How to Find Your Computer's IP Address on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Finding Your IP Address: The Fastest Routes

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies it on a network — like a mailing address for data. You have two types: a local IP address (used inside your home or office network) and a public IP address (how the internet sees you). The method to find each one differs, and which one you need depends on what you are troubleshooting.

On Windows, the quickest way to find your local IP is to open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address". On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP appears under "IP Address". On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I. For your public IP — the one your internet service provider assigns — you can visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com from any device, and it displays when ready.

Key Takeaways

Your local IP address (the one inside your home network) appears in Command Prompt on Windows by typing ipconfig, in System Settings on Mac, or in a terminal on Linux with hostname -I.
Your public IP address (assigned by your internet provider) shows on any website that displays it, such as whatismyipaddress.com.
Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only when you reconnect to the network; public IPs can change when your modem restarts.
If you need your router's IP address to log in and change settings, it is usually printed on the router itself or found in the same Command Prompt or terminal output.

Finding Your Local IP on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information appears. Look for the section labeled with your network name (usually "Ethernet" if you are wired, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi). The line that says "IPv4 Address" shows your local IP — it will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, find the one that is actually connected. An adapter shows "Media State: Media disconnected" if it is not in use. You only need the IPv4 Address from the adapter you are currently using. Write down the full number if you need it for a printer, security camera, or router login.

Finding Your Local IP 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. Select the network you are connected to — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The IP Address field appears on the right side of the window and displays your local IP when ready.

If you are connected to multiple networks, check each one separately to see which IP belongs to which connection. The IP address shown here is what you use to access your computer from other devices on the same network, such as when setting up file sharing or remote access.

Finding Your Local IP on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address appears on the next line. This command works on most Linux distributions and shows the IP assigned to your active network connection.

If you need more detailed network information, you can also type ip addr and press Enter. This shows all network adapters and their IPs, which is useful if your computer has multiple network connections. Look for the section labeled "inet" under the adapter you are using — that is your IPv4 address.

Finding Your Public IP Address

Your public IP is the address the internet sees when you browse or connect to online services. To find it, open any web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com, myip.com, or ipchicken.com. The page displays your public IP when ready — no login or installation needed. These sites work on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even phones.

Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and can change when your modem restarts or after a period of inactivity. Unlike your local IP, which stays the same as long as you are on the same network, your public IP may be different each time you reconnect. If you need to know your public IP for port forwarding, remote access, or security purposes, check it each time you set up the connection.

Understanding the Difference Between Local and Public IP

A local IP address is used only within your home or office network. Devices on your Wi-Fi or wired connection use local IPs to find and communicate with each other. These addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and are assigned by your router. They do not change unless you manually set them or reconnect to the network after a long time.

A public IP address is assigned to your entire network by your internet service provider. It is how websites, email servers, and online services identify your connection. Your public IP is visible to any website you visit and can be used to locate your approximate geographic location (though not your exact address). When you troubleshoot internet connectivity or set up remote access, you usually need your public IP. When you set up a printer or security camera on your home network, you need your local IP.

Finding Your Router's IP Address

Your router has its own IP address, separate from your computer's. To access your router's settings — to change your Wi-Fi password, port forwarding, or security settings — you need to log in using the router's IP. On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for the line labeled "Default Gateway". That number is your router's IP. On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, and look for "Router". On Linux, type ip route in a terminal and look for the line starting with "default via".

You can also find the router's IP printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself — it usually looks like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Once you have the IP, type it into your web browser's address bar (for example, 192.168.1.1) and press Enter. You will be prompted to log in with a username and password, which are also often printed on the router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

One is your local IP (used inside your network) and one is your public IP (used on the internet). Your local IP lets devices at home find each other. Your public IP is how the internet identifies your connection. Both are normal and necessary.

Does my IP address change?

Your local IP usually stays the same as long as you stay on the same network. Your public IP can change when your modem restarts or after several days of inactivity. If you need a permanent public IP, contact your internet service provider — some plans offer static IPs for an extra fee.

Can someone find my home address from my public IP?

Your public IP shows your approximate city or region, not your street address. Your internet service provider knows which customer owns each IP, but they do not share that information publicly. Your local IP is never visible outside your home network.

What if ipconfig or hostname -I does not show an IP?

Your computer may not be connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is on or your ethernet cable is plugged in. If you are connected but still see no IP, restart your computer and try again. If the problem continues, your router may need to be restarted.

Do I need my IP address to use the internet?

Yes, but you do not need to know it. Your computer and router handle IP addresses automatically. You only need to find your IP when setting up a device on your network, troubleshooting a connection, or accessing your router's settings.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.