Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
What is a "word" in computer architecture and how does word size vary?
A word is the machine's natural integer/pointer size — 4 bytes on a 32-bit CPU, 8 bytes on a 64-bit CPU — and it sets how much memory can be addressed.
| Architecture | Word Size | Address Range |
|---|---|---|
| 32-bit | 4 bytes | 4 GB (2³² addresses) |
| 64-bit | 8 bytes | 16 exabytes (2⁶⁴ addresses) |
Most modern machines are 64-bit, but many programs compiled for 32-bit compatibility.
Key point: Word size determines the maximum addressable memory.
Go deeper:
Word (computer architecture) (Wikipedia) — how the machine word size shapes registers, addresses and data types.