14. Select Primary DNS, and enter the number from the list you wrote down for step 1. Select Done
15. Select Secondary DNS, and enter the number step 1. Select Done
16. Now in the final step click on the Next option and from the MTU Settings screen, choose Automatic. Here on the Proxy Server screen, choose Do Not Use and select Test Internet Connection. Wait while the connection is tested.

Where is the Subnet Mask Located in Different Devices?

You can find subnet masks in different devices in the following ways:

1. Find out subnet masks on Windows

Start with the Control Panel and select the Network and Sharing Center option.

Now select your network name and click on details.

Here you will see your IP address and subnet mask in the window.

2. Finding out subnet on macOS

1. Move on to System Preferences and choose Network.
2. Here choose the Advanced option to see more settings.
3. Now choose the option of TCP/IP tab, and here you will find out your IP address and subnet mask.

3. Finding out the subnet mask on iOS

1. Go into Settings and search for the Wi-Fi section.
2. Next, you will search for a network and click on the ‘i’ icon.
3. Here you will find out all network-related details, like the subnet mask: your network security key.

4. Find out the subnet mask on Android

1. Jump into the Settings, and select the Wi-Fi & network section.
2. Now choose your network name in the Wi-Fi section. Choose the Advanced option.
3. Here you will find  out all the network details like subnet mask address.

Conclusion 

What is my subnet mask is a common query while you are curious to know about your IP address and other secure passwords for the network. The process to find out the subnet mask and IP address is different in all the devices. You can consult our guide to find it out properly. Also it is important not to expose your subnet mask of IP address as it may risk your data in the device and your online activity is affected.

FAQs

1.Is it easy to calculate my subnet?

You can find it out by calculating the number of possible subnets. Apply the formula 2n, where n equals the number of host bits borrowed. Like if three host bits are borrowed, then n=3. 23 = 8, so eight subnets are possible if three host bits are borrowed. 

2.Can I access my IP address?

You can find it out by opening the Windows Start menu and clicking Settings. Now you will click Network & internet in the left panel and then click Properties. This is the place where you can find out your local IP address.

3. How can I find out my IP gateway?

Go to search for ‘cmd’ and select Command Prompt. Here you will type ipconfig and press Enter. Now you can see your default gateway next to Default Gateway.