Your computer has two IP addresses you might need to find

Your computer has an IP address — a unique number that identifies it on a network. You may need it to troubleshoot internet problems, set up a printer, connect to a remote computer, or configure your router. There are two types: your local IP address (used on your home or office network) and your public IP address (how the internet sees you). Most of the time you need the local one.

Finding your IP address takes less than a minute and requires no special software. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the process is straightforward on all three.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is what you need to connect devices on your home network.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Network, select your connection, and your IP address appears in the status window.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type cmd or Command Prompt. Click the Command Prompt process to open a black window. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of information appears on your screen.

Look for the section labeled with your connection type — usually Ethernet adapter if you are plugged in with a cable, or Wireless LAN adapter if you are using Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it (something like 192.168.1.105) is your local IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it later.

If you see multiple adapters listed, you only need the one for the connection you are actually using right now. If you are unsure which one, look for the adapter that has an IPv4 Address listed — adapters that are not connected will show no address or say "Media disconnected".

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Click Network. On the left side, you will see a list of connection types. Click the one you are currently using — usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

On the right side of the window, your IP address appears in the status information. It is labeled IP Address and looks like a series of four numbers separated by periods (for example, 192.168.1.50). If you need to copy it, you can click and drag to select the number, then press Command+C to copy it.

If you do not see an IP address listed, your connection may not be active. Check that you are connected to your Wi-Fi network or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in, then return to the Network window.

Finding your local 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 appears on the next line.

If that command does not work, try ip addr show instead. This displays more detailed information. Look for the section labeled inet (not inet6) under your active connection. The IP address is the number that follows inet, before the forward slash.

Most home Linux systems use a local IP address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0. If you see an address that starts with 127.0, that is your computer talking to itself and not what you need.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is different from your local one. It is the address that websites and internet services see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for what is my IP. The search results will show your public IP address at the top of the page.

Alternatively, you can visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io without searching. These sites display your public IP address as soon as the page loads. Your public IP address changes periodically (usually when you restart your router or after several days of being connected), so do not be surprised if it is different the next time you check.

Common reasons you might need your IP address

You need your local IP address when you are setting up a printer on your network and the printer asks for your computer's address. You also need it if you are troubleshooting network problems and your internet provider or tech support asks for it. Some people need it to connect to their computer remotely from another device, or to configure port forwarding on their router.

Your public IP address is less commonly needed, but websites sometimes ask for it when you are reporting a problem or when you are setting up security features. You may also want to know it if you are concerned about your privacy online, since this is the address that can be used to identify your general location.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If you followed the steps above and see no IP address listed, 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 firmly on both ends. Wait a few seconds for the connection to establish, then try the steps again.

If you are still seeing no address after reconnecting, restart your computer and your router. Turn off your router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Once the router lights stabilize (usually within a minute), restart your computer. Then repeat the steps to find your IP address. If the problem continues, your network hardware may need repair, and you should contact your internet provider or a local tech support service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the number after my IP address mean (like /24)?

That number is your subnet mask, shown in a shorthand format. It tells your computer which other devices are on the same local network. You usually do not need to worry about it unless you are setting up advanced network features. For most home networks, you only need the IP address itself.

Why does my IP address start with 169.254?

That means your computer is not connected to your router properly. It is using a fallback address that lets it talk to other computers nearby, but you have no internet. Check that your Wi-Fi is on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in, then restart your computer and router.

Is it safe to share my local IP address with someone?

Your local IP address is only useful on your home or office network, so sharing it with someone outside that network does not let them access anything. Your public IP address is more sensitive — it can be used to identify your general location — but it is already visible to every website you visit.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address can be changed through your router settings, but most people should not do this unless they have a specific reason. Your public IP address changes on its own periodically. If you need to change either one, contact your internet provider or a tech support professional for guidance.