Subnet for 65534 hosts
A network that needs 65534 hosts fits in a /16, mask 255.255.0.0, with 65,534 usable addresses.
A network built for exactly 65534 hosts fits a /16 with no waste. The mask is 255.255.0.0, and all 65,534 of its usable addresses are spoken for.
Go one prefix smaller, to a /17, and the block only holds 32,766 usable addresses, not enough room for 65534 hosts. A /16 is the smallest standard block that fits.
Enter any address below to see the exact network, broadcast, and host range for a /16 block.
Calculate a /16 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).
10101100.00010000.00000000.0000000011111111.11111111.00000000.00000000Example: 172.16.0.0/16
Taking 172.16.0.0/16 as a worked example, a /16 block breaks down like this:
| Network address | 172.16.0.0 |
|---|---|
| Usable range | 172.16.0.1 - 172.16.255.254 |
| Broadcast address | 172.16.255.255 |
| Total addresses | 65,536 |
| Usable hosts | 65,534 |
Frequently asked questions
What subnet mask do I need for 65534 hosts?
A network with 65534 hosts fits in a /16, which uses the mask 255.255.0.0 and provides 65,534 usable addresses.
How many addresses does a /16 block have in total?
A /16 has 65,536 total addresses, 65,534 of them usable (the total minus the network and broadcast addresses, except for /31 and /32).
Is there a smaller subnet that still fits 65534 hosts?
No. A /16 has exactly 65,534 usable addresses, which makes it the smallest standard block that fits 65534 hosts without going over.
How do I work this out myself?
Find the smallest power of two, minus two, that is at least 65534. That takes 16 host bits, which leaves a /16 prefix. See how to calculate a subnet mask for the full method.