Your IP address is a number your computer uses to connect to the internet and other devices on your network

Every device connected to the internet has an IP address — a unique identifier made up of four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.5. Your computer actually has two: a local IP address that identifies it on your home or office network, and a public IP address that identifies you to the wider internet. You might need to find either one to troubleshoot connection problems, set up a printer or security camera, or configure network settings.

Finding your IP address takes less than a minute and requires no special tools — just a few clicks or typed commands depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings on Windows, System Preferences on Mac, or the terminal on Linux, and usually starts with 192.168 or 10.
  • Your public IP address is what websites see when you visit them, and you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Windows users can open Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi (or Ethernet) and click the connected network to see the local address when ready.
  • Mac users can open System Preferences > Network, select their connection, and read the IP address labeled "IPv4 Address" in the window.
  • Linux users can type hostname -I in the terminal to display the local IP address when ready.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

On Windows 10 and 11, the fastest route is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Settings," and open the Settings app. Then navigate to Network & Internet in the left sidebar.

If you are connected by WiFi, click WiFi in the left menu, then click the name of the network you are currently connected to. A panel will slide out showing your connection details, including the line labeled IPv4 address — that is your local IP address. If you are connected by ethernet cable instead, click Ethernet in the left menu and the address will appear in the same location.

An older but equally reliable method works on any Windows version: right-click the network icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, select Open Network & Internet settings, then follow the same steps above. Both methods show the same information.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

On macOS, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Network. The window will show a list of connection types on the left — select whichever one you are currently using (usually WiFi or Ethernet).

Once you select your connection, the right panel displays your network details. Look for the line labeled IPv4 Address — the number shown there is your local IP address. The address typically begins with 192.168 or 10, depending on your router's configuration.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Linux users can find the local IP address using the terminal. Open a terminal window and type the command hostname -I (capital I), then press Enter. The terminal will when ready display your local IP address.

If that command does not work on your system, try ip addr show instead. This command displays more detailed network information, and your local IP address will appear next to "inet" in the output. Look for an address that starts with 192.168, 10, or 172.16 — those are the ranges reserved for local networks.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees when you connect to websites or services. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" — Google and other search engines will display your public address at the top of the results page. Alternatively, you can visit a dedicated IP lookup site like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which will show your public address along with your approximate location and internet service provider.

Your public IP address changes periodically — usually when you restart your modem or after a set number of days, depending on your internet service provider. Your local IP address, by contrast, stays the same as long as you remain on the same network and your router does not reset.

When you need your local IP versus your public IP

Use your local IP address when you are setting up devices on your home or office network — printers, security cameras, smart speakers, or network storage drives. You enter the local address into your browser's address bar to access the device's settings page. You also need it if you are troubleshooting connection problems with a technician who is helping you over the phone or remotely.

Use your public IP address only if a website or online service asks for it, or if you are setting up remote access to your computer from outside your home network. Most people never need their public address for everyday tasks.

Troubleshooting if you cannot find your IP address

If the steps above do not show an IP address, your device is not currently connected to the network. On Windows or Mac, check that WiFi is turned on and that you are connected to a network — the network icon in the top or bottom corner of the screen should show a connected status. On Linux, run the command nmcli device show to see the status of all network connections.

If you are connected but still see no address, restart your device and try again. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart. Then check for the IP address again using the same steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four numbers (like 192.168.1.5), while IPv6 addresses use longer alphanumeric strings (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). Most home networks still use IPv4, but newer devices and networks are gradually switching to IPv6 because it allows for many more unique addresses. For home use, you can treat them the same way.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address with someone on your network is safe — it is how devices find each other. Sharing your public IP address is generally safe too, since websites already see it when you visit them. However, do not share it with strangers or post it publicly, as it could theoretically be used to target your network with attacks.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your public IP address changes because your internet service provider assigns it temporarily rather than permanently. Your local IP address should stay the same on the same network, but it may change if your router restarts or if you have not connected to that network in a long time. If you need a permanent local address for a device like a printer, you can set a static IP in your router's settings.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address by adjusting your router's settings or by assigning a static address to your device, but this requires access to your router's admin panel. You cannot easily change your public IP address — it is assigned by your internet service provider — though restarting your modem may cause it to change naturally.