IPv4 Block Sizes: /24 vs /23 vs /22 Pricing Guide

So you are shopping for IPv4 blocks. For most of us, it comes down to /24, /23, or /22. Picking the right one is not just a technical checkbox. It hits your budget. It affects your routing table. And it determines how easy it is to sell later if your needs change.

I have watched this market shift for years. Let me tell you, the pricing does not scale the way you might expect. Here is what actually matters.

Why Block Size Actually Matters

CIDR blocks. The jargon is dry, but the math is simple. A /24 gives you 256 IPs. A /23 doubles that to 512. A /22 gives you 1024. The thing is, the market does not price them linearly. Understanding exactly why is essential if you do not want to overpay.

• Scalability. Bigger blocks keep the routing table clean. But you have to buy them outright. Is the flexibility worth the cash?
• Resale value. This is the big one. A /24 is easy to sell. A /22 can sit on the market for months.
• Compatibility. Some RIRs or network equipment hate fragmented space. A single /23 is often cleaner than two /24s.

Pricing Per Block (The Numbers)

Here is the snapshot. This data comes from listings on IP4 Market in 2024-2025. Clean blocks, verified sellers. The numbers do not lie.

Prices vary by region, RIR (ARIN/RIPE/APNIC), and block reputation. Always verify with IP4 Market’s seller database. (And honestly, check the reputation. A blacklisted block is worth nothing.)

Cost Per IP: The Metric that Matters

This is the metric that usually catches people off guard. The cost per IP.

• /24: ~$15-$23 per IP. It is the premium you pay for liquidity.
• /23: ~$14-$20 per IP. Slight discount.
• /22: ~$12-$18 per IP. Best value, but the biggest check to write.

Why the discrepancy? Because a /24 is the smallest block most networks will touch. It is the gold standard for quick trades. That liquidity carries a markup. You are paying for the ability to get out of it fast.

How to Pick the Right Block

So how do you actually choose without regretting it later? Here is the framework I use.

When to Buy a /24

Reach for a /24 when you think small, or when you value flexibility.

• Small businesses needing a single public subnet
• Testing or temp projects. Easy to spin up, easy to shut down.
• Meeting RIR minimum allocation sizes
• Minimal upfront cash

Tip: A /24 is the most traded block on the market. If you need to flip it, this is your safest bet.

When to Buy a /23

A /23 sits in the middle. 512 IPs. Not too big, not too small.

• Growing networks that need a solid 512 IPs
• Multiple VLANs or public services
• Way cleaner than trying to route two /24s

Warning: Some RIRs have annoying transfer fees for /23s compared to /24s. Check the fine print.

When to Buy a /22

• Data centers. Large ISPs.
• You are planning for years of growth without renumbering.

Note: The per-IP price is the lowest you will see. But it is a big check. If you do not need 1024 IPs, you are sitting on dead capital. Do not buy a /22 just for the discount.

What the Market Looks Like Now

The market has not cooled off. Since 2020, prices have mostly climbed. Three things stand out:

• Clean blocks are gold. If a range has a spam history, you do not want it. Clean ones sell for 10-20% more. Worth it.
• Location matters. APNIC blocks (Asia-Pacific) generally run cheaper than ARIN (US).
• Leasing is booming. Short-term needs? Just lease a /24. Do not buy a /22 you won’t fill.

The Practical Checklist

1. Total cost. Transfer fees alone are a few hundred. Legal costs too. Don’t ignore them.
2. RIR limits. Some registries cap how many /24s you can hold. Check before you buy.
3. Compare sellers. IP4 Market has a comparison tool. Use it to see the full range.
4. Consider leasing. If it is temporary, stop trying to buy a /22. Just lease a /24.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buying IP space is rarely fun. But it does not have to be risky. IP4 Market keeps the listings clean and the transactions secure. Find a block that actually fits your network. Not just your spreadsheet.

Published by IP4 Market.