Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network

Every device connected to the internet or a local network has an IP address — a unique string of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.5. Your computer uses this address to send and receive data. You may need to find it to troubleshoot network problems, set up a printer, connect to a remote device, or configure your router.

The method depends on your operating system. Windows, Mac, and Linux each store this information in different places, but all three can show it to you in under a minute using built-in tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users can open System Settings, select Network, click the active connection, and read the IP address shown in the details pane.
  • Linux users can open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to display all IP addresses on the system.
  • Your local IP address (starting with 192.168 or 10.) is different from your public IP address, which your internet provider assigns to your entire household.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, you can visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or type "what is my IP" into a search engine.

Finding your IP address in 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 system will display a list of network adapters and their settings. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address — the number next to it is your local IP address. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10. and contains four groups of numbers separated by periods.

If you have multiple network adapters listed (for example, Ethernet and Wi-Fi), find the one you are currently using. The active connection will have an IPv4 Address listed; inactive ones may show 0.0.0.0 or no address at all.

Finding your IP address on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). In the sidebar, click Network.

You will see a list of network connections on the left — Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or both. Click the connection you are currently using. On the right side of the window, under the connection details, you will see IP Address displayed clearly. This is your local IP address.

If you are connected to Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi option will show a blue dot next to it. If you are using Ethernet, that connection will be marked as active instead.

Finding your IP address in Linux

Open a terminal window. You can usually do this by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Open Terminal" or by searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. The system will display your IP address or addresses on the local network. If you want more detailed information about all network interfaces, type ip addr instead. This command shows each adapter and all addresses assigned to it.

Look for the line labeled inet under the active connection — the number next to it is your local IP address. Ignore lines labeled inet6, which are IPv6 addresses (a newer format not yet in common use).

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you found using the methods above is your local IP address — it identifies your computer within your home or office network. It is assigned by your router and usually starts with 192.168, 10., or 172.16.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet service provider and identifies your entire household or business to the outside internet. Websites and online services see your public IP, not your local one. To find your public IP, visit whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP address" in any search engine.

You need your local IP address for tasks like setting up a printer on your network, connecting to a computer remotely within your home, or configuring your router. You need your public IP address if you are troubleshooting with your internet provider or setting up port forwarding.

Why you might need your IP address

Network troubleshooting is the most common reason. If your internet is slow or unstable, your internet provider may ask for your IP address to check their records. If you cannot reach a specific device on your network, knowing your IP address helps you verify that your computer is connected properly.

Setting up shared devices also requires it. When you add a printer to your network, you often need to enter the printer's IP address into your computer. Similarly, if you want to access your computer from another device on the same network, you will need its IP address.

Some software and games also ask for your IP address during setup, particularly if they involve local network play or remote access. Knowing how to find it quickly saves time and frustration.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the methods above do not show an IP address, your computer may not be connected to a network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in. Wait a few seconds and try the command again — sometimes it takes a moment for the system to assign an address.

If you are connected but still see no address, restart your router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the lights to stabilize. Then try the command again. If the problem persists, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly, and you may need to restart your computer or contact your internet provider.

On Windows, if Command Prompt does not open, try pressing the Windows key and R together, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. On Mac, if System Settings does not show a Network option, check that you are using the correct version of macOS — very old versions use System Preferences instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a network address that identifies your computer on the internet or local network. Your MAC address is a hardware address that identifies your network card itself. They serve different purposes and look different — MAC addresses are usually written as six pairs of letters and numbers separated by colons, like AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF.

Can someone harm me if they know my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it is not secret. Knowing it alone does not let someone access your computer or steal your data — your router and firewall protect against that. However, it is still wise not to share it unnecessarily. Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your own network, so it carries no external risk.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Most home internet providers assign a new public IP address each time you restart your router or after a set period of time. This is normal. Your local IP address may also change if your router restarts or if you reconnect to the network, though many routers are set to assign the same local address to the same device each time. If you need a permanent address, you can set a static IP in your router settings.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four groups of numbers (like 192.168.1.5) and are the standard format in use today. IPv6 addresses use a longer format with letters and numbers (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) and were created because IPv4 addresses are running out. Most home networks still use IPv4, but IPv6 is becoming more common.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

You do not need to memorize it, but it can be helpful to write it down if you are setting up a device or troubleshooting a problem. You can always find it again using the same method. If you set up a static IP address for a specific device, writing it down helps you remember which device has which address.