Using lattice simulations, we study the extent of the conformal window for an $textSU(3)$ gauge theory with $N_f$ Dirac fermions in the fundamental representation. We present evidence that the infrared behavior is conformal for $12 leq N_f leq 16$, governed by an infrared fixed point, while confinement and chiral symmetry breaking are present for $N_f leq 8$.