Finding Your IP Address on Windows

The fastest way to find your IP address on Windows is to open the Command Prompt and type 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 computer's local IP address on your home or office network. This is the address other devices on the same network use to find your computer. If you see multiple IPv4 addresses listed (one for each network connection), the one under "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" is the one you need.

If you want to find your public IP address — the one your internet service provider assigns to your entire network — open any web browser and search for "what is my IP address" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The large number displayed is your public IP, which is how websites and services outside your home network identify you.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Network. Select your active connection — usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list on the left. Your local IP address appears in the main panel next to "IP Address" and typically starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

If you prefer using the Terminal, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type terminal, and press Enter. In the Terminal window, type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (en0 for Ethernet, en1 for Wi-Fi). The line starting with "inet" shows your local IP address.

To find your public IP address on Mac, use the same method as Windows: open a web browser and search for "what is my IP address" or visit a public IP lookup site.

Finding Your IP Address on Linux

Open a Terminal window and type hostname -I, then press Enter. This command displays all local IP addresses assigned to your computer. If you have multiple network connections, you may see more than one address listed.

For more detailed network information, type ip addr show and press Enter. This displays every network interface on your system along with its IP address. Look for the section labeled with your active connection (usually eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi). The line starting with "inet" contains your local IP address.

To find your public IP address on Linux, open a web browser and search for "what is my IP address," or use the Terminal command curl ifconfig.me and press Enter.

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, or in Terminal on Linux with hostname -I.
  • Your public IP address (assigned by your internet service provider) can be found by searching "what is my IP address" in any web browser.
  • Local IP addresses typically start with 192.168 or 10.0, while public IP addresses are four numbers separated by periods that vary widely.
  • You need your local IP address when connecting devices on the same network; you need your public IP address when troubleshooting internet connection issues or setting up remote access.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

Your computer actually has two different IP addresses, and knowing which one you need depends on what you are trying to do. Your local IP address is used only by devices on your home or office network — your phone, printer, smart TV, and other computers connected to the same router. This address never leaves your network and is not visible to the outside internet.

Your public IP address is assigned to your entire network by your internet service provider. Websites, email servers, and online services see this address when you connect to them. It is the same for every device in your home because they all go through the same router to reach the internet. If you restart your router, your public IP address may change, but your local addresses usually stay the same.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

You need your local IP address when you are setting up devices on your home network. If you want to access your computer from another device on the same Wi-Fi network — to stream files, share a printer, or use remote desktop software — you enter the local IP address. You also need it if you are troubleshooting network problems and your router's support page asks for your computer's address.

You need your public IP address when troubleshooting internet connection issues, setting up port forwarding on your router, or if a website is blocking your access and you need to know what address is being blocked. Your public IP is also what appears in your internet service provider's logs if there is a problem with your connection.

Common Mistakes When Finding Your IP Address

The most common mistake is confusing your local IP address with your public IP address. If you run ipconfig on Windows and see an address starting with 192.168, that is your local address — it will not work if you try to use it to access your computer from outside your home network. Always check a public IP lookup site if you need the address that works from the internet.

Another mistake is looking at the wrong network adapter. If your computer has both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections, you will see two different local IP addresses in the ipconfig output. Use the address for whichever connection type you are actually using — the Ethernet address if you are plugged in with a cable, the Wi-Fi address if you are connected wirelessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same when you restart, because your router remembers which device it is. Your public IP address may change when you restart your router (not your computer), but many internet service providers assign the same public IP for months or years. If your public IP changes and you need it to stay the same, contact your internet service provider about a static IP option.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites already see it every time you visit them. Sharing your local IP address is safe only with people on your home network. Never share either address with someone you do not trust, because a malicious person could use it to attempt unauthorized access to your computer or network.

What if ipconfig shows multiple IPv4 addresses?

Multiple addresses usually mean your computer has more than one network connection active — for example, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi plugged in at the same time. Use the address under the connection type you are actually using. If you only use one connection, you can disable the other in Network Settings to reduce confusion.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can be changed in your router's settings, though this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and cannot be changed unless you contact them to request a static IP (which usually costs extra). Restarting your router may change your public IP, but there is no may provide it will be different.