Finding Your IP Address on Windows

The fastest way to find your IP address on Windows is to open the Command Prompt and type a single command. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. You will see a list of network information. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address — the number next to it (something like 192.168.1.5) is your computer's IP address on your home or office network. If you are connected to the internet through WiFi, look under the section labeled "Wireless LAN adapter WiFi". If you are plugged in with an ethernet cable, look under "Ethernet adapter".

If you want to find your public IP address — the one your internet service provider assigns to your whole home network — open any web browser and search for "what is my IP". Google and other search engines will display it at the top of the results page.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, go to the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network on the left side.

You will see your current network connection listed — either WiFi or Ethernet. Click on it. Your IP address will appear in the window on the right side, labeled IPv4 Address. It will look like a series of four numbers separated by periods.

For your public IP address, open Safari or another browser and search "what is my IP" the same way you would on Windows.

Finding Your IP Address on Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually do this by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Open Terminal" or by searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the screen. If that command does not work, try ip addr instead and look for the line that starts with "inet" under your active network connection — the number after "inet" is your IP address.

To find your public IP address, open a web browser and search for "what is my IP".

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one on your home network) is found through Command Prompt on Windows, System Settings on Mac, or Terminal on Linux.
  • Your public IP address (assigned by your internet provider) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and are different from your public address.
  • You need your local IP address to connect to devices on your network; you need your public IP address if someone outside your home needs to reach your network.

The Difference Between Local and Public IP Addresses

Your computer actually has two IP addresses, and they serve different purposes. Your local IP address (also called a private IP address) is used only within your home or office network. It lets your computer talk to your printer, your phone, your router, and other devices in the same space. 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 rest of the internet identifies your home network. When you visit a website, that website sees your public IP address, not your local one. If someone outside your home wants to connect to a device on your network (like a security camera or a game server), they would use your public IP address.

Most people need their local IP address when they are troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer, or logging into their router. You need your public IP address less often, but it is useful if you are setting up remote access or if a service asks for it.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

The most common reason to find your IP address is to connect a new device to your network or to troubleshoot why something is not working. If your printer is not printing, you might need to tell your computer the printer's IP address. If you are setting up a smart home device, it may ask for your network's IP address range.

Another reason is to log into your router's settings. Most routers are accessed by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser. Knowing your own computer's IP address can help you understand your network layout and diagnose connection problems.

If you are running a game server, hosting a website from home, or setting up remote access to your computer, you will need your public IP address so others can find you on the internet.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If the commands above do not work or do not show an IP address, your computer may not be connected to the network. Check that your WiFi is turned on or that your ethernet cable is plugged in. Wait a few seconds and try the command again.

If you are still not seeing an address, restart your computer and your router. Turn off the router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. Once both devices are fully booted, try the command again.

If you see an IP address that starts with 169.254, your computer is not properly connected to the network. This usually means your router is not giving out addresses correctly. Restart the router and try reconnecting. If the problem continues, you may need to reset your router to its factory settings or contact your internet service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network (like 192.168.1.5). Your MAC address is a different code that identifies your network card itself. They serve different purposes, and you will rarely need your MAC address unless you are setting up advanced network features.

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your computer goes offline for a long time. Your public IP address can change if you restart your modem or if your internet service provider reassigns it, though many providers keep it stable for months or years.

Can someone harm me if they know my IP address?

Knowing your public IP address alone is not enough to harm your computer. It tells someone your general location and internet provider, but not your local network or personal files. Your router's firewall blocks most attacks. However, do not share your IP address with people you do not trust, especially if you are running a game server or other service that accepts outside connections.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses are the older standard and look like four numbers separated by periods (192.168.1.5). IPv6 addresses are newer and look like letters and numbers separated by colons (2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334). Most home networks still use IPv4, but IPv6 is becoming more common. For everyday use, you only need to know your IPv4 address.