The fastest way to find your IP address on Mac

Your Mac has two IP addresses you might need: a local IP address (the one your home or office network assigns to your computer) and a public IP address (the one your internet service provider assigns to your whole network). Most of the time, you need the local one. Open System Settings, click Network on the left sidebar, then click the network you're connected to (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Your local IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled "IP Address"—it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

If you need your public IP address instead, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. Your public IP appears at the top of the results.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one your home network uses) is found in System Settings under Network, next to the name of your connected network.
  • Your public IP address (assigned by your internet provider) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually begin with 192.168 or 10.0, while public IP addresses are four numbers separated by periods that look completely different.
  • You can also find your local IP address using Terminal by typing ifconfig and looking for "inet" next to your network name, though System Settings is simpler for most people.

Finding your local IP address through System Settings

System Settings is the easiest route for most people. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. On the left sidebar, click Network. You'll see a list of network types—click the one you're currently using (Wi-Fi if you're wireless, Ethernet if you're plugged in with a cable).

On the right side of the window, you'll see several pieces of information about your connection. Look for the line labeled "IP Address"—that's your local IP. It will be four numbers separated by periods, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to use it elsewhere.

If you're connected to multiple networks at once (for example, Wi-Fi and Ethernet), check both to see which one you're actually using. The one you're connected to will show a green dot or "Connected" label next to its name.

Using Terminal to find your IP address

Terminal is Mac's command-line tool, and it can show you your IP address faster once you know the command. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal," and pressing Enter). Type ifconfig and press Enter. A block of text will appear showing information about all your network connections.

Look for the section labeled with your network type—usually "en0" for Ethernet or "en1" for Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" is your local IP address. It will look something like "inet 192.168.1.105".

Terminal is faster once you're used to it, but System Settings is clearer if you're not comfortable with command-line tools. Both methods show the same information.

Understanding the difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and only works on your home or office network. It's what your printer, smart TV, or other devices use to find your Mac on the same network. Local IP addresses always fall into specific ranges: they usually start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. These addresses never appear on the internet itself.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to websites you visit. It's the address that identifies your entire home network to the outside world. When you visit a website, the website sees your public IP, not your local one. Public IP addresses can be any combination of four numbers from 0 to 255.

You need your local IP when you're setting up a device on your home network, troubleshooting a connection, or logging into your router. You need your public IP when you're troubleshooting internet issues with your service provider or checking if you're being blocked by a website.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router or if your router's lease period expires. Most home routers reassign local IP addresses every few hours or days. If you need your Mac to always have the same local IP address—for example, to set up port forwarding or to always reach a specific device—you can assign a static IP address through your router's settings.

Open your router's admin page (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser and logging in with your router's username and password). Look for a section called DHCP, IP Reservation, or Static IP. Add your Mac's current IP address and its MAC address (a different identifier found in System Settings under Network, labeled "MAC Address"). Your router will then always assign that same local IP to your Mac.

Your public IP address also changes periodically, usually when your modem restarts or after a set number of days. Most people don't need to worry about this, but if you do need a static public IP, contact your internet service provider—they can usually set this up for an additional monthly fee.

Checking your IP address on different network types

If your Mac is connected to Wi-Fi, your local IP address appears under the Wi-Fi section in System Settings. If you're using Ethernet (a wired connection), it appears under Ethernet instead. Some Macs also have other network types like Thunderbolt Bridge or VPN connections, each with their own IP addresses.

If you're connected through a VPN (virtual private network), your local IP address is still the same, but your public IP address will appear to be from wherever the VPN server is located. You can check this by searching "what is my IP" in a browser while the VPN is active—it will show the VPN's IP address instead of your service provider's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to know my IP address?

You might need your local IP to set up a printer or smart home device on your network, to log into your router's settings, or to troubleshoot a connection problem. You might need your public IP if your internet service provider is helping you with a connection issue or if a website is blocking your access.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number that changes and identifies your device on a network. Your MAC address is a permanent identifier built into your network hardware. Both appear in System Settings under Network, but they serve different purposes.

Can someone find me using my IP address?

Your public IP address can be used to find your general location (usually your city or region), but not your exact address or identity. Your local IP address only works on your home network and is not visible to the internet. If you're concerned about privacy, a VPN can hide your public IP address from websites you visit.

What if my IP address doesn't start with 192.168 or 10.0?

Some networks use different IP ranges, particularly corporate networks or certain types of routers. If your local IP starts with 172.16 or another number, it's still a valid local address—it just means your network is using a different range. Contact your network administrator if you're unsure whether the address is correct.