What is the length of an IP address in bits?

An IP address, specifically an IPv4 address, is 32 bits in length. This allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses (2^32) in the IPv4 address space. Every IP address is divided into four octets; each octet comprises 8 bits, leading to a total of 32 bits when all four are added together. The 32-bit structure is fundamental to IPv4 networking, influencing how devices communicate across networks and how routing tables are structured.

While there are other types of addresses, such as IPv6, which is 128 bits, the question specifically refers to the length of an IP address without designating a version. Understanding the significance of the 32-bit format assists in grasping networking concepts like subnetting and address allocation within the IPv4 framework.