What an IP address is and why you might need it

Your computer's IP address is a unique number that identifies it on a network — either your home Wi-Fi or the internet at large. It looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5 or 8.8.8.8. You need it when troubleshooting internet problems, setting up a printer or security camera on your home network, connecting to a remote computer, or when a website or service asks for it.

There are actually two IP addresses you might need: your local IP address (the one your router assigns to your computer on your home network) and your public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns to your router, visible to the outside world). Most of the time, you need the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is found in your network settings on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and is usually a number starting with 192.168 or 10.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status, and look for "IPv4 address" in the Details section.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears in the Details pane.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) can be found by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com or by asking your router's admin page.
  • If you cannot find your IP address in settings, restart your computer and reconnect to your network, then check again.

Finding your IP address on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, the quickest route is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Settings" and open it. Then select Network & Internet from the left menu.

Click Status (it should be the first option). Scroll down and click View your network properties. A window will open showing your connections. Look for the line that says IPv4 address — that number is your local IP address. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.

If you prefer the command line, you can also open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Your IPv4 address will appear in the list under your active connection.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On macOS, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar on the left.

Select your active connection — usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected. Click the Details button on the right side. Your IP address will be listed as IPv4 Address. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it elsewhere.

Alternatively, you can open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by your IP address in the output.

Finding your IP address on Linux

On Linux, open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line.

If that does not work, try ip addr show instead. Look for the line that starts with "inet" under your active connection — the number after "inet" is your IP address.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect to them. It is assigned by your internet provider to your router, not directly to your computer.

The easiest way to find it is to visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or google.com and search "what is my ip". The result will display your public IP address when ready.

You can also find it through your router's admin page. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in with your router's username and password (usually printed on the router itself or in your setup paperwork). Look for a section labeled "Internet" or "WAN" — your public IP will be listed there.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the steps above do not show an IP address, your computer may not be connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on, or that your ethernet cable is plugged in securely. Then restart your computer and try the steps again.

If you are connected but still see no IP address, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart. Then reconnect your computer and check your network settings again.

If the problem persists, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly. Restart your computer one more time, and if that does not work, contact your internet provider — they can check whether your account is active and your router is functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same every time I turn on my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same, but it can change if your router restarts or if you are away from your network for a long time. Your public IP address changes less often but may shift if your internet provider reassigns it or your router restarts. If you need a permanent local address for a device like a printer, you can set a static IP in your router settings.

Can someone use my IP address to hack me?

Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your home network, so it is not a security risk by itself. Your public IP address is visible to websites you visit, but it only reveals your general location and internet provider — not your identity or personal files. Standard security practices like a firewall and strong passwords protect you far more than hiding your IP.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses in my network settings?

If you have multiple network connections (Wi-Fi and ethernet, for example), each one gets its own IP address. Only the one for your active connection matters. If you see IPv6 addresses alongside IPv4, both are normal — IPv6 is the newer standard, but most home networks still use IPv4 primarily.

What is the difference between 192.168 and 10 addresses?

Both are private IP ranges used on home and office networks. Your router chooses which one to use — it does not matter which one you see. The important thing is that it starts with 192.168 or 10, which tells you it is a local address, not a public one.