Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a longest prefix match in a content addressable memory (CAM) device is described. The CAM device includes a CAM array that may be arbitrarily loaded with CIDR addresses that are not prearranged prior to their entry into the CAM device. For one embodiment, the CAM array is a ternary CAM array that includes CAM cells storing CAM data, mask cells storing prefix mask data for the corresponding CAM cells, a CAM match line for indicating a match between a search key and the CAM data (as masked by the prefix mask data), prefix match lines, and prefix logic circuits for comparing the CAM match line with the prefix mask data. The prefix logic circuits determine the longest prefix among the CAM locations that match the search key, regardless of where the matching locations are logically located in the CAM array.