How to Find the Subnet Mask of Your Computer?

Last Updated : 09 May, 2024

Welcome to today’s tech tips guide to find the subnet mask of your computer. Like your IP address, a subnet mask helps identify devices on a local network. To connect to a network and use internet resources, a computer user must have the idea of a subnet mask. In this article, we will learn the simplest method to find a subnet number.

Before we begin the methods, let’s first understand what a subnet mask is. After that, we’ll learn to find the subnet mask on your computer in Windows, Mac, and Linux using different methods.

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 house network. All device’s 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.’ Basically, 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?

Method 1: Find Subnet Mask Using Command Prompt

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

Step 2: Type 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 Subnet Mask Using 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: Calculate a Subnet Mask from the IP Address.

In cases where you can’t access 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 a 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 TCP/IP tab section, your subnet mask will be mentioned there

How to Find Subnet Mask in a Linux?

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

Step 2: Type ifconfig and press Enter

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. By these methods, you can determine the subnet mask of your specific operating system or by using an online subnet calculator. Another way is to get and install a third-party tool to identify your PC’s subnet mask.However, using third-party software is not recommended and will just occupy storage on your device.