Finding Your IP Address Quickly

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on a network — like a mailing address for data. Every device connected to the internet or a local network has one. You may need it to troubleshoot connection problems, set up a printer, access your computer remotely, or configure network equipment.

The fastest way to find it depends on your operating system. On Windows, you can open Command Prompt and type a single command. On Mac or Linux, you open Terminal and do the same. Both methods take less than a minute and show you both your local address (the one your home network uses) and your public address (the one the internet sees).

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer has two IP addresses: a local one used by your home network and a public one used by the internet.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address when ready.
  • On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to find your local IP address.
  • To find your public IP address, search "what is my IP" in any web browser or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com.
  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and changes only if you restart your router or change network settings.

Finding Your Local IP Address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt into the search box. Click the Command Prompt app when it appears. A black window will open with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will display a list of network information. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one you use to connect to the internet. Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.42. That is your local IP address.

If you see multiple adapters listed, find the one with an IPv4 address that is not 127.0.0.1 (that is your computer talking to itself). Write down the number or take a screenshot if you need to reference it later. You can close Command Prompt by typing exit and pressing Enter.

Finding Your Local IP Address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the left sidebar.

You will see a list of network connections on the left. Click the one you are currently using — usually Wi-Fi if you are on wireless, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. On the right side of the window, you will see your IP address listed next to "IPv4 Address." It will look like 192.168.1.10 or similar.

If you prefer using Terminal instead, click the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass) in the top-right corner, type Terminal, and press Enter. Type ifconfig | grep inet and press Enter. Look for the line that starts with "inet" under your active connection — that is your local IP address.

Finding Your Local IP Address on Linux

Open Terminal by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Open Terminal Here," or by searching for Terminal in your applications menu. Type ip addr and press Enter.

You will see output for each network connection on your system. Look for the section labeled with your connection name — often eth0 for wired or wlan0 for wireless. Next to "inet" you will see your local IP address. Ignore the line that shows 127.0.0.1 — that is your computer's internal loopback address.

If ip addr does not work on your system, try ifconfig instead. The output will be formatted differently but will still show "inet" followed by your IP address. Either command will work on most Linux distributions.

Finding Your Public IP Address

Your public IP address is what websites see when you visit them. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is different from your local address. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my public IP address." Google will display your public IP at the top of the search results.

Alternatively, visit a dedicated site like whatismyipaddress.com, iplocation.net, or checkip.amazonaws.com. These sites show your public IP address when ready when you load them. You do not need to type anything or click any buttons — the page displays it automatically.

Your public IP address changes when your router restarts or when your internet service provider assigns you a new one. This usually happens automatically and you do not need to do anything. If you need a permanent public IP address for remote access or hosting, contact your internet service provider to ask about static IP options.

Understanding the Difference Between Local and Public IP Addresses

Your local IP address is used only within your home or office network. It allows your computer to talk to your router, printer, and other devices on the same network. Local addresses always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. They are assigned by your router and may change if you restart the router or if your device reconnects to the network.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to every website you visit. It is how the internet knows where to send data back to your home. You share this address with all devices in your home that are connected through the same router — they all appear to the internet as coming from the same public IP.

You need your local IP address to access devices on your home network, like a printer or security camera. You need your public IP address if you want to access your computer remotely from outside your home, or if you are setting up port forwarding on your router.

Common Reasons You Might Need Your IP Address

If your printer is not connecting to your computer, you may need to enter your computer's local IP address into the printer's setup page. If you want to access files on your computer from your phone or another device while away from home, you will need your public IP address to set up remote access.

Network troubleshooting often requires your IP address — if your internet is slow or unstable, your internet service provider may ask for it. If you are setting up a home server, security camera system, or network storage device, you will need to know your computer's local IP address to configure it properly.

Some online games or applications require you to know your public IP address to connect with other players or to open ports on your router. If you are having trouble with any networked device or service, having your IP address written down before you need it saves time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same when you restart your computer, as long as you stay on the same network. However, if you restart your router or if your computer disconnects and reconnects to the network, your local IP may change. Your public IP address typically does not change unless your router restarts or your internet service provider reassigns it.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so sharing it with a trusted person or service is generally safe. Your local IP address should not be shared outside your home network. Neither address alone can be used to hack your computer — your router's firewall protects you. However, do not share your IP address with unknown sources or post it publicly online.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ifconfig?

Most computers have multiple network adapters — one for Wi-Fi, one for Ethernet, and sometimes virtual adapters for other purposes. Each adapter can have its own IP address. You only need the address for the adapter you are actually using to connect to the internet. Ignore adapters that show no IP address or that you do not recognize.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address by adjusting your router settings or your computer's network configuration, but this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and you cannot change it directly — restarting your router may cause your provider to assign a new one, but you cannot choose which one.

What if ipconfig or ifconfig does not show an IP address?

If you see "No IP address" or a blank field, your computer is not connected to the network properly. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in. Restart your router and wait 30 seconds, then run the command again. If the problem continues, restart your computer and check your network connection settings.