Finding Your IP Address on Windows

The fastest way to find your IP address on Windows is to open the Command Prompt and run a single command. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. When the black Command Prompt window opens, type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it — something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.15 — is your local IP address, the one your computer uses on your home or office network. If you see multiple IPv4 addresses listed, the one under "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" is the one you need.

If you want to find your public IP address instead (the one the internet sees when you browse), open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The large number displayed on the page is your public IP.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences and click Network. Select your active connection — either Wi-Fi if you are on wireless or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. Your local IP address appears in the window under the connection name, labeled as IP Address.

You can also use the Terminal app if you prefer the command-line method. Press Command + Space, type terminal, and press Enter. In the Terminal window, type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that starts with inet under your active connection — that is your local IP address.

For your public IP address, use the same method as Windows: open a browser and search "what is my IP" or visit whatismyipaddress.com.

Finding Your IP Address on Linux

On Linux, open a terminal window and type hostname -I, then press Enter. This displays your local IP address when ready. If you want more detailed network information, type ifconfig or ip addr show instead — both commands show all your network interfaces and their addresses.

For your public IP address, use the browser method: search "what is my IP" in any web browser or visit whatismyipaddress.com.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (used on your home or office network) appears in Command Prompt on Windows when you type ipconfig, in System Preferences on Mac under Network, or in Terminal on Linux when you type hostname -I.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only when you switch networks or restart your router.
  • Public IP addresses are assigned by your internet service provider and change periodically unless you pay for a static IP.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

You need your local IP address when you are setting up a printer on your network, accessing your computer remotely, or troubleshooting network problems. You need your public IP address when you are setting up port forwarding, running a home server, or reporting network abuse to your internet service provider.

Some routers and printers require you to type your computer's local IP address into a web browser to access their settings. Knowing how to find it quickly saves time when you are configuring devices or diagnosing why something is not connecting.

The Difference Between Local and Public IP Addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is used only within your home or office network. Every device on your network has its own local IP address. These addresses are private and follow a standard format: they usually begin with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how the rest of the internet identifies your connection. When you visit a website, that website sees your public IP, not your local one. Your public IP changes periodically — sometimes daily, sometimes monthly — unless you pay your internet service provider for a static IP that stays the same.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If the Command Prompt command does not work on Windows, make sure you typed ipconfig correctly and pressed Enter. If you see an error message, your network drivers may need updating. Visit your computer manufacturer's support website and read the latest network drivers for your model.

On Mac, if the Network settings do not show an IP address, your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection may not be active. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select a network, or plug in an Ethernet cable and wait a few seconds for the connection to register.

On Linux, if hostname -I returns nothing, you may not be connected to a network. Check that your Wi-Fi is on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in, then run the command again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same on every device?

No. Each device on your network has its own local IP address. Your phone, laptop, tablet, and printer all have different local IPs. They all share the same public IP address because they all connect to the internet through the same router.

Can someone find me using my IP address?

Your public IP address can be traced to your internet service provider and approximate location (usually your city or region), but not to your exact street address. Your local IP address is visible only to devices on your own network and cannot be seen from the internet.

Why does my IP address change?

Your internet service provider assigns public IP addresses from a pool and recycles them when customers disconnect. Your local IP address changes when you restart your router or when your router's lease period expires, usually every few days or weeks depending on your router's settings.

Do I need to remember my IP address?

No. You can look it up whenever you need it using the methods in this guide. Most people only need to find their IP address a few times a year when setting up a new device or troubleshooting a connection problem.