Classful vs Classless Addressing

Last Updated : 26 May, 2025

Classful and Classless addressing are methods used in networking to

manage IP addresses. Classful addressing divides IP addresses into fixed
classes (A, B, C, D, E), each with predefined ranges. In contrast, classless
addressing, also known as CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing), offers
more flexibility by allowing addresses to be subdivided into smaller blocks
called subnets. This flexibility helps optimize address allocation and
supports the growth of the internet by efficiently managing IP address
resources.

Classful Addressing
Classful addressing was introduced in 1981, with classful routing, IPv4
addresses were divided into 5 classes(A to E), each with a predetermined
range. The class of an IP address determines the network portion and the
host portion based on its class-specific subnet mask. Classful addressing
was inflexible and led to inefficiencies in address allocation, which
prompted the development of classless addressing (CIDR) for more
efficient use of IP address space.

Classes A-C: unicast addresses

Class D: multicast addresses
Class E: reserved for future use

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 Classful Addressing

Class A

In a class A address, the first bit of the first octet is always '0'. Thus, class
A addresses range from 0.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255(as 01111111 in
binary converts to 127 in decimal). The first 8 bits or the first octet denote
the network portion and the rest 24 bits or the 3 octets belong to the host
portion. Its Subnet mask is 255.0.0.0.

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Example: 10.1.1.1

Exception -

- 127.X.X.X is reserved for loopback

- 0.X.X.X is reserved for default network

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Therefore, the actual range of class A addresses is: 1.0.0.0 to
126.255.255.255

Class B

In a class B address, the first octet would always start with '10'. Thus,
class B addresses range from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255. The first 16
bits or the first two octets denote the network portion and the remaining
16 bits or two octets belong to the host portion. Its Subnet mask is
255.255.0.0.

Example: 172.16.1.1

Class C

In a class C address, the first octet would always start with '110'. Thus,
class C addresses range from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255. The first 24
bits or the first three octets denote the network portion and the rest 8 bits
or the remaining one octet belong to the host portion. Its Subnet mask is
255.255.255.0.

Related searches
Network Ip Address Lookup Ip Address Scheme for Small Network

Example: 192.168.1.1

Class D

Class D is used for multicast addressing and in a class D address the first
octet would always start with '1110'. Thus, class D addresses range from
224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255. Its Subnet mask is not defined.

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Example: 239.2.2.2

Class D addresses are used by routing protocols like OSPF, RIP, etc.

Class E

Class E addresses are reserved for research purposes and future use. The
first octet in a class E address starts with '1111'. Thus, class E addresses
range from 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. Its Subnet mask is not defined.

Class A with a mask of 255.0.0.0 can support 128 Network, 16,777,216

addresses per network and a total of 2,147,483,648 addresses.
Class B with a mask of 255.255.0.0 can support 16,384 Network,
65,536 addresses per network and a total of 1,073,741,824 addresses.
Class C with a mask of 255.255.255.0 can support 2,097,152 Network,
256 addresses per network and a total of 536,870,912 addresses.

But what if someone requires 2000 addresses ?

One way to address this situation would be to provide the person with
class B network. But that would result in a waste of so many addresses.
Another possible way is to provide multiple class C networks, but that too
can cause a problem as there would be too many networks to handle.
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To resolve problems like the one mentioned above CIDR was introduced.

Classless Addressing
Classless Addressing or Classless Inter-Domain Routing was introduced
in 1993 to replace classful addressing. Classless Inter-Domain Routing
(CIDR) is a method for efficiently allocating IP addresses and routing
Internet Protocol (IP) packets. Unlike classful addressing, which divides IP
addresses into fixed classes (A, B, C, etc.), CIDR allows for variable-length
subnet masks (VLSM). This means that networks can be divided into
smaller, more flexible subnets according to their specific needs, rather
than being constrained by predefined class boundaries.

CIDR Notation

In CIDR subnet masks are denoted by /X. For example a subnet of

255.255.255.0 would be denoted by /24. To work a subnet mask in CIDR,
we have to first convert each octet into its respective binary value. For
example, if the subnet is of 255.255.255.0. then :

First Octet

255 has 8 binary 1's when converted to binary

Second Octet

255 has 8 binary 1's when converted to binary

Third Octet

255 has 8 binary 1's when converted to binary

Fourth Octet

0 has 0 binary 1's when converted

Open to
In binary
App
Therefore, in total there are 24 binary 1's, so the subnet mask is /24.

While creating a network in CIDR, a person has to make sure that the
masks are contiguous, i.e. a subnet mask like 10111111.X.X.X can't
exist. With CIDR, we can create Variable Length Subnet Masks, leading to
less wastage of IP addresses. It is not necessary that the divider between
the network and the host portions is at an octet boundary. For example, in
CIDR a subnet mask like 255.224.0.0 or
11111111.11100000.00000000.00000000 can exist.

Difference Between Classful Addressing and Classless

Addressing

Parameter Classful Addressing Classless

Addressing

Classless addressing
In Classful addressing IP came to replace the
addresses are allocated classful addressing
Basics
according to the classes- A and to handle the
to E. issue of allocation of
IP Address.

The changes in the Network There is no such

Network ID and
ID and Host ID depend on restriction of class in
Host ID
the class. classless addressing.

It does not support the It supports the

VLSM Variable Length Subnet Variable Length
Mask (VLSM). Subnet Mask (VLSM).

Bandwidth Classful addressing requires It requires less

more bandwidth. As a result, bandwidth. Thus, fast
it becomes slower and more and less expensive as
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 Parameter Classful Addressing Classless
Addressing

expensive as compared to compared to classful

classless addressing. addressing.

It does not support It supports Classless

CIDR Classless Inter-Domain Inter-Domain Routing
Routing (CIDR). (CIDR).

Updates Regular or periodic updates Triggered Updates

Troubleshooting and
problem detection are easy
Troubleshooting It is not as easy
than classless addressing
and Problem compared to classful
because of the division of
detection addressing.
network, host and subnet
parts in the address.

Network
Division of Host
Host
Address Subnet
Subnet

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Classless Inter Domain Routing
(CIDR)

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