Your computer has two IP addresses you might need to find

Your computer has an IP address — a number that identifies it on a network so other devices can send data to it. You likely have two: a local IP address (used only inside your home or office network) and a public IP address (how the internet sees you). Most of the time you need the local one. Finding either takes less than a minute and requires no special software.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the idea is the same: you open a system tool and read the number off the screen. This guide covers all three.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is what you need to connect to printers, security cameras, or other devices on your home network.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, and look for "IPv4 address" under your active connection.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and read the IP address shown in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see your local IP address when ready.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Network & Internet on the left side. You will see your current connection listed — either "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on how you are connected.

Click on the connection name. A details pane will open on the right side. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address. The number next to it (something like 192.168.1.50) is your local IP address. Write it down if you need it for a printer or other device setup.

If you do not see the details pane, try this alternative: press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black command window, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Network in the left sidebar. You will see your current connection listed — Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Click on the connection you are using. A details pane appears on the right. Look for the line that says IP Address. The number shown (usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) is your local IP address. If you need it for a device, you can copy it by clicking on the number.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type the command hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. This is the fastest method on any system if you are comfortable with the terminal.

If that command does not work, try ip addr show instead. Look for a line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6") — the number after it is your local IP address.

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" or "my IP address." The first result will show your public IP in large text.

Alternatively, you can visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io without searching. These sites display your public IP as soon as they load. Your public IP changes periodically (usually when you restart your router or after several days), so do not be surprised if it is different next time you check.

When you need each type of IP address

Use your local IP address when you are setting up a device on your home or office network — a printer, security camera, smart speaker, or network storage drive. You enter the local IP into your browser's address bar (like 192.168.1.50) to reach that device's control panel. You also need it if you are troubleshooting network problems with your internet provider.

Use your public IP address only if someone outside your network needs to reach a service you are running on your computer, or if you are checking whether your internet provider has changed your address. Most people never need their public IP for anything.

Common reasons your IP address might change

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router, if your computer has been offline for a while, or if your router's settings are configured to assign addresses randomly. If you need a device to stay at the same IP address (like a printer), you can usually set a static IP or DHCP reservation in your router settings — check your router's manual for how to do this.

Your public IP changes when your internet provider assigns you a new one, which happens periodically but not on a fixed schedule. If you need a permanent public IP, your internet provider may offer a static IP service, usually for an extra monthly fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

Your local IP is assigned by your router and is only used inside your network. Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider and is how the outside internet identifies your connection. Devices on your home network use the local IP to talk to each other; the internet uses the public IP to send data to your router.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites already know it when you visit them. Sharing your local IP address is also safe in most cases, but avoid giving it to people you do not trust, since it could be used to attempt unauthorized access to devices on your network.

What if I cannot find the IP address in Settings?

Make sure you are looking at the correct connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). If you are using a VPN, the IP shown may be from the VPN provider instead of your actual connection. Disconnect the VPN temporarily to see your real IP. If you still cannot find it, try the command-line method for your operating system instead.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP can be changed through your router settings or by setting a static address on your computer. Your public IP can be changed by restarting your router, though your internet provider may assign you the same one again. If you need a permanent public IP, contact your internet provider about their static IP options.