Your computer has two IP addresses you might need: one for your local network and one for the internet

Your local IP address is what your computer uses to talk to other devices on your home or office network — your printer, router, or another computer in the same room. Your public IP address is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect to them. Both are useful for different reasons: you need the local one to troubleshoot network problems or set up devices, and you need the public one if you're trying to figure out why a website is blocking you or if you're setting up remote access to your computer.

Finding either one takes less than a minute and requires no special software. The method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you want your local address or your public one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your network settings and is usually something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50.
  • Your public IP address is what the internet sees and you can find it by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com or by searching "what is my IP" in any search engine.
  • Windows users can find their local IP by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac and Linux users can open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to see the same information.
  • If you need your IP address for a specific reason — like connecting to a printer or setting up remote access — write it down because it can change if you restart your router.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. A black window will appear. Type ipconfig and press Enter. You will see a list of network adapters. Look for the one labeled "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi. Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number that looks like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50 — that is your local IP address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then select your connection type (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Click on the connection name and scroll down to find "IPv4 address" listed under the connection details.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open System Preferences and click Network. You will see your current connection listed on the left side. Click it, and your local IP address appears on the right side next to "IP Address". It will look similar to a Windows address: something like 192.168.1.105.

If you want to use Terminal instead, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type terminal, and press Enter. Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" (for Ethernet) or "en1" (for Wi-Fi). Next to "inet" you will see your local IP address.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a Terminal window. Type ip addr and press Enter. You will see a numbered list of network interfaces. Look for the one that is not labeled "lo" (which is the loopback interface and not what you need). Next to "inet" you will see your local IP address. On some older Linux systems, type ifconfig instead if ip addr does not work.

The address will be in the same format as Windows and Mac: usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0. If you have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected, you will see two addresses — one for each connection.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is much simpler to find. Open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com, ipchicken.com, or myip.com. The page will display your public IP address when ready — usually a four-part number like 203.45.67.89. You do not need to install anything or open any system menus.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and can change if you restart your modem or router. If you need it to stay the same for a specific reason — like setting up a security camera or remote access — contact your ISP to ask about a static public IP, though this usually costs extra.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router or if your computer is off the network for a while. Most home networks use DHCP, which means your router assigns addresses automatically and can reassign them. If you need a device to keep the same local IP address — for example, so you can always reach your printer at the same address — you can set a static IP in your network settings or reserve an address in your router's admin panel.

Your public IP address changes less often but can shift if you restart your modem or if your ISP reassigns it. If you are setting up something that needs a permanent public IP, contact your ISP first — most home internet plans do not include static public IPs.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the methods above do not show an address, check that you are actually connected to the network. Look for a network icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and make sure it shows a connection. If you are connected but still see no address, try restarting your computer or your router.

If you are on a corporate or school network, your IT department may have set restrictions that hide this information. Contact them directly — they can tell you your local IP address or help you find it. For your public IP, the website method will always work as long as you have internet access, even on a restricted network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older, more common format and looks like 192.168.1.100. IPv6 is the newer format and looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Most home networks still use IPv4. If you see both listed in your network settings, you can use either one — your computer supports both.

Is my IP address private or can other people see it?

Your local IP address is private and only visible to devices on your own network. Your public IP address is visible to any website you visit and to your internet service provider. It does not reveal your home address, but it can be used to determine your general location.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address can be changed through your network settings or by reserving a different address in your router. Your public IP address is assigned by your ISP and changes automatically over time, but you cannot change it yourself without contacting them.

Why do I need to know my IP address?

You might need your local IP to connect to a printer, access a network drive, or troubleshoot connection problems. You might need your public IP to set up remote access to your computer, check if a website is blocking you, or report a problem to your ISP.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same after a restart, but it can change if you restart your router or if your computer is off the network for several hours. Your public IP address rarely changes from a computer restart — it only changes if you restart your modem or router.