How many bits in an IP address?

There are 32 bits in an IP address. Because most humans read and recall decimal numbers better than long binary numbers, the 32 bits are often divided into four 8-bit numbers represented in decimal form.

Each set of 8 bits is represented by a number between 0 and 255, and when you put them together you get what is called "dotted decimal" form of an IP address, such as 255.128.9.9 (i.e., 11111111100000000000100100001001).

Because it is sometimes easier to remember a word rather than a set of numbers, the "domain name" system was invented, so your computer can obtain a translation of a URL into a 32-bit IP address (which can also change from time to time without the URL changing).

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