Finding Your IP Address in Windows

The fastest way to find your IP address on Windows is to open the Command Prompt and type a single command. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. When the black Command Prompt window opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. Your computer will display a list of network information. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address — the number next to it (usually starting with 192, 10, or 172) is your IP address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can find the same information through your network settings. Right-click the network icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, select Open Network & Internet settings, then click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected. Scroll down and select View your network properties. Your IPv4 address will appear under the connection details.

Both methods show you your local IP address — the address your computer uses within your home or office network. This is different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you visit them.

Finding Your IP Address on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Network. Select your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list on the left. Your local IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled as IPv4 Address.

You can also use the Terminal app if you prefer the command-line method. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Scroll through the output and find the line that says inet followed by a number — that is your local IP address.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for the IPv4 Address line to see your local IP address.
  • On Mac, go to System Preferences or System Settings, select Network, and choose your active connection to view your IPv4 address.
  • The IP address you find this way is your local address used within your home or office network, not the public address websites see.
  • Both Windows and Mac also allow you to find this information through graphical settings menus if you prefer not to use the command line.

The Difference Between Local and Public IP Addresses

Your computer actually has two IP addresses. The local IP address (also called a private IP address) is what your router assigns to your device and is used only within your home or office network. This is the number you see when you follow the steps above. Local IP addresses always start with 192.168, 10, or 172.16 through 172.31.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what the outside world sees when you browse the web or send data online. To find your public IP address, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or ipchicken.com and it will display the address when ready. Your public IP address changes periodically — sometimes daily, sometimes monthly, depending on your internet service provider's settings.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

You need your local IP address when you want to access your router's settings, set up port forwarding for online gaming or video streaming, or troubleshoot network problems. You also need it if you are setting up a printer, security camera, or other device on your home network and need to connect to it directly.

Your public IP address matters when you are troubleshooting internet connectivity issues with your service provider, checking if your location is being tracked, or setting up remote access to your computer from outside your home network. Some online services also use your public IP to block or allow access based on your location.

Finding Your IP Address on Different Network Connections

If you are connected to Wi-Fi, the steps above will show your IP address on that Wi-Fi network. If you switch to a wired Ethernet connection, your computer will receive a different local IP address from your router. Both are valid — your computer straightforward has a different address on each network.

If you are on a public Wi-Fi network (at a coffee shop, library, or airport), the IP address you see is still your local address on that network. Your public IP address remains the same regardless of which network you are connected to, because it comes from your internet service provider, not from the local network.

Troubleshooting IP Address Problems

If the ipconfig command (Windows) or ifconfig command (Mac) shows no IP address or shows an address starting with 169.254, your computer is not properly connected to the network. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart. After the router restarts, restart your computer and check again.

If you still see no IP address after restarting both devices, check that your Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable is properly connected. On Windows, you can also try right-clicking the network icon and selecting Troubleshoot problems to run the built-in network troubleshooter. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network and click information me for guided troubleshooting steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same every time I turn on my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same as long as you remain connected to the same network and your router does not restart. Your public IP address changes periodically — sometimes daily, sometimes weekly — depending on your internet service provider. You cannot control when it changes.

Can someone find me using my IP address?

Your public IP address can be traced to your internet service provider and your general location (usually your city or region), but not to your exact home address. Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your home or office network, not to the outside world. If you are concerned about privacy, consider using a VPN service.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig?

Your computer may have multiple network connections active at once — for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, or a virtual network adapter. Each connection gets its own IP address. Look for the connection you are actually using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and use that IP address.

What should I do if I forgot my router's IP address?

Your router's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself. It is typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You can also find it by running ipconfig on Windows or ifconfig on Mac and looking for the line labeled Default Gateway.

Can I change my IP address?

You can request a new public IP address from your internet service provider by restarting your modem and router, though you cannot control what address you receive. Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can be changed through your router's settings, but this is rarely necessary and can break connections to devices that depend on a fixed address.