Subnet for 10 hosts
A network that needs 10 hosts fits in a /28, mask 255.255.255.240, with 14 usable addresses.
A network built for 10 hosts needs a /28. The mask is 255.255.255.240, and its 14 usable addresses leave 4 spare for growth.
The next smaller block, a /29, only allows 6 usable addresses, which is not enough for 10 hosts. That makes /28 the smallest block that fits.
Enter any address below to see the exact network, broadcast, and host range for a /28 block.
Calculate a /28 network
Accepts CIDR (192.0.2.0/24), IP + mask (192.0.2.0 255.255.255.0), or a bare IP (defaults to /24).
11000000.00000000.00000010.0000000011111111.11111111.11111111.11110000Example: 192.0.2.0/28
Taking 192.0.2.0/28 as a worked example, a /28 block breaks down like this:
| Network address | 192.0.2.0 |
|---|---|
| Usable range | 192.0.2.1 - 192.0.2.14 |
| Broadcast address | 192.0.2.15 |
| Total addresses | 16 |
| Usable hosts | 14 |
Frequently asked questions
What subnet mask do I need for 10 hosts?
A network with 10 hosts fits in a /28, which uses the mask 255.255.255.240 and provides 14 usable addresses.
How many addresses does a /28 block have in total?
A /28 has 16 total addresses, 14 of them usable (the total minus the network and broadcast addresses, except for /31 and /32).
Does a /28 waste any addresses for 10 hosts?
Yes, 4 addresses of headroom. A /28 provides 14 usable addresses for the 10 you need, and the next smaller block, a /29, does not hold enough.
How do I work this out myself?
Find the smallest power of two, minus two, that is at least 10. That takes 4 host bits, which leaves a /28 prefix. See how to calculate a subnet mask for the full method.