The fastest way to find your modem's IP address

Your modem's IP address is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device itself. Look for a label that says "Default Gateway" or lists an address like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can find the same address through your computer or phone in under a minute using the methods below.

The address you are looking for is your local IP address — the one your modem uses to talk to devices inside your home, not the address your internet provider assigns to you. This is the number you type into a web browser to log into your modem's settings page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your modem's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the device; common defaults are 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the "Default Gateway" line.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, and click Details to see the router address.
  • On iPhone or Android, open WiFi settings, tap your network name, and look for the gateway or router address.
  • Once you have the address, type it into a web browser's address bar to reach your modem's login page.

Finding your modem IP on Windows

Open the Command Prompt process. The fastest way is to press the Windows key and type cmd, then press Enter. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information will appear. Look for the line that says "Default Gateway" — the number next to it is your modem's IP address. It will look something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Write it down or copy it.

If you see multiple "Default Gateway" entries, you likely have more than one network connection. The one you want is under the section labeled "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or under "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on WiFi.

Finding your modem IP on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Network.

Select the connection you are using — either WiFi or Ethernet depending on how your Mac is connected. Click the Details button on the right side of the window. A new panel will open showing network details.

Look for the line labeled Router. The IP address next to it is your modem's address. Copy or write it down, then close the window.

Finding your modem IP on iPhone or Android

On iPhone: Open Settings, tap WiFi, and tap the name of your network (the one you are connected to). Scroll down and look for Router or Gateway — the address shown there is your modem's IP.

On Android: Open Settings, go to WiFi or Network and Internet, tap the network you are connected to, and look for Gateway or Router Address. The number shown is your modem's IP address.

If you do not see a gateway or router field, your phone may not display this information in its standard settings. Use a Windows computer or Mac instead, or check the sticker on your modem.

What to do once you have the address

Open a web browser on any device connected to your home network. Type the IP address into the address bar at the top — for example, 192.168.0.1 — and press Enter. A login page should appear.

This page is your modem's settings interface. You will need a username and password to log in. The default credentials are usually printed on the sticker on your modem (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the modem's serial number). If you have changed the password before and do not remember it, you can reset the modem to factory defaults by holding the reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds, though this will erase any custom settings you have made.

Once logged in, you can see your modem's status, restart it, change your WiFi name and password, and adjust other settings. Most people do not need to enter this page often — it is mainly useful if your internet is not working or you want to change your WiFi password.

Why you might need your modem's IP address

The most common reason to find your modem's IP is to restart it when your internet stops working. You can do this from the settings page without unplugging the device. Some people also log in to change their WiFi network name or password, check connection status, or update the modem's firmware when the manufacturer releases a new version.

If your internet provider sent you a combined modem-router unit (sometimes called a gateway), the same IP address controls both devices. The steps above will still work — you are finding the address of that combined unit instead of a separate modem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I type the IP address and nothing happens?

Make sure you are connected to your home WiFi or plugged in with an ethernet cable. The device must be on the same network as the modem to reach its settings page. Also check that you typed the address correctly — even one wrong number will not work. If the address you found was blank or showed 0.0.0.0, try the method on a different device.

Is my modem's IP address the same as my internet IP address?

No. Your modem's local IP (like 192.168.0.1) is only used inside your home. Your internet IP is assigned by your provider and is what websites see when you browse. You can find your internet IP by searching "what is my IP" in any search engine.

Can I change my modem's IP address?

Yes, but there is no reason to unless you have a specific networking reason. You can change it in the modem's settings page under LAN settings or network configuration. If you change it and forget the new address, you can reset the modem to restore the default.

Why does my modem have a different IP than what the sticker says?

If your modem is set to DHCP mode, it may have assigned itself a different address than the printed default. This is normal and not a problem. The address you found through your computer or phone is the correct one to use.