What an IP address is and why you might need yours

Your computer's IP address is a unique number that identifies your device on a network — either your home network or the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.5 (a local address on your home network) or something like 203.0.113.42 (a public address visible to websites and services online).

You might need to find your IP address to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or security camera on your home network, configure remote access to your computer, or provide it to technical support. The method you use depends on your operating system and whether you need your local network address or your public internet address.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one on your home network) starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is found in your network settings, not by searching online.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) can be found by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com or by checking your router's settings.
  • Windows users can open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see both local and public addresses in seconds.
  • Mac and Linux users can open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to find their local address.
  • Most home networks assign a new local IP address automatically, so the number you find today may change in a few weeks or months.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to use Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under "Ethernet adapter" (if you are wired) or "Wireless LAN adapter" (if you are on Wi-Fi). That number is your local IP address on your home network.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can find it through Settings instead. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected. Scroll down and click "Advanced" or "View your network properties." Your IPv4 address appears on that screen.

The address you see will almost always start with 192.168 or 10.0. If it starts with 169.254, your computer is not properly connected to the network — restart your router and try again.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Network, and select your connection type — Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list on the left. Your local IP address appears in the main panel next to "IP Address." It will start with 192.168 or 10.0.

Alternatively, open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, then type Terminal). Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" (Ethernet) or "en1" (Wi-Fi). The line starting with "inet" shows your local IP address.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip addr and press Enter. Your local IP address appears next to "inet" in the output. Look for the section labeled with your network interface name — usually "eth0" for Ethernet or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi. The address will start with 192.168 or 10.0.

Some older Linux systems use ifconfig instead. If ip addr does not work, try typing ifconfig and pressing Enter. The output format is similar — look for "inet" and your network interface name.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is the one the internet sees when you visit a website or use an online service. It is different from your local address and is assigned by your internet service provider. To find it, visit any IP lookup website such as whatismyipaddress.com, myip.com, or ipinfo.io. The page displays your public address when ready — no installation or setup required.

You can also find your public IP through your router's settings. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and press Enter. Log in with your router's username and password (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the back of the router). Look for a status page or WAN settings — your public IP address is listed there.

Your public IP address changes periodically — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly — depending on your internet service provider. Most home internet plans use dynamic IP addresses, meaning the number is not permanent.

Understanding the difference between local and public addresses

A local IP address is used only within your home network. Devices on your Wi-Fi use these addresses to talk to each other and to your router. These addresses always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. They are never visible to the outside internet.

A public IP address is assigned to your router by your internet service provider and is visible to every website and service you connect to online. When you visit a website, that site sees your public IP, not your local one. Your local address stays the same as long as you keep the same router and network setup, but your public address may change without warning.

When you need to give someone your IP address, ask first whether they need your local or public address. If they are helping you troubleshoot your home network or set up a device on your Wi-Fi, they want your local address. If they are setting up remote access or checking your internet connection, they want your public address.

Common mistakes and what to check

The most common mistake is confusing your local address with your public address. If you visit a website that shows your IP and it does not match what you see in your network settings, that is normal — the website is showing your public address, and your settings are showing your local one.

Another mistake is assuming your IP address never changes. Local addresses can change if you restart your router or if your device reconnects to the network. Public addresses change on their own schedule set by your internet service provider. If you are setting up remote access or port forwarding, check whether your router offers a static IP option or a dynamic DNS service to handle address changes automatically.

If you see an address starting with 169.254, your device is not connected to the network properly. Restart your router, forget the Wi-Fi network on your device, and reconnect. If the problem persists, restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different identifier used only on your local network, while your IP address is used for internet communication. MAC addresses look like six pairs of letters and numbers (00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E), while IP addresses are four numbers separated by periods. You rarely need your MAC address unless you are setting up a new device on your home network.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP address can be used to find your approximate location — usually your city or region, not your exact address. Your local IP address cannot be seen by anyone outside your home network. If you are concerned about privacy, consider using a VPN service, which masks your public IP address.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Most home internet plans use dynamic IP addresses, which your internet service provider reassigns periodically. This is normal and happens automatically. If you need a permanent address for remote access or port forwarding, contact your internet service provider about a static IP option, or use a dynamic DNS service that updates automatically when your address changes.

What if I cannot access my router's settings page at 192.168.1.1?

Try 192.168.0.1 instead — different routers use different default addresses. If neither works, check the back or bottom of your router for a label showing the correct address. You can also find it by opening Command Prompt on Windows and typing ipconfig, then looking for the "Default Gateway" address.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

You do not need to memorize it, but it is helpful to write down your local IP address if you are setting up a device on your home network or troubleshooting a connection. Your public IP address changes regularly, so there is no point writing it down — just visit an IP lookup website whenever you need it.