What an IP address is and why you might need yours

Your computer's IP address is a unique number that identifies it on a network — either your home network or the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5 (a local address on your home network) or something like 203.45.67.89 (a public address the internet sees). You need to know your IP address when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer or smart home device, connecting to a remote computer, or helping a tech support person diagnose an issue.

Your computer actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address that only devices on your home network can see, and a public IP address that the wider internet sees. Most of the time, you're looking for the local one — it's what you use to connect to devices in your house.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 Address" under your network adapter.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Network and click your active connection to see the IP address displayed at the top of the window.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is what you use to reach devices on your home network.
  • To find your public IP address (what the internet sees), search "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your 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. Type ipconfig and press Enter. You'll see a list of network adapters. Look for the one that's currently connected — it will say "Ethernet adapter" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi. Under that adapter, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it 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, then select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected. Click the network you're currently on, scroll down, and you'll see "IPv4 address" listed there.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, the graphical method is usually easiest. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. You'll see a list of connection types on the left. Click whichever one you're using — Wi-Fi or Ethernet. On the right side of the window, at the top, you'll see "IP Address" followed by your local IP address.

If you want to use the terminal instead, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type terminal, and press Enter. In the terminal window, type ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1 and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear in the output.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window — the method varies by distribution, but usually you can right-click 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 display when ready. If you have multiple network adapters, you may see more than one address; the one you're currently using is the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

An alternative command that works on most Linux systems is ip addr show. This displays more detailed information about all your network adapters and their addresses.

Understanding what the numbers mean

A local IP address on your home network almost always starts with 192.168 or 10.0. The numbers after that identify your specific device. Your router assigns these addresses automatically using something called DHCP — you don't have to set them yourself. These addresses only work on your home network; if you tried to use one outside your house, it wouldn't reach anything.

A public IP address is what the internet uses to find your home network. It's assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically — sometimes every few months, sometimes every few days. You can see your public IP address by opening any web browser and searching for "what is my IP". The result will show you the address that websites and internet services see when you connect to them.

When you need to write down your IP address

If you're setting up a network printer, a security camera, or a smart home device, you'll often need to type your computer's local IP address into a web browser to reach that device's settings page. Write it down or take a screenshot so you have it handy. If your IP address changes — which can happen if your router restarts or your computer disconnects and reconnects — you can always find the new one using the same steps above.

If a tech support person asks for your IP address and you're not sure which one they mean, ask whether they want your local address (for home network issues) or your public address (for internet connection issues). Most of the time, they want the local one.

What to do if you can't find your IP address

If you follow the steps above and see no IP address listed, your computer is not currently connected to a network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your ethernet cable is plugged in. If you're on Wi-Fi, make sure you've selected your network and entered the password. Then run the command or check the settings again.

If you're still not seeing an address after confirming you're connected, restart your computer and try again. If the problem persists, your network adapter may not be working correctly — this is when you'd want to contact your internet service provider or a local tech support person, as it usually requires driver updates or hardware troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different identifier that only works on your local network; your IP address is what identifies you on the internet or your home network. You rarely need your MAC address unless you're setting up advanced network features like MAC filtering.

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts or your computer disconnects from the network for a while, though it usually stays the same for long periods. Your public IP address changes less frequently but will shift over weeks or months. If you need an address to stay constant, you can set a static IP address in your router settings, but this is rarely necessary for home use.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your local IP address is safe to share — it only works on your home network. Your public IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it isn't a security risk by itself. However, don't share it with people you don't trust, as it can be used to attempt network attacks.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and changes automatically. You can manually set a static local IP address in your network settings if needed, but this is uncommon. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider; you can't change it directly, but it will change on its own over time.