What an IP address is and why you might need yours

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies it on a network — the same way a street address identifies a house. When you connect to the internet or to a local network (like your home WiFi), your device gets assigned an IP address so other computers know where to send information back to you.

You may need to find your IP address to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or security camera on your home network, access your computer remotely, or provide it to technical support. There are two types: your local IP address (the one your router assigns, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) and your public IP address (the one the internet sees, assigned by your internet service provider).

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your network settings on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and is usually the one you need for home network problems.
  • On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi (or Ethernet) and look for "IPv4 address" in the connection details.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > Network and select your connection to see the IP address listed at the top.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) can be found by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com in any browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, the quickest route is through Settings. Click the Start menu, then select Settings (the gear icon). Go to Network & Internet, then click on WiFi if you're connected wirelessly, or Ethernet if you're using a cable.

Under "Related settings," click "Advanced network options." You'll see a section called "IP settings" with your IPv4 address listed — that's your local IP. It will look something like 192.168.1.105. If you need your public IP instead, skip to the section below on finding your public address.

Alternatively, you can use the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type "cmd," and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active connection — that's your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On macOS, open System Settings (the gear icon in the dock or Applications folder). Click Network in the left sidebar. Select the connection you're using — WiFi or Ethernet — and your IP address will appear at the top of the window, labeled "IP Address."

If you prefer the Terminal, open Applications > Utilities > Terminal and type ifconfig, then press Enter. Look for "inet" under your active connection (usually en0 for Ethernet or en1 for WiFi). The number next to "inet" is your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on Linux

On Linux, open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter — this shows your local IP address when ready. If you need more detailed information, type ifconfig or ip addr and press Enter. Look for "inet" under your active connection to find your local IP.

Different Linux distributions may display this information slightly differently, but these commands work on most systems including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

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 visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com, myip.com, or ipchicken.com. The page will display your public IP address when ready — no login or read needed.

You can also search "what is my IP" in Google and the answer will appear at the top of the results. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically (usually when you restart your modem or after a set number of days).

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 you use to connect to printers, security cameras, or other devices on the same WiFi or wired network. If you're troubleshooting a home network problem, this is the address you need.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to websites and services on the internet. It's what allows websites to send data back to you. You don't usually need your public IP for home network tasks, but you may need it if you're setting up remote access to your computer or if technical support asks for it.

When to call a professional

Finding your IP address is straightforward and requires no special tools or informed. However, if you're trying to fix a network problem and the steps above don't work — for example, if you can't see an IP address in your settings, or if your connection isn't showing up at all — that's a sign the problem is deeper than just locating the address. At that point, contact your internet service provider or a local tech support service.

Similarly, if you need to set up remote access to your computer or configure advanced network settings, a professional can walk you through it safely and make sure your security isn't compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your device reconnects to the network. Your public IP address changes periodically — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly — depending on your internet service provider's settings. This is normal and expected.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites see it every time you visit. Sharing your local IP address is also safe within your home network. However, don't share either one with strangers online, as someone could use it to attempt unauthorized access to your network or devices.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address through your router's settings, though this is rarely necessary. You can't directly change your public IP, but restarting your modem may assign you a new one. If you need a different public IP for privacy or other reasons, a VPN service can mask your real address.

What if I see multiple IP addresses in my settings?

You may see both an IPv4 address (the standard format like 192.168.1.105) and an IPv6 address (a longer format with colons and letters). Both are normal — IPv6 is the newer standard. For most home network tasks, use the IPv4 address.