What an IP address is and why you might need yours

An IP address is a unique number assigned to your computer on a network — think of it like a mailing address for data. It looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5 (called IPv4) or a longer string of numbers and letters (called IPv6). You need to know your IP address when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer on your home network, connecting to a remote computer, or giving technical support to someone who needs to reach your machine.

Your computer actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address (also called a private IP) that only works on your home or office network, and a public IP address that identifies you to the wider internet. Most of the time, you're looking for the local one. Finding it takes less than a minute on any operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address shown on the right side.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168, 10, or 172 and only works on your home or office network.
  • If you need your public IP address (the one the internet sees), search "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key and type cmd, then press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Your computer displays a list of network information.

Look for the section labeled with your connection type — usually "Ethernet adapter" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it later.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, click on your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and scroll down. Your IP address appears under "IP address" on the right side of the screen.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, the graphical method is quickest. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then click Network on the left sidebar. Select the connection you're using — Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled "IP Address".

If you want to use the terminal instead, click the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass) in the top-right corner, type terminal, and press Enter. In the terminal window, type ifconfig and press Enter. Scroll through the output and look for "inet" followed by a number — that's your local IP address. Ignore lines that show 127.0.0.1, as that's your computer talking to itself.

Finding your IP address on Linux

On Linux, open a terminal window (usually by right-clicking the desktop or pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, depending on your distribution). Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address displays when ready on the next line.

If that command doesn't work on your system, try ifconfig or ip addr show instead. Both display network information, though they show more detail than you probably need. Look for "inet" followed by a number that starts with 192.168, 10, or 172 — that's your local IP address.

Understanding what the numbers mean

IP addresses in the ranges 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255, 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, and 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 are private addresses. They only work on your local network and are assigned by your router. Every home or office network uses these ranges, so your neighbor's computer might also have 192.168.1.5 — but that's a different computer on a different network.

The last number in your IP address (the part after the final dot) is what makes your computer unique on your local network. If your IP is 192.168.1.105, the 105 is your computer's identifier. Your router keeps track of which device has which number.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect to them. It's assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will show your public IP in large text.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which display your public IP along with other information like your approximate location and internet provider. This is the address you would give someone if they needed to connect to your computer remotely from outside your home network.

Common reasons your IP address might change

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router, if your computer goes to sleep and reconnects, or if your router's settings are configured to reassign addresses periodically. If you need your IP address to stay the same — for example, to set up port forwarding for a game server — you can assign a static IP address through your router's settings. This tells the router to always give your computer the same number.

Your public IP address changes less often, usually only when you restart your modem or after several days of inactivity. Internet service providers rotate public addresses to manage their address space, but you won't notice the change unless you're monitoring it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your router automatically assigns addresses from the 192.168 range (or 10 or 172) because these ranges are reserved for private networks. Every router does this, so it's normal. The number is only meaningful on your home or office network.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is safe — it only works on your home network anyway. Your public IP address is less sensitive but is visible to every website you visit. Avoid sharing it with strangers, but it's not a secret like a password would be.

What if I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ifconfig?

You might have multiple network adapters (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, virtual adapters, etc.), so each one gets its own IP address. Look for the one labeled with the connection type you're actually using. Ignore entries labeled "loopback" or showing 127.0.0.1.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can assign a static local IP address through your router settings, which keeps your computer's number from changing. You cannot change your public IP address directly, but restarting your modem may cause your internet service provider to assign you a different one.

Do I need my IPv6 address or just IPv4?

For most home network tasks, you need the IPv4 address (the one with four numbers separated by dots). IPv6 is the newer standard and is becoming more common, but unless someone specifically asks for an IPv6 address, use the IPv4 one.