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 or a local network has an IP address — a unique identifier that lets other computers find and communicate with yours. Your computer actually has two: a local IP address that works only on your home or office network, and a public IP address that identifies you to the wider internet. You may need to find either one to troubleshoot network problems, set up a printer or security camera, or connect to your computer remotely.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but all three methods take less than a minute and require no special software.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your network settings and usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 on most home networks.
  • Windows users can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users can open System Preferences, select Network, and see the IP address displayed next to "Connected".
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • If you need to connect to your computer remotely or set up port forwarding, you will need your local IP address, not your public one.

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. 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 section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one you are currently using. Your local IP address is the line that says "IPv4 Address" and will look something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status. Scroll down and click "View your network properties." Your IPv4 address will be listed there.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Network. Your computer will show a list of network connections on the left side — select the one you are currently using, usually "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet".

Once you select your connection, your local IP address will appear on the right side of the window next to the word "Connected". It will be labeled as your IP address and will typically start with 192.168 or 10.0.

You can also use Terminal if you prefer the command-line method. Open Terminal, type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the section that matches your connection type and find the line starting with "inet" — that is your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Linux users have several options depending on their desktop environment. The command-line method works on all distributions: open a terminal and type ip addr show or the older command ifconfig. Press Enter and look for the line starting with "inet" under your active network connection — that is your local IP address.

If your Linux system uses a graphical interface, you can also navigate to your network settings through the system menu. The exact path varies by desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, Xfce), but it is usually under Settings or Network. Look for a Connected status next to your network name, and your IP address will be displayed nearby.

The difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is what devices on your home or office network use to find your computer. It never leaves your network and is assigned by your router. This is the address you need if you want to set up a printer, connect a security camera, or access your computer from another device on the same network.

Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you browse websites or send data outside your network. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is shared by all devices on your network — they all appear to the outside world as coming from the same public IP. To find your public IP, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP address." The first result will show it to you.

If you need to access your computer remotely from outside your network, you will typically need your public IP address plus port forwarding set up on your router. If you are setting up a device on your home network, you need the local IP address.

Why you might need to know your IP address

Network troubleshooting is the most common reason. If your internet is slow or you cannot connect to a specific device, your IT support person or router manual may ask for your IP address to diagnose the problem.

Setting up networked devices also requires it. If you are installing a printer, security camera, or network storage device, you may need to enter your computer's IP address or find it in your router's settings to complete the setup.

Remote access is another reason. If you want to connect to your computer from another location, you will need to know your IP address and configure your router to allow that connection. Some people also need it for gaming, running a home server, or hosting files that other computers on the network need to reach.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts or if your computer has not been connected for a while. If you need a stable address for something like a printer or remote access, you can set a static IP address on your computer or reserve one in your router's settings.

To reserve an IP address in your router, log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser), find the DHCP or IP Reservation section, and add your computer's MAC address with a fixed IP. This tells your router to always give that computer the same local IP address.

Alternatively, you can set a static IP directly on your computer through its network settings, though this is less common and can cause conflicts if done incorrectly. The router method is usually safer and simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a hardware identifier that only works on your local network, while your IP address is a network address that lets devices communicate. Think of the MAC address as your computer's serial number and the IP address as your mailing address. You need both for your computer to work on a network.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP address can reveal your general location (usually your city or region) and your internet service provider, but not your exact street address or home. Your local IP address cannot be seen by anyone outside your network, so it reveals nothing to strangers on the internet.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ifconfig?

You may have multiple network connections active — for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, or a virtual network adapter. Each one gets its own IP address. Use the one that matches the connection you are actually using right now.

What if I cannot find my IP address using these steps?

Make sure you are connected to the internet or your network first. If you are on Wi-Fi, check that you are connected to your router. If you are still not seeing an address, your network adapter may not be working — try restarting your computer or checking your router to see if it shows your device as connected.