Your computer has two IP addresses you might need: one for your local network and one for the internet

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on a network, the same way a street address identifies a house. Most computers have two: a local IP address (used only within your home or office network) and a public IP address (how the internet sees you). The method to find each one differs, and which one you need depends on what you are trying to do — troubleshoot a printer on your home network, set up remote access, or check what address websites see when you visit them.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their local IP address by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt and looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users open Terminal and type ifconfig to see the local IP address next to "inet" under the active network connection.
  • Linux users run ip addr or ifconfig in the terminal to display all network addresses on the system.
  • Your public IP address (the one websites see) can be found by visiting a site like whatismyipaddress.com or by searching "what is my IP" in any search engine.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0, while public addresses are the full internet-facing number assigned by your internet provider.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your active network connection (usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address, typically something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, focus on the one that shows an IPv4 Address with actual numbers rather than zeros. If you are on Wi-Fi, scroll down until you find the wireless adapter section. Write down the full number if you need it for printer setup, remote access, or network troubleshooting.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open Terminal by pressing Command + Space, typing terminal, and pressing Enter. Type ifconfig and press Enter. A long list of network interfaces will appear. Look for the section labeled en0 (for Ethernet) or en1 (for Wi-Fi, depending on your Mac model). Under that section, find the line that starts with "inet" — the number after it is your local IP address.

On newer Macs with Apple Silicon, the Wi-Fi interface may be labeled differently. If you are unsure which section is active, look for the one that shows both an "inet" address and a "netmask" — that is your current connection. The address will look like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip addr and press Enter. This displays all network interfaces and their addresses. Look for the section labeled with your active connection — usually eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line starting with "inet" and note the IP address that follows.

If ip addr does not work on your system, try ifconfig instead — older Linux distributions use this command. Both show the same information; ip addr is straightforward the newer standard. Ignore any addresses that start with 127.0 (that is your computer talking to itself) or any that are all zeros.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP address" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com, iplocation.net, or myipaddress.com. The site will display your public IP address when ready — usually a four-part number like 203.45.67.89.

Your public IP address comes from your internet service provider and changes periodically (usually when you restart your modem or router, or on a schedule set by your provider). It is different from your local IP address, which stays the same on your home network. If you are checking your public address for security reasons or to troubleshoot internet access, this is the number that matters to the outside world.

When you need each type of IP address

Use your local IP address when you are setting up devices on your home or office network — connecting a printer, accessing a security camera, setting up a network drive, or troubleshooting why a device is not connecting. You also need it if you are setting up remote access to your own computer from another device on the same network.

Use your public IP address when you are troubleshooting internet connectivity, checking whether a website is blocking your address, or setting up remote access from outside your home network. Some services also ask for your public IP to whitelist your connection for security. If someone asks for "your IP address" without specifying local or public, they usually mean your public one.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the commands above do not show an address, your network connection may not be active. Check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in or that you are connected to Wi-Fi — your computer should show a network icon in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). If you are connected but still see no address, restart your computer and try again.

If you are on a corporate or school network, your local IP address may be assigned by a DHCP server and could change each time you connect. Write it down when you find it, but do not be surprised if it is different the next day. For public IP address issues, restart your modem and router (unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in) and check again — this often assigns you a new public address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 or 10.0?

These ranges are reserved for private networks and are used by every home and office router. Your router assigns these addresses to devices on your local network so they can talk to each other. They are not routable on the public internet, which is why you need a different public IP address to reach websites.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so sharing it is not a security risk by itself. Your local IP address should not be shared with strangers, but it is only useful to someone already on your network. Neither address alone reveals your identity or location with precision.

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your computer is offline for a long time. Your public IP address changes when you restart your modem, and your internet provider may change it periodically. If you need a stable public address, contact your provider about a static IP option.

What if I see multiple IP addresses on my computer?

Computers can have multiple network adapters (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, virtual networks), and each shows its own address. Focus on the one you are actively using — if you are on Wi-Fi, use the Wi-Fi adapter address; if you are plugged in, use the Ethernet address. Virtual adapters or disabled connections can be ignored.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can usually be changed through the router settings if needed, though this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and cannot be changed directly — restarting your modem may assign you a new one, but you cannot choose it. Some providers offer static IP as a paid service.