Find your IP address in three steps on any operating system

Your computer's IP address is a unique number that identifies it on a network — like a mailing address for data. Every device connected to the internet or a local network has one. You may need it to troubleshoot connection problems, set up a printer, access your computer remotely, or configure network settings.

The fastest way depends on your operating system. Windows users open Command Prompt and type one command. Mac users open Terminal and type another. Linux users do the same in their terminal. All three methods take less than a minute and show both your local network address and your public internet address.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one on your home or office network) starts with 192.168 or 10.0 on most networks and appears in Command Prompt, Terminal, or system settings.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Windows users type ipconfig in Command Prompt; Mac and Linux users type ifconfig or ip addr in Terminal.
  • If you need the address of another computer on your network, you can find it through your router's settings or by asking that computer to show you its local IP.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing "cmd", and pressing Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter. The output will show several network adapters. Look for the one labeled "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi.

Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.105. That is your local IP address — the one your router uses to identify your computer. Below that, "Default Gateway" shows your router's address, usually 192.168.1.1. Write down the IPv4 address if you need it for setup or troubleshooting.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, right-click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar, select "Open Network & Internet settings", then click "Advanced network options" and scroll down to "IP settings". Your local address appears there as well.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Open Terminal by pressing Command + Space, typing "terminal", and pressing Enter. Type ifconfig and press Enter. You will see output for each network adapter on your machine. If you are on Wi-Fi, look for the section labeled "en0" or "en1". If you are plugged in with Ethernet, look for "en0" or "en2".

In that section, find the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after it — something like 192.168.1.110 — is your local IP address. The "netmask" line shows your subnet mask, and "broadcast" shows the broadcast address for your network. You only need the inet address for most purposes.

Alternatively, go to System Settings, click "Network" on the left, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and your local IP address appears under "IP Address" in the details pane.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip addr and press Enter. The output lists all network adapters and their addresses. Look for the adapter you are using — usually "eth0" for Ethernet or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi. Next to "inet" you will see your local IP address, like 192.168.1.115.

If ip addr does not work on your system, try the older command ifconfig instead. The output format is similar: find your active adapter and look for the "inet addr" or "inet" line. That number is your local IP address on the network.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you found above — 192.168.1.something or 10.0.something — is your local IP address. It only works on your home or office network. Your router translates it when you send data to the internet, so websites and services see a different address: your public IP address.

Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically (usually every few months, unless you pay for a static address). To see your public IP, open any web browser and search "what is my IP". The first result will show a number like 203.45.67.89. That is what the outside internet sees when your computer connects.

You need your local IP for tasks like setting up a printer on your network, accessing your computer from another device at home, or configuring network storage. You need your public IP if you want someone outside your network to reach your computer remotely, or if you are troubleshooting an internet connection issue with your service provider.

Finding another computer's IP address on your network

If you need the IP address of a different computer, phone, or device on your network, the easiest way is to ask that device directly using the steps above. But if you cannot access that device, you can find it through your router.

Log into your router by opening a web browser and typing 192.168.1.1 (or 10.0.0.1 on some networks). You will be prompted for a username and password — check the sticker on your router or your internet bill if you do not know them. Once logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "DHCP Clients", or "Device List". That page shows every device on your network and its local IP address.

Alternatively, on Windows, you can open Command Prompt and type arp -a to see a list of all devices that have recently communicated with your computer. The output shows IP addresses and their corresponding MAC addresses (hardware identifiers). This method works best if the device you are looking for has been active recently.

Troubleshooting when your IP address is not showing

If the commands above do not show an IP address, or if you see "169.254.x.x" instead of "192.168.x.x", your computer is not properly connected to the network. Check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in firmly, or that you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and have entered the password correctly.

Restart your computer and try again. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully boot, then check your IP address again. If you still see no address or a 169.254 address, contact your internet service provider — there may be an issue with your connection or your router's DHCP server (the part that assigns addresses).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 192.168 or 10.0 at the start of my IP address mean?

These are private IP ranges reserved for local networks. Any router can use them, which is why your home network and your office network might both have devices at 192.168.1.1. The internet does not route traffic to these addresses — they only work within your own network. Your router translates them to your public IP when you send data outside.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP can be changed through your router settings or your computer's network settings, but most people should not do this unless they have a specific reason (like setting up a static address for a printer). Your public IP changes on its own periodically and cannot be changed without contacting your internet service provider. If you want a permanent public IP, some providers offer static IP service for an extra fee.

Is my IP address private or can others see it?

Your local IP is private — only devices on your network can see it. Your public IP is visible to any website or service you connect to, but it does not reveal your home address or personal information by itself. Your internet service provider can link your public IP to your account, but strangers cannot.

Why do I need my IP address for a printer or network drive?

Printers and network storage devices need an address so your computer knows where to send print jobs or file requests. You either type the device's IP address into your computer's settings, or your computer finds it automatically if both are on the same network. Knowing the IP address lets you set it up manually if automatic discovery does not work.

What if my IP address keeps changing?

Most home networks use DHCP, which assigns a new local IP each time your computer connects. This is normal and usually not a problem. If you need a device to stay at the same address (like a printer), you can assign it a static IP through your router settings. Your public IP also changes periodically, but that is controlled by your internet service provider, not your computer.