Tech
What’s Wrong with 185.63.263.20? A Quick Guide to Valid IPs

If you have come across the IP address 185.63.263.20 and wondered whether it is real or not, you are not alone. It looks like a regular IP address, but there is actually something wrong with it. This article will explain what makes an IP address valid, why 185.63.263.20 is not valid, and how you can check and understand IP addresses better. Whether you are a beginner or someone who wants to understand internet basics, this guide will help you.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a unique number used to identify a device connected to a network. Every device that connects to the internet has an IP address. It acts like an address so that computers can send and receive data correctly. Without IP addresses, communication over the Internet would not be possible.
There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. The one most people are familiar with is IPv4.
What Is IPv4?
IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the most common format and uses a 32-bit address space. This means it can have about 4.3 billion different IP addresses. An IPv4 address looks like this: 192.168.1.1
IPv4 addresses are written in four parts, separated by periods. Each part is called an octet. Every octet must be a number between 0 and 255. For example:
- 8.8.8.8 is a valid IP address
- 192.168.0.1 is also valid
- 300.1.2.3 is not valid because 300 is too high
Why 185.63.263.20 Is Not Valid
Now let’s look at the IP address 185.63.263.20. At first glance, it looks like a normal IPv4 address because it has four parts separated by dots. But if you look closely, you will notice the third part is 263. This is the problem.
Each octet in an IPv4 address must be between 0 and 255. The number 263 is too high. Because of this, 185.63.263.20 is not a valid IPv4 address. It will not work in networking systems that follow proper IP address formats.
To summarize:
- 185 – valid
- 63 – valid
- 263 – not valid (should be between 0 and 255)
- 20 – valid
How to Spot an Invalid IP Address
To check if an IP address is valid, follow these simple steps:
Using these steps, you can check any IPv4 address. If any part breaks the rules, the address is not valid.
What Happens When You Use an Invalid IP?
If you try to use an invalid IP address like 185.63.263.20, the system will not accept it. Here are some things that can happen:
- A website will not load
- A device will not connect to the network
- The command line will give an error
- Network tools will reject the IP
In short, invalid IP addresses are not useful. They cannot be used to connect to anything on the internet.
IPv6: A Quick Mention
Besides IPv4, there is another version called IPv6. It was introduced because the world was running out of IPv4 addresses. IPv6 addresses look very different. They use 128 bits and are written in hexadecimal, like this:
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
IPv6 addresses are more complex but allow for many more devices to connect. However, IPv4 is still used more widely, especially in home and business networks.
How to Find Your IP Address
If you want to know your IP address, you can easily check it. Here’s how:
For Windows:
- Open the Command Prompt
- Type ipconfig and press Enter
- Look for “IPv4 Address”
For macOS:
- Open System Preferences
- Click on Network
- Select your connection and look for the IP address
For your public IP (the one the internet sees), you can simply visit websites like:
- whatismyip.com
- ipchicken.com
- google.com (search “what is my IP”)
IP Addresses in Everyday Use
You may not notice IP addresses in your day-to-day life, but they work behind the scenes all the time. They help:
- Your computer connects to websites
- Emails reach the correct destination
- Video calls work smoothly
- Apps communicate with servers
IP addresses are the foundation of how data moves online.
Tips to Avoid IP Errors
To make sure you are using the correct IP format, follow these tips:
- Never enter numbers above 255 in any section
- Do not use letters or special characters
- Always use four parts in IPv4 format
- Double-check before using an IP address in settings
Using a valid IP address is important when setting up routers, accessing local networks, or using remote desktop tools.
Conclusion
The IP address 185.63.263.20 is invalid because 263 is not allowed in an IPv4 address. A proper IP address must have four parts, and each number must be between 0 and 255. Understanding how IP addresses work is useful for anyone who uses the internet. Knowing what makes an address valid or invalid allows you to avoid errors and better understand how networks function.
If you ever see an IP address that looks strange, just break it down and check each part. It only takes a few seconds to confirm whether it’s valid or not. And now, thanks to this guide, you know exactly what to look for.