Finding your IP address depends on your operating system, but every method takes less than a minute

Your computer's IP address is a unique number that identifies it on a network — like a mailing address for data. You may need it to troubleshoot internet problems, set up a printer, connect to a remote device, or share files with another computer. The steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but all are straightforward once you know where to look.

There are two types of IP addresses you might encounter: your local IP address (the one your computer uses on your home or office network) and your public IP address (the one your internet service provider assigns to your router, visible to websites you visit). Most of the time you need the local one.

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 IP address appears under "IP Address".
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to display your local IP address.
  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and changes only when you restart your computer or switch networks.
  • To find your public IP address, search "what is my IP" in any web browser — the first result will show it.

Finding your 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 active connection (usually "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are using Wi-Fi). Your local IP address is the number next to "IPv4 Address" — it will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple adapters listed, find the one that shows an IPv4 Address with actual numbers (not all zeros). That is your active connection.

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). In the sidebar, click "Network".

You will see a list of connection types on the left. Click the one you are currently using — either "Wi-Fi" if you are wireless, or "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable. On the right side of the window, your IP address will appear next to "IP Address". It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you do not see an IP address listed, your connection may not be active. Disconnect and reconnect to your network, then check again.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The method depends on your desktop environment, but usually you can right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. If that command does not work, try ip addr instead — this will show more detailed network information. Look for the section labeled with your active connection (usually "eth0" for wired or "wlan0" for wireless) and find the number next to "inet" that starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

Understanding what your IP address tells you

A local IP address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 means it is a private address — one that only works on your home or office network. These addresses are reserved by design so that millions of networks can use the same range without conflict. Your router assigns these addresses automatically to every device that connects.

The last number in your IP address (called the "host" part) is unique to your device on that network. If your address is 192.168.1.105, the 105 identifies your specific computer. Other devices on the same network might be 192.168.1.103 or 192.168.1.110.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider to your router. Websites and online services see this address, not your local one. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" — the first result will display your public IP address prominently.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which will show your public IP along with other information like your approximate location and internet provider. Your public IP address changes only when your router restarts or your service provider reassigns it, which can happen weeks or months apart.

When you need each type of IP address

Use your local IP address when you are setting up devices on your own network — connecting a printer, accessing a security camera, setting up file sharing between computers, or logging into your router's settings page. You need the local address because these devices are on the same network as your computer.

Use your public IP address when you are troubleshooting with your internet service provider, setting up remote access from outside your home, or checking whether a website is blocking your connection. Your public address is what the outside world sees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same after a restart, because your router remembers which address it gave you. However, if your computer is off for several days or your router restarts, you may be assigned a different local address. Your public IP address rarely changes unless your internet goes down for an extended period.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ip addr?

Most computers have more than one network adapter — one for Wi-Fi, one for Ethernet, and sometimes virtual adapters for other purposes. You only need the address for the connection you are actually using. If you are on Wi-Fi, look under the wireless adapter section; if you are plugged in, look under Ethernet.

Can someone use my IP address to hack me?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it is not secret. However, knowing your IP address alone does not let someone access your computer — they would also need to find an open port and exploit a vulnerability. A firewall (which Windows, Mac, and Linux all have built-in) blocks most unauthorized access attempts.

What if ipconfig or ip addr shows no IP address?

This usually means your network connection is not active. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in. Disconnect and reconnect to your network, then run the command again. If it still shows nothing, restart your computer and your router.