Finding Your IP Address on a Mac

Your Mac's IP address is a unique number that identifies your computer on a network. You can find it in System Settings in under a minute — no terminal commands needed. The fastest route is to open System Settings, click Network, and look at the connection you're using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Your IP address appears right there in the details panel.

If you're connected to Wi-Fi, you'll see it labeled as "IP Address" next to your network name. If you're using Ethernet, the same information shows up in the same place. Both methods show your local IP address — the one your home or office network uses to talk to your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click Network, and select your active connection to see your IP address in seconds.
  • Your local IP address (the one on your home network) starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is different from your public IP address.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Your IP address may change if you restart your router or reconnect to Wi-Fi, so write it down if you need it for a specific task.

Step-by-Step: Finding Your Local IP Address

Start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. On older Macs running Big Sur or earlier, this is called System Preferences instead — the steps are identical.

Once System Settings opens, click Network in the left sidebar. You'll see a list of connection types: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and others. Click whichever one shows a green dot next to it — that's your active connection. Your IP address appears in the main panel on the right side, labeled clearly as "IP Address." Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to reference it later.

If you're on Wi-Fi, you might also see additional details like your subnet mask and router address. These are useful for network troubleshooting, but your IP address is the main number you're looking for.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

The IP address you see in System Settings is your local IP address — it's what your home or office network uses to identify your Mac. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0, followed by more numbers. This address only works on your local network; the internet can't see it.

Your public IP address is different. It's assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see when you visit them. To find your public IP, open any web browser and search "what is my IP." The first result will show you the public address your ISP assigned to your home or office connection.

Most of the time, when someone asks for your IP address, they mean your local one — for connecting a printer, setting up a smart home device, or troubleshooting a network problem. Only share your public IP if you're specifically asked for it.

What to Do If Your IP Address Changes

Your Mac's local IP address can change if you restart your router, reconnect to Wi-Fi, or if your network is set up to assign addresses automatically. If you need a stable IP address for a specific task — like hosting a game server or running a home automation setup — you can assign a static IP address to your Mac instead.

To set a static IP, go back to System Settings > Network, click the connection you're using, then click Details. Look for the TCP/IP tab and change the Configure IPv4 dropdown from "Using DHCP" to "Manually." You can then type in a fixed IP address. Use a number higher than what your router normally assigns (usually above 192.168.1.100) to avoid conflicts. If you're not sure what number to use, ask your network administrator or check your router's manual.

Finding Your IP Address on Older macOS Versions

If you're running macOS Big Sur or earlier, the steps are nearly identical, but the menu names are slightly different. Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences instead of System Settings. Then click Network, select your active connection, and your IP address appears in the same place.

The information displayed is the same regardless of which macOS version you're using. If you're unsure which version you have, click the Apple menu and select About This Mac — the version number appears at the top of the window.

Using Terminal to Find Your IP Address

If you prefer using the command line, you can find your IP address through Terminal. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space), then type ifconfig and press Enter. Your IP address appears in the output next to "inet" — look for the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0, not 127.0.0.1 (that's your computer talking to itself).

This method shows the same information as System Settings, just in a different format. Most people find System Settings faster and easier, but Terminal is useful if you're running scripts or need to check your IP address remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?

That's the standard range for home and office networks. Your router assigns addresses in that range to all devices on your local network. Different routers might use 10.0 or 172.16 instead, but they all serve the same purpose — identifying your Mac on the local network only.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your local IP address is safe to share — it only works on your home or office network. Your public IP address is also relatively safe to share, though it does reveal your general location. Never share your password or other login information, but the IP address itself isn't a security risk.

What if I don't see an IP address in System Settings?

If the IP Address field is blank or shows "Not Configured," your Mac isn't connected to the network properly. Try disconnecting from Wi-Fi and reconnecting, or restart your router. If the problem persists, restart your Mac and check again.

Can I change my IP address manually?

Yes, you can assign a static IP address through System Settings > Network > Details > TCP/IP, then change the dropdown from "Using DHCP" to "Manually." Pick a number in your router's range (usually 192.168.1.100 and higher) that isn't already in use. Most people don't need to do this unless they're setting up a server or special network device.