Your IP address is in Settings on Windows and System Preferences on Mac

Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network. Every device connected to the internet has one. On Windows, you find it by opening Settings, going to Network & Internet, and selecting your connection type. On Mac, you open System Preferences, click Network, select your connection, and look for the address listed there.

The process takes less than a minute on either system. You do not need to read anything or restart your computer. The address you see is usually temporary — your internet provider assigns a new one periodically — but it stays the same while you are connected to the same network.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their IP address in Settings under Network & Internet by selecting their active connection type.
  • Mac users open System Preferences, click Network, select their connection, and read the IP address from the window that appears.
  • The quickest method on either system takes under one minute and requires no special tools or software.
  • Your IP address changes when you disconnect and reconnect to your network or when your internet provider assigns a new one.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box. Click Settings when it appears. In the Settings window, select Network & Internet from the left sidebar.

If you are connected by ethernet cable, click Ethernet. If you are using Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi. In the window that opens, you will see your connection listed. Click on the name of your network. Scroll down and look for the section labeled "IP settings." Your IP address appears next to "IPv4 address." It will look like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.5.

If you are using an older version of Windows, the path is slightly different. Open the Control Panel, select Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center. Click your connection name on the left. A window will open showing your IP address under "IPv4 Address."

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Click Network in the list on the left side.

You will see a list of connection types on the left: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and others. Click whichever one you are currently using. The main panel on the right will show your connection details. Your IP address appears next to "IP Address" near the top of the window. Like Windows, it will be four numbers separated by periods.

If you are connected to multiple networks, check each one separately to see which IP address belongs to which connection. The address shown is only for the connection you have selected.

Using the command line if Settings does not show your address

On Windows, you can also find your IP address using the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key and R together, type "cmd" and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type "ipconfig" and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address." This method shows the same information as Settings but can be faster if you need to check it repeatedly.

On Mac, open the Terminal process (found in Applications > Utilities). Type "ifconfig" and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — either "en0" for ethernet or "en1" for Wi-Fi. Find the line that starts with "inet" followed by a space. The number after that space is your IP address.

Both command-line methods show the same address you would see in Settings or System Preferences. Use whichever method feels more comfortable to you.

The difference between your local IP and your public IP

The address you see in Settings or System Preferences is your local IP address. It identifies your computer within your home or office network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. This address is private and only works on your local network.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet provider and identifies your entire network to the outside internet. Websites and online services see your public IP, not your local one. To find your public IP, you would need to visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or similar — Settings and System Preferences do not show it.

Most people looking for their IP address need the local one. If you are troubleshooting a network problem, setting up a printer, or connecting devices at home, use the address from Settings or System Preferences. If you need your public IP for a different reason, a web search will show it to you when ready.

Why you might need to know your IP address

You may need your IP address to set up a printer on your home network, connect to a remote desktop, or troubleshoot a connection problem. Some games and applications ask for it when you are setting up a local connection with other players or devices. Network administrators often need it to manage computers on a business network.

Knowing your IP address is also useful if you are trying to understand why a website or service is not working. Technical support staff sometimes ask for it to help diagnose the problem. It is not sensitive information in the way a password is — your local IP address only works on your own network and is not a security risk to share.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router, disconnect and reconnect to your network, or if your router's settings are configured to assign addresses automatically. This is normal and usually not a problem. If you need a stable address — for example, to set up a printer that other devices will connect to — you can assign a static IP address instead.

On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > More network options > Change adapter options. Right-click your connection and select Properties. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then Properties. Select "Use the following IP address" and enter an address that does not conflict with others on your network. On Mac, open System Preferences > Network, select your connection, click Advanced, go to the TCP/IP tab, and change the "Configure IPv4" dropdown to "Manually."

If you are not comfortable making these changes, your router's settings may also have an option to reserve an IP address for a specific device, which is simpler and safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same on Wi-Fi and ethernet?

No. If your computer is connected to both Wi-Fi and ethernet at the same time, it will have a different local IP address on each connection. Check Settings or System Preferences and select each connection type separately to see both addresses. Your public IP address will be the same for both, since it comes from your internet provider.

Can someone harm my computer if they know my local IP address?

Your local IP address only works on your home or office network. Someone outside that network cannot use it to reach your computer. Your public IP address is visible to websites you visit, but it does not give someone direct access to your files or passwords. Sharing your local IP address with someone on your network is safe if you trust them.

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?

192.168 is a range reserved for private networks. Most home routers use this range by default. Some networks use 10.0 or 172.16 instead. All three ranges are private and only work on local networks. The specific range your router uses depends on how it was configured, but they all work the same way.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

You can find it again anytime by opening Settings or System Preferences, so you do not need to save it. If you are setting up a device that needs to connect to your computer, you may want to note it temporarily. If your IP address is set to change automatically, write it down only if you need it for something that requires a stable address.