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 — either your home Wi-Fi or the internet at large. It looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.5 (for your local network) or something like 203.45.67.89 (for the internet). You may need to find it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or security camera, or give technical support someone the information they need to help you.

There are two types of IP addresses you might encounter. Your local IP address (or private IP address) is what your device uses within your home or office network. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you browse — it's assigned by your internet service provider and is the same for all devices on your network.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address listed next to "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, select Network, and your local IP address appears in the connection details for your active network.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • To find your public IP address on any device, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Your local IP address may change if you restart your router or if your device reconnects to the network, but this is normal.

Finding Your Local IP Address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to use Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. You will see 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 on Wi-Fi. Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.3. That is your local IP address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and click on the connection name. Scroll down to "IP address" and you will see the same number.

Finding Your Local IP Address on Mac

On Mac, the graphical method is usually faster than the terminal. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar.

You will see your active connection listed — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected. Click on it, and a details panel opens on the right. Your local IP address appears next to "IP Address" near the top of that panel. It will look similar to Windows addresses, such as 192.168.1.10.

If you want to use Terminal instead, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type terminal, and press Enter. Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled en0 (for Ethernet) or en1 (for Wi-Fi), and find the line starting with "inet" — the number after that is your local IP address.

Finding Your Local IP Address on Linux

On Linux, the terminal is the standard tool. Open your terminal process — the exact name depends on your distribution, but it is often called Terminal, Konsole, or GNOME Terminal.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear when ready, usually as a single number like 192.168.1.15. If you are connected to multiple networks, you may see more than one address listed.

Alternatively, type ip addr show and press Enter for more detailed information. Look for lines starting with "inet" under your active connection name — the number after "inet" is your local IP address.

Finding Your Public IP Address

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when you connect. To find it, open any web browser and visit a site designed to show it to you. Common options include whatismyipaddress.com, myip.com, or ipchicken.com. Your public IP address will display prominently on the page.

You can also search "what is my IP" in Google, Bing, or any search engine, and the answer appears at the top of the results page. This method works on any device — phone, tablet, or computer — and requires no special software.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is shared by all devices on your network. It may change if you restart your modem or if your service provider reassigns it, which can happen periodically.

Common Reasons Your IP Address Might Change

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router, if your device loses connection and reconnects, or if your router's settings are configured to reassign addresses frequently. This is normal and usually not a problem unless you have set up a device (like a printer) to work with a specific IP address.

If you need a device to keep the same local IP address, you can set up DHCP reservation in your router settings. This tells your router to always give that device the same address. The exact steps vary by router model, but the option is usually found in the router's admin panel under DHCP or Local Network settings.

Your public IP address is less stable than your local one. If you need a stable public IP for remote access or hosting, contact your internet service provider — they may offer a static IP address as an add-on service, though this usually costs extra.

Troubleshooting If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If ipconfig on Windows shows "No IP address" or a number starting with 169.254, your device is not properly connected to the network. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for the lights to stabilize. Then try the command again.

On Mac or Linux, if the terminal command returns nothing or an error, check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Look for the network icon in your menu bar or system tray — if it shows a warning or disconnected state, click it and reconnect to your network.

If you are connected but still cannot find your IP address, restart your computer. This forces your device to reconnect to the network and request a new address from your router. After restart, run the command or check Settings again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between my local IP and my public IP?

Your local IP is used only within your home or office network and is not visible to the internet. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see when you visit them. All devices on your network share the same public IP but have different local IPs.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is generally safe — it is only useful within your own network. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it is also relatively safe to share, though it does reveal your approximate location. Never share passwords or personal information just because someone asks for your IP.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your local IP address may change when you restart your router or reconnect to the network — this is normal. Your public IP address changes less often but can shift if your modem restarts or your service provider reassigns it. If you need a stable address, contact your internet service provider about a static IP option.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You cannot change your public IP address directly, but restarting your modem may trigger your service provider to assign a new one. For your local IP address, you can set a static address in your device's network settings or configure DHCP reservation in your router, though this requires some technical knowledge.

Do I need my IP address to connect to Wi-Fi?

No. Your device gets an IP address automatically after you connect to Wi-Fi using the network password. You only need to know your IP address if you are troubleshooting a problem, setting up a device like a printer, or helping someone provide technical support.