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 has an IP address — a unique identifier that lets your computer send and receive data. You have two types: a local IP address (used only on your home or office network) and a public IP address (how the wider internet sees you). Finding either one takes less than a minute and requires no special tools.

The method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. All three operating systems let you see both addresses through built-in tools — you do not need to read anything or restart your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and identifies your computer only within your home or office network.
  • Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how websites and online services identify your location and connection.
  • Windows users can find their local IP by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac and Linux users can open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to see the same information.
  • To find your public IP address, you can visit any IP-checking website or ask your router's admin page.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search box. Click the Command Prompt app when it appears. A black window will open with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will display a list of network information. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it (usually something like 192.168.1.100) is your local IP address. You will also see a "Default Gateway" line, which is your router's address on the same network.

If you have multiple network adapters (for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), you will see separate sections for each. Find the one labeled with the network you are currently using.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Terminal", and press Enter. The Terminal window will open.

Type ifconfig and press Enter. You will see several blocks of text, each starting with a name like "en0" or "en1" (these are your network adapters). Look for the block that corresponds to your current connection — if you are on Wi-Fi, find the section labeled "en0" or similar. Within that section, find the line starting with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" is your local IP address.

If the output is long and hard to read, you can type ifconfig | grep inet to see only the IP addresses without extra information.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window (the method varies by desktop environment, but usually involves right-clicking the desktop or using an process menu). Type ip addr and press Enter.

You will see numbered sections for each network adapter. Look for the section that corresponds to your active connection — usually labeled "eth0" for wired connections or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi. Within that section, find the line starting with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" and before the forward slash is your local IP address.

Alternatively, you can type hostname -I for a simpler output that shows only IP addresses.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is different from your local IP. Websites and online services see this address, not your local one.

The easiest way to find it is to visit a website that displays it for you. Open any web browser and go to a site like whatismyipaddress.com, ipinfo.io, or straightforward search "what is my IP" in Google. The page will display your public IP address when ready — no login or read required.

You can also find your public IP through your router's admin page. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar (or 192.168.0.1 if that does not work), and log in with your router's username and password. Look for a section labeled "WAN IP" or "Internet IP" — this is your public address. The exact location varies by router model.

Why you might need your IP address

You may need your local IP address to connect to your printer, access files on another computer on your network, or troubleshoot network problems. Tech support may also ask for it when you contact your internet service provider or router manufacturer.

Your public IP address is useful for understanding your general location (as seen by websites), checking if your IP has been blocked by a service, or setting up remote access to your computer from outside your home network. It changes periodically — usually when you restart your modem or after several days of continuous use.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the commands above do not work or produce confusing output, check that you are using the correct command for your operating system. Windows uses ipconfig, while Mac and Linux use ifconfig or ip addr. Typing the command incorrectly (including capitalization) will produce an error.

If your computer is not connected to any network, you will not see an active IP address. Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi or plugged in with an Ethernet cable before running the commands.

If you are still stuck, you can also check your IP address through your router's admin page or by visiting a public IP-checking website. Both methods work regardless of your operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a local IP and a public IP?

Your local IP is used only within your home or office network and lets your computer talk to your printer, router, and other devices nearby. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is how the wider internet identifies your connection. Websites see your public IP, not your local one.

Does my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your computer or router, or your router reassigns addresses. Your public IP address changes periodically — sometimes after a few days, sometimes after you restart your modem. Most home internet users have a dynamic public IP that changes automatically.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites already see it every time you visit. Sharing your local IP address is also safe in most cases, though you should not share it with strangers online. Never share your router's admin password, which is different from your IP address.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address through your router's settings, though this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address cannot be changed directly — it is assigned by your internet service provider. Restarting your modem may eventually result in a new public IP, but this is not may provide.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run these commands?

Multiple addresses appear because your computer may have multiple network adapters (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, virtual networks) or because the output includes both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Find the one labeled "IPv4 Address" or "inet" that corresponds to the network you are currently using.