Finding Your IP Address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to open Command Prompt and type a single command. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. When the black window opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP address, the one your computer uses on your home or office network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.

If you need your public IP address instead (the one your internet provider assigns to your whole network), open any web browser and search for "what is my IP." The first result will show it. Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them; your local IP is what your router sees.

You can also find your local IP through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status. Scroll down and click "View your network properties." The IPv4 Address field shows the same number Command Prompt displays.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On Mac, open System Preferences and click Network. Your local IP address appears in the window under the connection you are using — Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It is labeled "IP Address" and usually starts with 192.168.

If you prefer the command line, open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Scroll through the output and look for "inet" followed by a number. That is your local IP. The Terminal method shows more detail if you need it, but System Preferences is simpler for most people.

For your public IP on Mac, use the same method as Windows: open a browser and search "what is my IP."

Finding Your IP Address on Linux

Linux users can open a terminal and type hostname -I to see the local IP address when ready. If that does not work, type ifconfig or ip addr — both show the same information in slightly different formats. Look for "inet" followed by a number starting with 192.168 or 10.

Different Linux distributions may display the information slightly differently, but the commands are the same across most versions. If you are using a graphical desktop, you can also right-click the network icon in the system tray and select connection details, though the terminal method is faster.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is used only within your home or office network. Every device on your network has one. These addresses never leave your network — they are private. Local IPs are useful when you need to connect to a printer, access a network drive, or set up a device on your own network.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to every website you visit. It identifies your entire network to the outside world. If you need to access your computer remotely from another location, you use the public IP. Most people do not need to know their public IP unless they are setting up remote access or troubleshooting a connection issue.

You can have the same local IP address as someone else in a different city — local IPs are not unique globally. Public IPs are unique; no two networks on the internet have the same one at the same time.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

You need your local IP when you are setting up a device on your network, connecting to a printer, or accessing your computer from another device in the same house. You also need it if you are troubleshooting network problems and a technician asks for it.

You need your public IP if you want to access your computer remotely from outside your home, if you are setting up a server, or if a website is blocking your connection and you need to know what address it is seeing. Some online games and applications also ask for your public IP for connection purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for "IPv4 Address" to find your local IP in seconds.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences, click Network, and read the IP Address field directly from the window.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address.
  • Your local IP (192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) is used only on your home network; your public IP is what the internet sees and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • You need your local IP for devices on your own network and your public IP for remote access or troubleshooting with your internet provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP can change if your router restarts or if you reconnect to the network, though it usually stays the same for months. Your public IP changes less often but can shift if your modem restarts or your service is interrupted. If you need a stable address for remote access, you can set a static IP in your router settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP is generally safe — websites already see it. Sharing your local IP is only useful to people on your network. However, do not share either with strangers online, as someone with your public IP could attempt to find open ports or vulnerabilities on your network.

What if ipconfig or ifconfig does not work?

Make sure you typed the command correctly and pressed Enter. On Windows, you must be in Command Prompt, not PowerShell (though PowerShell works too). On Mac and Linux, make sure you are in Terminal. If the command still does not run, your system may have a different network configuration — try the graphical method through Settings or System Preferences instead.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP by adjusting your router settings or by setting a static IP on your computer. Changing your public IP is harder — you can restart your modem and wait for your provider to assign a new one, but you cannot choose which one. Most people do not need to change either address.