How many bits are in an IPv6 address?

An IPv6 address consists of 128 bits. This is a significant increase from IPv4 addresses, which are only 32 bits long. The structure of an IPv6 address allows for a vastly larger address space, accommodating the growing need for IP address availability as internet-connected devices continue to proliferate. Each IPv6 address is typically represented in hexadecimal format and is divided into eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons.

The infusion of more bits in IPv6 addresses enables a theoretically massive number of unique addresses—specifically, 2^128 possible addresses. This design is critical for the future of internet addressing, addressing the limitations found in IPv4 due to its smaller address space and exhaustion of available addresses.

Understanding the bit length of IPv6 is essential for networking fundamentals, particularly in discussions regarding IP addressing schemes and the transition from IPv4 to IPv6.