Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network

Your IP address is a unique number assigned to your computer whenever it connects to the internet or a local network. It works like a mailing address — it tells other computers and servers where to send information back to you. Every device connected to a network has one, and you may need to know yours to troubleshoot connection problems, set up a printer, access your computer remotely, or configure network settings.

The method to find your IP address depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. Each operating system stores this information in a different place, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them. You will see two types of addresses: your local IP address (used on your home or office network) and your public IP address (the one the wider internet sees).

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 Preferences, select Network, and your IP address appears in the connection details for your active network.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to display your local IP address.
  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168, 10, or 172 and is used only within your home or office network.
  • To find your public IP address, search "what is my IP" in any web browser — the result is what the internet sees.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search box. Click on Command Prompt 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 network connection name (usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are using Wi-Fi). Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" and looks like four numbers separated by periods — for example, 192.168.1.105.

If you have multiple network connections listed, find the one that shows "Connected" or has an IPv4 address. The others can be ignored. You can close Command Prompt by typing exit and pressing Enter.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer versions). In the window that opens, click "Network".

On the left side, you will see a list of network connections. Click the one you are currently using — it will have a green dot next to it. The right side of the window will show your connection details. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" and looks like four numbers separated by periods.

If you are using Wi-Fi, the connection is labeled "Wi-Fi". If you are using a wired connection, it is labeled "Ethernet". Close System Preferences when you have the information you need.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. On most Linux systems, you can right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal", or press Ctrl+Alt+T.

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 information — look for the section labeled "inet" under your active network connection (usually "eth0" for wired or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi). Your IP address appears next to "inet".

Both commands show the same information in different formats. Either one will give you what you need. Close the terminal when you are done.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you found using the methods above is your local IP address. It is used only within your home or office network and is not visible to the wider internet. Local IP addresses always start with 192.168, 10, or 172 followed by other numbers. These ranges are reserved specifically for private networks.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites and servers see when you connect to them. To find your public IP address, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP". The first result will show a number that looks similar to your local address but is assigned to your internet connection, not your computer directly.

You need your local IP address to connect to devices on your home network, like a printer or security camera. You need your public IP address if you want to access your computer remotely from outside your home or if you are troubleshooting issues with your internet service provider.

Why you might need to know your IP address

Network troubleshooting is the most common reason. If your internet is not working, your internet service provider may ask for your public IP address to check their records. If a device on your home network is not responding, you may need the local IP address to access its settings through a web browser.

Setting up shared devices like printers or network storage also requires knowing your computer's local IP address. Some people need it to configure remote access software or to set up port forwarding on their router. Gamers sometimes need it to host multiplayer sessions or to troubleshoot lag.

If you are running a web server or other service from your computer, you will need both addresses — your local IP to configure the service, and your public IP to tell others how to reach it from outside your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four numbers separated by periods (like 192.168.1.1) and are the standard format most people see. IPv6 addresses use a longer format with letters and numbers (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) and are becoming more common as the internet runs out of IPv4 addresses. For most home users, you will only need to know your IPv4 address.

Does my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same as long as you stay on the same network, though it can change if you restart your router or if your router is set to reassign addresses. Your public IP address can change when you restart your modem or when your internet service provider updates their systems, though many providers assign the same public IP for months or years. If you need a permanent address, you can contact your provider about a static IP.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is safe — it only works within your home or office network. Sharing your public IP address carries minimal risk in most cases, though it is not necessary to give it out unless someone specifically asks for troubleshooting purposes. Never share it with unknown sources or websites that claim they need it to verify your identity.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address can sometimes be changed through your router settings, though this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address cannot be changed directly, but restarting your modem will often assign you a new one. If you need a permanent public IP address that does not change, contact your internet service provider about purchasing a static IP.

What if I cannot find my IP address using these methods?

Check that you are looking at the correct network connection — make sure the one you selected shows as "Connected" or "Active". If you are using a VPN, the address shown may be from the VPN server instead of your actual connection. Restart your computer and try again. If the problem continues, restart your router and reconnect to your network.