Your computer has two IP addresses you might need to find

Your computer has an IP address — a unique number that identifies it on a network so other devices can send information to it. You actually have two: a local IP address (used only on your home or office network) and a public IP address (the one the wider internet sees). Most of the time you need the local one. Both are straightforward to find in a few seconds using built-in tools on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

The local IP address looks like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50. The public IP address is what websites see when you visit them — your internet service provider assigns it to your router. Knowing your local IP is useful when you need to connect a printer, access a security camera on your network, or troubleshoot a device that isn't connecting. Your public IP matters less often, but you might need it if you're setting up remote access to your computer or diagnosing an internet problem.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and your local IP appears under "IP Address".
  • Your public IP address can be found by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com in any web browser.
  • The local IP address is what you need most often for connecting devices on your home network.
  • If you need to use your IP address regularly, write it down or take a screenshot, because it can change when you restart your router.

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 with your network connection name (usually "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

You can close Command Prompt by typing exit and pressing Enter, or just clicking the X button.

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). In the sidebar, click "Network".

You'll see a list of your network connections on the left. Click the one you're currently using — either "Wi-Fi" if you're wireless, or "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable. On the right side of the window, you'll see "IP Address" with a number next to it. That number is your local IP address.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually do this by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Open Terminal", or by searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. If you're connected to multiple networks, you may see more than one address — the one you need is usually the first one listed.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you connect to a website. To find it, open any web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com or myip.com. The page will display your public IP address prominently at the top.

You can also find your public IP by searching "what is my IP" in Google — the answer appears right at the top of the search results. This is the address your internet service provider assigned to your router, and it's the one that changes if you restart your router or if your service provider reassigns it.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router or if your computer disconnects and reconnects to the network. Most home routers are set to assign addresses automatically using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which means the same device doesn't always get the same address.

If you need a device to keep the same local IP address — for example, so you can always reach a printer at the same number — you can set a static IP address in your router's settings. This is a more advanced step, and the process varies by router model, so check your router's manual or contact your internet service provider if you need help.

Your public IP address changes less often, but it can shift if you restart your modem or if your service provider reassigns it. Most home users don't need to worry about this.

What to do if you can't find your IP address

If the commands above don't show an IP address, or if you see an address starting with 169.254, your computer isn't connected to the network properly. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on (or that your ethernet cable is plugged in), and wait a few seconds for the connection to establish. Then try the steps again.

If you're still not seeing an address, restart your computer and your router. Turn off the router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it's fully restarted (usually one to two minutes), restart your computer and try again. If the problem continues, contact your internet service provider — there may be an issue with your connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between my local IP and my public IP?

Your local IP is used only on your home or office network to identify your computer to other devices like printers and routers. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see when you visit them. You need the local IP to connect devices on your network; you rarely need the public one.

Will my IP address stay the same?

Your local IP can change when you restart your router or reconnect to the network, because most routers assign addresses automatically. Your public IP changes less often but can shift if you restart your modem. If you need a device to always have the same local IP, you can set a static address in your router's settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is safe — it only works on your home network. Sharing your public IP is generally safe too, though it does reveal your approximate location and internet service provider. Never share passwords or other sensitive information, but the IP address itself isn't a security risk.

Why do I need to know my IP address?

You might need your local IP to connect a printer, access a security camera, set up a network drive, or troubleshoot why a device isn't connecting. You rarely need your public IP unless you're setting up remote access to your computer or diagnosing an internet problem with your service provider.