The fastest way to find your IP address

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on a network — like a mailing address for data. Every device connected to the internet or a local network has one. You can find yours in seconds using built-in tools on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and you do not need to install anything.

The method depends on your operating system. Windows users can open Command Prompt and type one command. Mac users can check System Settings. Linux users can open a terminal. All three routes take under a minute and show you both your local IP address (the one your home router assigns) and your public IP address (the one the internet sees).

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears when you run ipconfig on Windows or check System Settings on Mac — this is the address your home network uses.
  • Your public IP address is what websites and services see; you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Windows Command Prompt and Mac Terminal both show your local address in under 30 seconds with a single command.
  • If you need your IP address for a printer, router, or local network device, use the local address, not the public one.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" — it usually looks like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50.

Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are using Wi-Fi. The IPv4 Address line in that section is your local IP. If you see multiple adapters listed, use the one that shows an active connection (not "Media disconnected").

To find your public IP address instead, close Command Prompt and open any web browser. Search for "what is my IP" and the first result will show the address the internet sees. This is different from your local IP and is assigned by your internet service provider.

Finding your 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 sidebar. Select your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your local IP address appears on the right side of the window next to "IP Address."

If you prefer the terminal method, open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities or search for "Terminal" using Spotlight). Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" (Ethernet) or "en1" (Wi-Fi). Your local IP address appears next to "inet" — ignore the "inet6" line, which is a different type of address.

For your public IP address, open a web browser and search "what is my IP." The result page will display the address your internet provider assigned to your connection.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. This is the simplest method and works on most Linux distributions.

If that command does not work, try ifconfig instead. Look for the section labeled "eth0" (wired connection) or "wlan0" (wireless connection). Your local IP appears next to "inet addr:" or "inet" depending on your Linux version. Ignore lines that start with "inet6" — those are IPv6 addresses, a different format.

To find your public IP address, open Firefox or another browser and search "what is my IP." The first result will show the address assigned by your internet service provider.

The difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your home router and is only visible to devices on your home network. It typically starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. You use this address to connect to printers, smart home devices, network drives, and other equipment on your home network.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to every website and service you visit. Websites use it to know where to send data back to you. Your public IP changes periodically — sometimes daily, sometimes monthly — depending on your provider's settings. Your local IP usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your device has not connected in a long time.

When you need to connect to a device on your home network, always use the local address. When you need to know what address a website sees, use the public address. The two are never the same.

Why you might need your IP address

You need your local IP address to access your router's settings, connect to a network printer, set up remote access to your computer, or troubleshoot network problems. You need your public IP address to set up port forwarding, run a home server, or check what address websites see when you visit them.

If you are having trouble connecting to a device on your network, knowing your local IP helps you verify that your computer is actually connected. If you are concerned about privacy or want to know what information is visible about your connection, your public IP is what you are looking for.

What to do if the commands do not work

If ipconfig on Windows or ifconfig on Mac or Linux does not show an address, your computer may not be connected to a network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in. If you are connected but still see no address, restart your computer and try again.

If you see multiple IP addresses listed, look for the one that is not 127.0.0.1 (that is your computer talking to itself, not a real network address). The address you want usually starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 on a home network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a hardware identifier that only works on your local network. Your IP address is a network address that works across the internet. They serve different purposes and look completely different — MAC addresses are formatted like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E, while IP addresses are formatted like 192.168.1.100.

Can someone find my location from my public IP address?

Someone can find your approximate location — usually your city or region — from your public IP address, but not your exact home address. Your internet service provider knows the exact location, but websites and services typically only see a general area. A VPN masks your public IP entirely.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your public IP address changes because your internet service provider reassigns addresses periodically. Your local IP address usually stays the same, but it can change if you restart your router, do not connect for a long time, or your router's settings change. If you need a local IP that never changes, you can set a static IP in your router settings.

Do I need to know my IP address to use the internet?

No. Your computer handles IP addresses automatically — you do not need to know or type yours to browse the web, send email, or use most applications. You only need to find it if you are setting up a device, troubleshooting a network problem, or configuring advanced features.