What Your IP Address Is and Why You Might Need It

Your computer's IP address is a unique number that identifies your device on a network. It looks like four numbers separated by dots — for example, 192.168.1.5 — and it tells other computers and servers where to send information back to you. You might need to find it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or router, join a video call, or give technical support to someone helping you fix something.

There are two types of IP addresses you might encounter. Your local IP address (also called a private IP address) is what your device uses inside your home or office network. Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees — the one your internet service provider assigns to your whole household or business. Most of the time, you need the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their local IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users can open System Preferences, click Network, select their connection, and read the IP address shown in the window.
  • Linux users can open a terminal and type ip addr or ifconfig to see all network addresses on the machine.
  • Your public IP address (what the outside internet sees) can be found by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com in any web browser.
  • If you see an address starting with 192.168 or 10.0, that is your local IP address; if it starts with something else, it is likely your public one.

Finding Your IP Address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to use Command Prompt. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window will open with white text.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. You will see a list of information. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one matches how your computer connects to the internet. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your local IP address. It will usually start with 192.168 or 10.0.

If you want to find your public IP address instead, close Command Prompt and open your web browser. Go to whatismyipaddress.com or icanhazip.com. The page will display the IP address that the outside internet sees when you connect to it.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer versions). Click the "Network" icon.

On the left side, you will see a list of connection types. Click whichever one you are using — "Wi-Fi" if you are on wireless, or "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable. On the right side of the window, you will see your local IP address listed next to "IP Address". It will usually start with 192.168.

To find your public IP address, open Safari or another web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com. The page will show the address that outside networks see.

Finding Your 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 ip addr and press Enter. You will see a list of all network devices on your computer. Look for the section labeled "inet" (not "inet6") under the connection you are using. The number next to "inet" is your local IP address. It will usually start with 192.168 or 10.0.

If ip addr does not work on your system, try typing ifconfig instead. The output will look different, but you are still looking for a line labeled "inet" with a number next to it. To find your public IP address, open a web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com.

Understanding What the Numbers Mean

IP addresses follow a pattern that tells you something about where they come from. If your address starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16, it is a private IP address — one that only works inside your local network. These are reserved by design and every home network uses them. You cannot reach a device using a private IP address from outside your home network.

If your address starts with any other number, it is likely a public IP address — one that is unique across the entire internet. Public addresses are what allow you to connect to websites and services outside your home. Your internet service provider assigns one to your household, and all your devices share it when they talk to the outside world.

The four sections of an IP address are called octets. Each one can be a number from 0 to 255. When someone asks for your IP address to help you troubleshoot, they almost always mean your local IP address, not your public one.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If you followed the steps above and do not see an IP address, your computer may not be connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or that your ethernet cable is plugged in. Wait a few seconds and try the steps again.

If you are on Windows and Command Prompt shows "IPv4 Address" as blank or missing, try unplugging your ethernet cable or turning Wi-Fi off and back on. Then run ipconfig again. On Mac, if the Network window shows "Not Connected", click "Wi-Fi" on the left and select your network name, then enter your password.

If you still see no address after reconnecting, restart your computer and try once more. If the problem continues, your router or network adapter may need attention — contact your internet service provider or the person who manages your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address (the one starting with 192.168) is generally safe — it only works inside your home network. Sharing your public IP address is also low-risk in most cases, though it is not necessary for most tasks. Never share it with someone you do not trust, and never give out any passwords or account information along with it.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your local IP address usually stays the same as long as you stay connected to the same network. Your public IP address may change when you restart your router or after a period of inactivity — this is normal and controlled by your internet service provider. If you need a stable public IP address for a specific reason, contact your provider about a static IP option.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older standard and uses four numbers separated by dots (like 192.168.1.5). IPv6 is the newer standard and uses longer addresses with letters and numbers (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000). Most home networks still use IPv4, but IPv6 is becoming more common. For everyday use, you can ignore the difference.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can sometimes be changed in your router's settings, but there is usually no reason to do so. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and cannot be changed by you directly — restarting your router may cause it to change, but you cannot choose a specific one.