How many bits are in a standard IPv4 address?

A standard IPv4 address consists of 32 bits. This is structured in a format known as dotted-decimal notation, which divides the 32 bits into four segments, each containing 8 bits, resulting in four decimal numbers that range from 0 to 255. For example, an IPv4 address like 192.168.1.1 corresponds to the binary representation of those 32 bits. Understanding the 32-bit structure is crucial for grasping how networks are organized and how devices communicate over the Internet using IPv4 addressing.

The other options relate to different addressing schemes: 16 bits is typical of IPv4 subnet masks, while 64 bits is often associated with certain network technologies like IPv6 link-local addresses, and 128 bits represents a full IPv6 address. Thus, recognizing the distinct sizes helps in distinguishing between IPv4 and IPv6 formats and understanding their applications in modern networking.