Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on a network

Your computer has two IP addresses: a local IP address that identifies it on your home or office network, and a public IP address that identifies your connection to the internet. The local address looks like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.12. The public address is what websites see when you visit them. Both are useful to know — the local one for connecting devices at home, the public one for troubleshooting internet problems or setting up remote access.

Finding either one takes less than a minute and requires no special tools. The steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but all three methods are straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings on Windows, System Preferences on Mac, or the terminal on Linux.
  • Your public IP address is visible on any website that displays it, such as whatismyipaddress.com or similar sites.
  • Windows users can also type ipconfig in Command Prompt to see both local and network details at once.
  • Mac users can open System Preferences, select Network, and read the IP address directly from the active connection.
  • Linux users open a terminal and type hostname -I to see the local address when ready.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Network & internet on the left side. Select Wi-Fi if you are connected wirelessly, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. Click the name of your network. Scroll down and you will see IPv4 address — that is your local IP address.

If you prefer the command line, open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line labeled IPv4 Address under your active connection. This method also shows your gateway address and other network details in one view.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click Network on the left sidebar. Select your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list. Your local IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled IPv4 Address.

You can also use the terminal for a faster lookup. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the line that says inet followed by a number — that is your local IP address. The terminal method is useful if you need to check this information repeatedly.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. This is the fastest method across all operating systems and works on any Linux distribution.

If you want more detailed network information, type ip addr show and press Enter. This displays all network interfaces and their associated IP addresses. You can also use ifconfig if it is installed on your system, though hostname -I is more reliable on modern Linux distributions.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is the one your internet service provider assigns to your connection. Websites see this address when you visit them. To find it, open any web browser and visit a site that displays your public IP, such as whatismyipaddress.com, myip.com, or ipchicken.com. Your public address will appear when ready on the page — usually a single line of numbers and dots.

You can also search "what is my IP" in Google or another search engine, and the result will show at the top of the page. This method requires no navigation to a separate website and works on any device with internet access.

Why you might need each address

Your local IP address is useful when you need to connect devices on your home network — for example, accessing a printer, setting up a security camera, or connecting to a computer remotely from another device in the same house. It is also needed if you are troubleshooting network problems with your router or setting up port forwarding.

Your public IP address matters when you are troubleshooting internet connectivity, checking if your connection has changed, or setting up remote access from outside your home network. Some services also use it to detect your location or block access based on geography. If your public IP changes frequently, your internet service provider is using dynamic IP assignment — this is normal for most home connections.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the steps above do not show an IP address, 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. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then try the steps again.

If you are still not seeing an address, your network adapter may need a driver update or may be disabled. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for Network adapters. If you see a yellow warning symbol next to any adapter, right-click it and select Update driver. On Mac or Linux, restart your computer and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find my location from my public IP address?

Your public IP address can be traced to your internet service provider and general geographic region, but not to your exact home address. Websites can see your approximate city or region, but not your street address. If you want to hide your public IP, you can use a VPN (virtual private network), which masks your address and shows the VPN provider's address instead.

Why do I have multiple IP addresses listed?

If you see more than one address, you may have multiple network adapters — for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connected at the same time. Use the address for the connection you are actually using. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, use the Wi-Fi address. If you are plugged in with ethernet, use the ethernet address.

Does my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same as long as you are connected to the same network. Your public IP address may change when you restart your router or after a period of inactivity — this depends on your internet service provider. Some providers assign static IPs (which do not change) for a fee, but most home connections use dynamic IPs.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four sets of numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.5. IPv6 addresses use longer strings with letters and colons, like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. IPv6 is the newer standard with more available addresses, but most home networks still use IPv4. You may see both listed in your network settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites already see it when you visit. Sharing your local IP address is also safe in most cases, though avoid sharing it with untrusted sources. Never share your router's admin password or any credentials, even if someone claims they need your IP address to help you.