Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator
Calculate capacity for a specified prefix.
Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator: inputs and results
Enter an IP address, CIDR prefix, or range. Then check its first and last address below.
Calculated Boundaries & ParametersReady
Key Capabilities
- •100% Client-Side: Zero telemetry or server latency.
- •RFC Compliant: Exact 32-bit and 128-bit integer precision.
- •Quick Copy: Instant access to CIDR, mask, and range bounds.
- •Cross-Platform: Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers.
Related IPv4 Subnetting & RangeAll Tools
IPv4 Range Calculator
Find address boundaries from a prefix.
IPv4 Subnet Calculator
Calculate subnet details from address and mask.
Network Address Calculator
Find the subnet’s network address.
IPv4 Broadcast Address Calculator
Find broadcast addresses where applicable.
First and Last Address Calculator
Identify a range’s endpoints.
Usable IPv4 Host Range Calculator
Apply the selected subnet-use rules.
How Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator Works?
This tool works by converting a prefix length into the number of usable hosts, then applying a planned fill target to show the practical device capacity.
Enter a prefix
Type a prefix such as
/23.Compute usable hosts
2^(32 − 23) − 2 = 510 usable hosts.
Apply a fill target
Many teams plan to 80 % utilization. 510 × 0.8 = 408 devices.
Show subnets per parent
The calculator shows how many /23 subnets fit in a /16 parent: 2^(23 − 16) = 128.
Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator Formula
The formula is Capacity = 2^(32 − p) − 2, and the planned capacity equals Capacity × Fill Target.
Usable capacity
C = 2^(32−p) − 2Standard subnets from /0 to /30.
Planned capacity
C_plan = floor(C × F)F is the fill target, for example 0.8.
Subnets per /16
S = 2^(p − 16)Valid for prefixes /16 to /32.
Hosts per /16
S × CThe total device capacity of a /16 carved into prefix p.
Worked example: /23 at an 80 % fill target
Capacity = 2^9 − 2 = 510 hosts Planned = floor(510 × 0.8) = 408 hosts Per /16 = 2^(23−16) = 128 subnets Hosts / /16 = 128 × 510 = 65,280 hosts
Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator Conversion Table
The table lists usable capacity, planned capacity at 80 %, and subnets per /16 for 13 prefixes.
| Prefix | Subnet Mask | Usable Hosts | Planned at 80 % | Subnets per /16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| /16 | 255.255.0.0 | 65,534 | 52,427 | 1 |
| /17 | 255.255.128.0 | 32,766 | 26,212 | 2 |
| /18 | 255.255.192.0 | 16,382 | 13,105 | 4 |
| /19 | 255.255.224.0 | 8,190 | 6,552 | 8 |
| /20 | 255.255.240.0 | 4,094 | 3,275 | 16 |
| /21 | 255.255.248.0 | 2,046 | 1,636 | 32 |
| /22 | 255.255.252.0 | 1,022 | 817 | 64 |
| /23 | 255.255.254.0 | 510 | 408 | 128 |
| /24 | 255.255.255.0 | 254 | 203 | 256 |
| /25 | 255.255.255.128 | 126 | 100 | 512 |
| /26 | 255.255.255.192 | 62 | 49 | 1,024 |
| /27 | 255.255.255.224 | 30 | 24 | 2,048 |
| /28 | 255.255.255.240 | 14 | 11 | 4,096 |
What is Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator?
The Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator is a tool that returns how many devices an IPv4 prefix supports, both at full capacity and at a planned utilization target.
Full capacity counts every usable host. Planned capacity leaves room for growth, DHCP lease overlap, and temporary devices. A /24 has 254 usable hosts and 203 planned hosts at 80 %.
The calculator works in the opposite direction of the Host Requirement to Prefix Calculator. Engineers start with a prefix they already own and read off how many devices fit inside it.
What are the uses of Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator?
There are 5 main uses of the Prefix to Host Capacity Calculator, including site capacity checks, DHCP planning, and procurement.
Checking existing subnets
A /25 with 110 devices runs at 87 % of 126 hosts. The calculator flags subnets above the fill target.
Planning DHCP lease headroom
Short DHCP leases and roaming clients need spare addresses. The planned value reserves 20 % of the pool.
Carving a parent block
A /16 split into /22 subnets gives 64 subnets of 1,022 hosts each.
Estimating site capacity
Branch offices with a /24 support about 200 devices at 80 % fill.
Supporting procurement decisions
Teams compare the device capacity of a /22 and a /21 before buying or requesting address space.