Your IP address is a number your computer uses to connect to the internet and local networks

Every device connected to the internet has an IP address — a unique identifier that lets other computers and servers find and communicate with yours. You may need this number to troubleshoot network problems, set up a printer on your home network, access your computer remotely, or configure router settings. The steps to find it differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the process takes less than a minute on any system.

Your computer actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address (used only within your home or office network) and a public IP address (the one the wider internet sees). Most of the time you need the local one. This guide covers how to find both.

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 your local IP appears under "IP Address".
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • Your public IP address (the one websites see) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only when you restart your router or manually reconfigure your network.

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Right-click the Start button, select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)", and type ipconfig then press Enter. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP address. It usually looks like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50.

If you prefer not to use the command line, you can find the same information through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, click on your active connection (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and scroll down. Your IP address appears under "IP address" in the details section.

The Command Prompt method is faster and shows more detail, including your gateway address and DNS servers, which can be useful if you are troubleshooting network issues.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) and click Network in the sidebar. Select the connection you are currently using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your local IP address appears when ready under "IP Address" in the window that opens.

You can also use the terminal if you prefer the command line. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and type ifconfig | grep inet then press Enter. Your local IP address appears next to "inet" in the output. Ignore the line that says "127.0.0.1" — that is your computer talking to itself.

The Settings method is simpler for most users and shows your address clearly without extra information.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window and type hostname -I then press Enter. Your local IP address displays when ready. This works on most Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

If that command does not work, try ifconfig (the same command used on Windows) or ip addr show. Both display your IP address along with other network details. Look for the line labeled "inet" under your active connection — the number after "inet" is your local IP address.

Linux terminal commands are the most direct route and work the same way across nearly all distributions.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you find using the methods above is your local IP address — it works only within your home or office network. Your router assigns it to your computer, and it may change if you restart your router or if your router is set to reassign addresses periodically.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is the address that websites and online services see when you connect. To find your public IP, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The large number displayed is your public IP.

You need your local IP to connect devices within your home network — like printing to a network printer or accessing a computer remotely from another device on the same Wi-Fi. You need your public IP only if someone outside your network needs to reach your computer directly, which is rare and requires additional security setup.

Why you might need your IP address

Network troubleshooting is the most common reason. If your internet is slow or unstable, your IT support person or internet service provider may ask for your IP address to diagnose the problem. If you are setting up a device on your home network — like a printer, security camera, or smart speaker — you may need to enter your computer's local IP into the device's setup screen.

Remote access is another use. If you want to connect to your computer from another location using software like Remote Desktop (Windows) or TeamViewer (all systems), you need your local IP if you are on the same network, or your public IP if you are connecting from outside your home network.

Router configuration sometimes requires your computer's IP address. If you are setting up port forwarding, creating a static IP, or managing which devices connect to your network, your router's admin panel may ask you to identify your computer by its local IP address.

Making your IP address static if you need it to stay the same

By default, your router assigns your computer a new local IP address each time you restart or reconnect to the network. If you are setting up a printer or remote access and want the address to remain constant, you can assign a static IP address.

On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, click your connection, scroll to "IP settings", and select "Edit". Change the setting from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual", toggle on IPv4, and enter a static address (usually something like 192.168.1.200, as long as it is higher than your router's DHCP range). On Mac, open System Settings, go to Network, select your connection, click Details, go to TCP/IP, and change "Configure IPv4" from "Using DHCP" to "Manually".

On Linux, the process depends on your distribution and network manager, but generally involves editing your network configuration file or using your system's network settings GUI. Check your distribution's documentation for the exact steps.

Setting a static address keeps your computer at the same IP until you change it manually, which prevents devices from losing connection to your computer if your router restarts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same after a restart, as long as your router is still running and you reconnect to the same network. It may change if you restart your router, move to a different network, or if your router is configured to reassign addresses frequently. Your public IP address changes less often — usually only when you restart your modem or after several days of inactivity, depending on your internet service provider.

Is my IP address the same on Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

No. If your computer is connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, it has a separate local IP address for each connection. Most computers use only one at a time, so you will see one active address. Check your network settings to see which connection is active, or use the commands above to view all addresses your computer currently has.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP address can be traced to your internet service provider and your general geographic region (usually your city or region, not your exact address). Your local IP address is visible only to devices on your home network and cannot be seen by websites or people on the internet. If you are concerned about privacy, use a VPN service, which masks your public IP address.

What if the IP address I found does not work?

Make sure you are using the correct address for your situation. If you are trying to connect a device on your home network, use your local IP address (the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0). If you are trying to access your computer from outside your home, use your public IP address. Also confirm that your computer and the device you are connecting from are on the same network, and that any firewall or security software is not blocking the connection.

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

Your computer may have multiple network connections active at once — for example, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and virtual network adapters. Each one gets its own IP address. Look for the connection you are actually using (usually labeled "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet") and use that IP address. Ignore loopback addresses like 127.0.0.1, which are used only for your computer to communicate with itself.