Subnet for 50 hosts

A network that needs 50 hosts fits in a /26, mask 255.255.255.192, with 62 usable addresses.

50
Hosts needed
/26
Smallest fitting prefix
255.255.255.192
Subnet mask
62
Usable hosts

A network built for 50 hosts needs a /26. The mask is 255.255.255.192, and its 62 usable addresses leave 12 spare for growth.

The next smaller block, a /27, only allows 30 usable addresses, which is not enough for 50 hosts. That makes /26 the smallest block that fits.

Enter any address below to see the exact network, broadcast, and host range for a /26 block.

Calculate a /26 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).

Network address192.0.2.0
Usable host range192.0.2.1 - 192.0.2.62
Broadcast address192.0.2.63
Usable hosts62
Subnet mask255.255.255.192
Wildcard mask0.0.0.63
CIDR notation192.0.2.0/26
Total addresses64
IP (binary)11000000.00000000.00000010.00000000
Mask (binary)11111111.11111111.11111111.11000000
Try:

Example: 192.0.2.0/26

Taking 192.0.2.0/26 as a worked example, a /26 block breaks down like this:

Network address192.0.2.0
Usable range192.0.2.1 - 192.0.2.62
Broadcast address192.0.2.63
Total addresses64
Usable hosts62

Frequently asked questions

What subnet mask do I need for 50 hosts?

A network with 50 hosts fits in a /26, which uses the mask 255.255.255.192 and provides 62 usable addresses.

How many addresses does a /26 block have in total?

A /26 has 64 total addresses, 62 of them usable (the total minus the network and broadcast addresses, except for /31 and /32).

Does a /26 waste any addresses for 50 hosts?

Yes, 12 addresses of headroom. A /26 provides 62 usable addresses for the 50 you need, and the next smaller block, a /27, does not hold enough.

How do I work this out myself?

Find the smallest power of two, minus two, that is at least 50. That takes 6 host bits, which leaves a /26 prefix. See how to calculate a subnet mask for the full method.