How to Find Your Computer's IP Address

What an IP address is and why you might need it

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your machine on a network — either your home network or the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.5 (your local address) or something like 203.45.67.89 (your public address that the wider internet sees).

You might need to find your IP address to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or other device on your home network, access your computer remotely, or provide it to technical support. The method you use depends on whether you need your local address (the one your router assigns) or your public address (the one your internet provider assigns).

Key Takeaways

Your local IP address is found in your network settings and starts with 192.168 or 10.0 on most home networks.
Your public IP address is what websites see and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi or Ethernet to see your local address in seconds.
On Mac, open System Settings > Network and click the active connection to view your local IP address.
If you need your IP address for a specific task like printer setup, your local address is usually what you need.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Your local IP address is the one your router assigns to your computer. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it from the results. Click Network & Internet in the left sidebar.

If you are connected by WiFi, click WiFi and then click the name of your network. Scroll down and look for "IPv4 address" — that is your local IP. If you are connected by ethernet cable, click Ethernet instead and follow the same steps. The address will be a series of four numbers separated by periods, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0.

An alternative method is to open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing "cmd," and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active connection — this shows the same local address in a different way.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Settings. Click Network in the sidebar. You will see a list of connections — click the one you are currently using (either WiFi or Ethernet, marked with a green dot).

In the details panel on the right, look for IP Address. This is your local address. If you do not see it when ready, make sure you have clicked on the active connection, not just the category name.

Another way is to open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities) and type ifconfig, then press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by a series of numbers — that is your local IP address. The Terminal method shows more technical detail but gives you the same information as System Settings.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you visit a website or send data outside your home network. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address." The first result will show your public address clearly, usually in large text.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io directly — they all display your public IP when ready when you load the page. This address changes periodically (sometimes daily, sometimes monthly, depending on your internet provider), so if you need it for a specific task, write it down or take a screenshot.

Understanding the difference between local and public addresses

Your local IP address is used only within your home or office network. It is assigned by your router and lets devices on the same network find each other — your printer, smart speakers, security cameras, and other computers. These addresses almost always start with 192.168 or 10.0 and are not visible to the outside internet.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how the rest of the internet identifies your connection. Websites, email servers, and online services see this address. For most home users, this address changes periodically, and your internet provider controls it — you cannot change it yourself without special equipment or a paid service.

For most tasks — setting up a printer, accessing a computer on your home network, or troubleshooting a local connection — you need your local address. You only need your public address if you are setting up remote access from outside your home or if technical support asks for it.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If you follow the steps above and do not see an IP address, check that you are actually connected to the network. Look for a WiFi icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) — if it shows no connection or a warning symbol, reconnect to your network first, then check again.

If you are connected but still do not see an address, restart your computer and your router. Turn off the router for 30 seconds, turn it back on, wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then restart your computer. Once both devices are back on, repeat the steps to find your IP address.

If the problem continues, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly. Restart the router again and wait longer — sometimes it takes several minutes. If you still see no address after these steps, contact your internet provider's technical support, as there may be an issue with your connection.

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. You rarely need your MAC address unless you are setting up advanced network features like MAC filtering or wake-on-LAN.

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 internet provider knows which customer owns each IP address, but they do not share that information publicly. For privacy, you can use a VPN service, which masks your real IP address.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Most internet providers assign addresses that change periodically — this is normal. If you need a permanent address for remote access or hosting, you can request a static IP from your provider (sometimes for a fee) or use a service like dynamic DNS that updates automatically when your address changes.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you plan to use it for a specific task soon, such as connecting a printer or accessing your computer remotely. For most everyday tasks, you can look it up again whenever you need it using the same steps. Your local address rarely changes unless you restart your router or move to a different network.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.