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 labeled IPv4 Address. This is your local IP address — the one your computer uses on your home or office network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. 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 — you can see it in the same Command Prompt window by typing ipconfig /all and looking for "Default Gateway," or you can visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com in your browser. Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Network. Select the network connection you are using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your local IP address appears in the window. It is labeled IP Address.

If you prefer the command line, open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Scroll through the output and look for inet followed by a number. That number is your local IP address.

For your public IP address on Mac, the easiest method is to open a web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com or a similar site. Your public IP appears at the top of the page.

Finding Your IP Address on Linux

Open a terminal window and type hostname -I, then press Enter. Your local IP address displays when ready. This command works on most Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

If that command does not work, try ifconfig or ip addr show. Both display detailed network information. Look for the line that says inet followed by a number — that is your local IP address.

To find your public IP address on Linux, type curl ifconfig.me in the terminal and press Enter. Your public IP appears on the next line.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (used on your home or office network) appears when you run ipconfig on Windows, check Network settings on Mac, or type hostname -I on Linux.
  • Your public IP address (assigned by your internet provider) can be found by visiting whatismyipaddress.com in any web browser or by running ipconfig /all on Windows and looking for the Default Gateway.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0, while public IP addresses are the four-number sequence websites see when you visit them.
  • The Command Prompt method on Windows and the Terminal method on Mac and Linux are faster than clicking through menus if you need your IP address often.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

Your computer has two different IP addresses, and knowing which one you need is important. Your local IP address is used only within your home or office network — it lets your computer talk to your printer, router, and other devices on the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. This address never leaves your network.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how the rest of the internet identifies your entire network. When you visit a website, that website sees your public IP, not your local one. Your public IP changes periodically (sometimes daily, sometimes monthly, depending on your provider), while your local IP usually stays the same as long as you stay on the same network.

If you are troubleshooting a connection problem with a device on your home network, you need the local IP. If you are checking whether a website has blocked you or if you are setting up remote access to your computer, you need the public IP.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

The most common reason to find your IP address is to troubleshoot a network problem. If your printer is not connecting to Wi-Fi, you may need to type your computer's local IP address into a web browser to access the printer's settings. Similarly, if you are setting up a new device on your network, you might need to know your computer's IP address to configure it.

You might also need your public IP address if you are setting up remote access software that lets you control your computer from another location, or if you are reporting a problem to your internet service provider. Some online services also ask for your IP address for security purposes.

What to Do If Your IP Address Changes

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router or if your computer reconnects to the network. If you need a stable local IP address for a device or service, you can set a static IP address in your router settings. This tells your router to always assign the same IP to your computer.

Your public IP address changes automatically based on your internet service provider's schedule. If you need a stable public IP for remote access or other purposes, you can contact your provider about a static public IP, though this usually costs extra per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 192.168 and 10.0 IP addresses?

Both are local IP address ranges that routers use for home and office networks. Your router assigns one or the other depending on how it is configured. Both work the same way — the difference is just which range your router chose. You do not need to change it unless you are having a conflict with another device.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so sharing it is generally safe — websites already know it. Your local IP address should not be shared outside your home or office network, as it could let someone on your network access your computer directly. Never share either address with someone you do not trust.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig?

Each network connection on your computer (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, virtual networks) gets its own IP address. If you are connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, you will see two addresses. Use the one that matches the connection you are actually using.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can change your local IP address through your router settings or your computer's network settings, though this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address is controlled by your internet service provider and cannot be changed by you — it changes on its own schedule, or you can restart your modem to request a new one.

What if ipconfig does not work on my Windows computer?

Make sure you typed the command correctly — it is ipconfig, not ipconfig.exe or other variations. If the Command Prompt window closes when ready, right-click cmd.exe and select "Run as administrator." If you still have trouble, try using the Network settings method instead: right-click the network icon in your taskbar and select "Open Network & Internet settings."