Like your Device IP Address, a Subnet Mask on Computer helps identify devices on a Local Network. To Connect To Network and use internet resources, you must Find Subnet Mask on Computer.

Getting Details of Subnet Mask is necessary all over the Operating Systems from Windows OS to Linux and MacOS. This article is intended to focus on methods to Identify Subnet Mask on Computer with any Operating System.

What is a Subnet Mask?

In your Home Network, all devices have different IP Addresses but share some similarities. If you consider an Example of a Home Network. All devices’ addresses start with ‘192.168.1,’ but the last part of the Address (Octet) is different.

The part of the address is divided into Network ID ( Same Across All Devices) and Host ID (Unique To Each Device). This is where the Role Of The Subnet Comes in, Different networks can have different sizes for these networks and host portions.

Must Check: Subnet Mask Cheat Sheet – Beginner to Advanced!

Most home networks have a Subnet Mask of ‘255.255.255.0.’ The way it works is explained below with a sample example.

• The octets that are ‘255’ represent the network portion.
• The octets that are ‘0’ represent the host portion.

For example, if a network has an IP Address of 10.10.1.X and a subnet mask of ‘255.255.0.0,’ the first two octets (10.10) are the network portion, and the last two octets (1.X) are the host portion.

How to Find Subnet Mask in a Windows PC?

To Get Details of Subnet Mask on Windows PC, the following methods should be used. Let us check the simple & effective method where the Windows Command Prompt will be used.

Method 1: Find the Subnet Mask Using the Command Prompt

Step 1: Type CMD in the search and open the Command Prompt.

Step 2: Type the IP Configuration command mentioned below and press Enter

ipconfig /all

The ipconfig command displays the network configuration and other network-related information as shown in the figure.

Step 3: Scroll down to Look for the ‘Subnet Mask’ entry under the network adapter information

Method 2: Find the Subnet Mask Using the Control Panel

Step 1: Type Control in the search and open the Control Panel.

Step 2: Click on Network and Internet.

Step 3: Click on Network and Sharing Center.

Step 4: Click on the Network Connection you want to check (as shown below).

Step 5: Click the Details button

Your subnet mask will be listed under the Network Connection Details (as shown below).

Method 3: Find the Subnet Mask Using the IP Address.

In cases where you can’t access the Windows Command Line or Control Panel, you can determine the Subnet Mask using the IP Address itself by identifying the network portion and host portion of the IP address. For detailed steps, refer to, check How do I Find Subnet Mask for an IP Address?

How to Find Subnet Mask in the MacOS?

Step 1: Click on the Apple icon and Go to System Preferences > Network

Step 2: Select the Network Connection you want to check

Step 3: Click the Advanced button at the bottom.

Step 4: Go to the TCP/IP tab section, your subnet mask will be mentioned there

How to Find Subnet Mask in Linux OS?

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Linux Terminal

Step 2: Type ifconfig and press Enter to execute the Linux Command.

ifconfig 

Step 3: Now, Find the subnet mask. The subnet mask usually starts with 255 and is labeled as ‘Mask.’

Conclusion

The Subnet Mask is important because it facilitates communication between devices within the same network. To Determine Subnet Mask of Computer, the above-mentioned steps should be used. Another way is to get and Install Third-Party Tool to Identify PC’s Subnet Mask.

How to Find the Subnet Mask of Your Computer – FAQs

How to Find Subnet Mask on My Computer?

If you are using the Windows Operating System, on the Command Prompt use the command as ipconfig /all. For the Linux Operating System, use the command ipconfig. In the MacOS, you will find the Subnet mask details in the TCP/IP Tab in System Preferences.

How is a Subnet mask different from an IP address?

A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP address. One portion identifies the computer being used as the host, while the other portion identifies the network it is connected to.

What is a Subnet Mask?

The Subnet Mask is an important component in IP Address. The Subnet Mask is the 32-bit Number that divides the IP Address. From the IP Address, the Subnet Mask helps to get the Network & Host Address. Also, the Subnet Mask is highly used in TCP Protocol.

Can I change the subnet mask of my computer?

It is possible to modify your computer’s subnet mask; however, if you do it wrong, your network connection may be disrupted. To prevent connectivity problems, verify the new subnet mask one more time.

How to calculate subnet mask using subnet calculators?

You can calculate subnet masks using online subnet calculators. Just search the online subnet calculator on your browser and choose any reliable subnet calculator, Input your IP address into the calculator. It will then provide you with the subnet mask and other related information network addresses, host ranges, and IP class, etc.