How many usable IP addresses do you actually get in a /29, /28 or /27? Short answer: total addresses minus two (network and broadcast) — and, if the block is routed to your server instead of configured on-link, you do not lose a third address to a gateway. Here is the full reference from /30 to /24.
IPv4 subnet size table (/30 to /24)
| Prefix | Subnet mask | Total IPs | Usable (classic) | Usable (routed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| /30 | 255.255.255.252 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| /29 | 255.255.255.248 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| /28 | 255.255.255.240 | 16 | 13 | 14 |
| /27 | 255.255.255.224 | 32 | 29 | 30 |
| /26 | 255.255.255.192 | 64 | 61 | 62 |
| /25 | 255.255.255.128 | 128 | 125 | 126 |
| /24 | 255.255.255.0 | 256 | 253 | 254 |
Classic = the gateway lives inside the block (subtract 3). Routed = the block is routed to your server’s existing main IP, so only network and broadcast are lost (subtract 2). TinyServers delivers IPv4 add-ons as routed subnets.
Interactive calculator
Where do the “missing” IPs go?
The first address of every subnet identifies the network itself and the last one is the broadcast address; neither can be assigned to a host. In a classic on-link setup a third address is taken by the router/gateway. With a routed subnet the gateway is your server’s main IP — it sits outside the block, so every host address inside the block stays usable.
Kurz auf Deutsch: die Subnetzmaske für /27 ist 255.255.255.224 — die Tabelle oben listet die Subnetzmasken für alle Prefixe von /30 bis /24.
Which size fits your project?
- /29 (6 usable) — a few extra IPs for mail, small multi-tenant setups or a handful of services: Routed /29 — €8.90/month
- /28 (14 usable) — agencies and container labs that assign an IP per client or per VM: Routed /28 — €14.90/month
- /27 (30 usable) — VPN/proxy pools, larger mail infrastructure, virtualization: Routed /27 — €26.90/month
- /26 and larger — available by quote: contact us with your use case.
For ordering details and worked examples, see Routed IPv4 subnets for VPS: when you need /29, /28 or /27.
FAQ
How many usable IP addresses are in a /27?
A /27 has 32 total addresses; network and broadcast are reserved, leaving 30 usable. On a routed subnet all 30 remain usable on your server, because no address is consumed by a gateway.
What is the subnet mask for a /29?
255.255.255.248 — 8 total addresses, 6 usable hosts.
Why do I lose 2 addresses in every subnet?
The first address identifies the network itself and the last is the broadcast address; neither can be assigned to a host.
Do routed subnets waste an extra IP on the gateway?
No. With a routed subnet the gateway is the main IP of your VPS, which sits outside the block, so every host address inside the block stays usable.
Next step: add a routed subnet to your server from the IPv4 add-ons page, or start with an NVMe VPS Romania plan from €2.48/month.
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