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 periods, such as 192.168.1.5 (a local address on your home network) or something like 203.45.67.89 (a public address visible to websites). You may need to find it to troubleshoot network problems, set up a printer or smart device, connect to a remote desktop, or provide it to technical support.

Every device connected to the internet or a local network has an IP address. Your computer actually has two: a local IP address (used only within your home or office network) and a public IP address (the one the outside world sees). Most of the time, you need the local one.

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 Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address shown in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • Your local IP address (starting with 192.168 or 10.) is what you need for home network tasks like printer setup.
  • To find your public IP address, search "what is my IP" in any web browser — the first result will show it.

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 will see a list of network adapters. Look for the one labeled "Ethernet" (if you are plugged in with a cable) or "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" (if you are on Wi-Fi). Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.105. 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, then Status. Scroll down and click "View your network properties." Look for "IPv4 address" in the list. Both methods show the same information; Command Prompt is just faster.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar. Select the network you are connected to — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. On the right side, you will see a button that says "Details" or information displayed directly. Your IP address appears in the window, usually labeled as "IP Address." It will be a number like 192.168.1.50.

If you are more comfortable with the terminal, you can also open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities) and type ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1. Press Enter, and your local IP address will appear. Either method works; use whichever feels easier to you.

Finding Your IP Address on Linux

On Linux, open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will display when ready, usually something like 192.168.1.100. This is the simplest method across all operating systems.

If that command does not work, try ip addr show instead. This shows more detailed information about all your network adapters. Look for "inet" followed by an IP address — that is your local address. The address starting with 127.0.0.1 is your computer talking to itself and can be ignored.

Understanding Local Versus Public IP Addresses

The address you find using the methods above is your local IP address — the one your router assigns to your computer and uses only within your home or office network. This is what you need for almost all home tasks: connecting a printer, setting up a smart speaker, accessing files on another computer at home, or troubleshooting network problems.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see when you visit them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP." The first result will show your public address. You rarely need this unless you are setting up remote access to your computer from outside your home network, or if a website or service asks for it specifically.

Common Reasons Your IP Address Might Change

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router, if your computer has been offline for a while, or if your router is set to assign addresses automatically (which most home routers are). This is usually not a problem for everyday use. However, if you are setting up a printer or other device that needs a fixed address, you may want to assign a static IP address to your computer through your router settings — but that is a separate task beyond finding your current address.

Your public IP address changes less often but can shift if you restart your modem or if your internet service provider reassigns it. Again, this is normal and usually nothing to worry about unless you have specifically set up remote access that depends on a fixed public address.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If the commands above do not show an address, or if you see only 127.0.0.1, 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 again — sometimes it takes a moment for the connection to register.

If you are still stuck, restart your router (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in) and restart your computer. Then run the command or check the settings again. If you still see no address after that, your network adapter may need a driver update or there may be a hardware problem — but in most cases, a restart solves it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network and can change. Your MAC address is a permanent identifier built into your network adapter and almost never changes. They serve different purposes, and you need the IP address for the tasks described here.

Can someone hack me if they know my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so knowing it alone does not give someone access to your computer. However, it can be used to target you with certain attacks. A firewall (which Windows and Mac have built in) blocks most of these. Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your home network, so it is even safer.

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

You may have multiple network adapters — for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, or a virtual network adapter. Look for the one you are actually using to connect to the internet. If you are on Wi-Fi, find the "Wireless LAN adapter" entry. If you are plugged in, find the "Ethernet" entry.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

For most home tasks, no — you can look it up again whenever you need it using the same steps. If you are setting up a device that requires a fixed address, write it down or set a static IP through your router so it does not change.

What if my IP address starts with 169.169?

That means your computer is not properly connected to your network or router. Check that Wi-Fi is on, the ethernet cable is plugged in, and that your router is working. Restart both your computer and router, then check again.