How many bits are there in a standard IPv4 address?

A standard IPv4 address is composed of 32 bits. This is structured into four octets (or bytes), with each octet consisting of 8 bits. The total number of bits is calculated as 4 octets multiplied by 8 bits per octet, resulting in 32 bits. This design allows for a total of approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses, which was foundational in the development of the internet.

Understanding that IPv4 addresses employ a 32-bit format is crucial for anyone working with network configurations, IP addressing schemes, and troubleshooting, as it directly influences how devices communicate within networks.