What an IP address is and why you might need it

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on a network — either your home Wi-Fi or the internet at large. It looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5 (for your local network) or 203.0.113.42 (for the wider internet). You need this number when you're troubleshooting connection problems, setting up a printer or security camera on your home network, or giving technical support to someone helping you remotely.

Your computer actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address that only devices in your home can see, and a public IP address that the rest of the internet sees. Most of the time, you're looking for the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your network settings and usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.
  • Windows users can find it fastest by typing "ipconfig" into the command prompt and looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users can open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and read the IP address shown there.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

The quickest method on Windows is to use the command prompt. Press the Windows key and type "cmd" without quotes, then press Enter. A black window will open. Type "ipconfig" and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address.

If you prefer not to use the command prompt, you can find it through Settings instead. Click the Start button, then go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you're plugged in with a cable). Click the name of your connection, and scroll down to find "IPv4 address" listed under the connection details.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. Click Network in the left sidebar. Select the connection you're using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your local IP address will appear on the right side of the screen, labeled as "IP Address".

If you want to see more details about your connection, click the Advanced button at the bottom right, then click the TCP/IP tab. Your IP address will be displayed there as well.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will show you a website that displays your public IP in large text.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io directly. These sites show your public IP address when ready, along with your general location and internet provider information. This is the number you would give to someone if they needed to connect to your computer remotely from outside your home network.

Understanding the difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your home router and only works within your home network. Devices in your house use this address to find each other — your phone, printer, and computer all have their own local IP addresses. These addresses always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how the outside world identifies your entire home network. When you visit a website, that website sees your public IP, not your local one. Your public IP can change over time, especially if you restart your router, while your local IP usually stays the same as long as your device stays on the same network.

Common reasons your IP address might change

Your local IP address usually stays the same, but it can change if you restart your router, if your device hasn't connected to the network in a long time, or if your router's settings are configured to assign new addresses frequently. If you need a device to keep the same local IP address — for example, to set up port forwarding for a game server — you can assign a static IP address through your router's settings.

Your public IP address changes less often, but it will shift if you restart your modem or if your internet service provider reassigns addresses. Most home internet users don't need to worry about this, but if you're running a service that needs a stable public IP, you can contact your internet provider to ask about a static public IP option (this usually costs extra).

What to do if you can't find your IP address

If the command prompt or Settings don't show an IP address, your device 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 a device to receive an address from the router.

If you're still not seeing an address, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it finishes restarting (usually 2 to 3 minutes), reconnect your device and check again. If the problem continues, your router may not be working properly, and you may need to contact your internet service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different identifier that only works on your local network, while your IP address works both locally and on the internet. Every device has both. You rarely need your MAC address unless you're setting up advanced network features like MAC filtering or wake-on-LAN.

Can someone find my location from my public IP address?

Your public IP address reveals your general location — usually your city or region — but not your exact street address or home. Websites can see this information, but it's not precise enough to pinpoint where you live. Your internet service provider knows your exact address, but they don't share it publicly.

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?

Your router is using a standard range of addresses reserved for home networks. Most home routers use addresses starting with 192.168 or 10.0. These ranges are set aside specifically so that home networks don't conflict with each other or with the public internet.

Do I need to change my IP address for security reasons?

Changing your local IP address won't improve security. If you're concerned about your public IP being visible online, you can use a VPN service, which hides your real public IP. However, for normal home use, your public IP address being visible is not a security risk.