The fastest way to find your IP address

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on a network — either your home Wi-Fi or a wired connection. Windows and Mac both show it in seconds through the command line, which is faster than clicking through settings menus.

On Windows, open the Command Prompt (search "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP address, the one your home network uses. On a Mac, open Terminal (search "Terminal" in Spotlight), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for "inet" under the active connection — that is your local IP address.

If you need your public IP address — the one the internet sees when you browse — both systems can show it through a web search. Type "what is my IP" into any search engine and the result appears at the top of the page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one your home network uses) appears in Command Prompt on Windows when you type ipconfig, or in Terminal on Mac when you type ifconfig.
  • Your public IP address (the one websites see) shows up when ready when you search "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only when you restart your router or reconnect to the network.
  • Public IP addresses are assigned by your internet provider and may change every few months or when you restart your modem.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing "cmd", and pressing Enter. The black command window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information appears on screen.

Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" (if you are plugged in with a cable) or "Wireless LAN adapter" (if you are on Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it — usually something like 192.168.1.105 — is your local IP address. Write it down if you need it for a printer, game server, or router settings.

If you see multiple adapters listed, use the one that matches how you are connected. If you are unsure which one is active, the one with an IPv4 Address assigned is the one your computer is using right now.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open Terminal by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal", and pressing Enter. The Terminal window opens. Type ifconfig and press Enter. A long list of network information appears.

Look for the section labeled "en0" (wired connection) or "en1" or "en5" (Wi-Fi, depending on your Mac model). Under that section, find the line that starts with "inet" followed by a number. That number — usually something like 192.168.1.105 — is your local IP address. If you are on Wi-Fi, look under the Wi-Fi section; if you are plugged in, look under the Ethernet section.

Ignore lines that start with "inet6" — those are IPv6 addresses, which are a different format and rarely needed for home use.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and online services see when you connect to them. It is assigned by your internet provider and is different from your local IP address. The simplest way to find it is to open any web browser and search "what is my IP".

Google, Bing, and other search engines show your public IP address at the very top of the search results — no clicking required. You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which display your public IP and some additional information like your approximate location and internet provider.

Your public IP address changes less often than you might think. Most home internet providers assign the same public IP for months or even years, unless you restart your modem or the provider reassigns it. If you need a stable public IP for remote access or hosting, contact your internet provider to ask about static IP options — some charge a small monthly fee for this.

Why you might need your IP address

Your local IP address is useful when you need to connect a device to your home network. Printers, smart home devices, and game consoles often ask for the IP address of the computer you want to connect to. Knowing your local IP makes that connection faster.

Your public IP address matters if you are troubleshooting internet problems with your provider, setting up remote access to your computer, or checking whether a website has blocked your connection. Some online services also ask for your public IP when you report a problem or request support.

Neither address is sensitive information — your local IP only works on your home network, and your public IP is visible to every website you visit anyway. You do not need to hide them from people on your own network.

What to do if the command does not work

If you type ipconfig or ifconfig and nothing appears, make sure you pressed Enter after typing the command. The command line does not run until you press Enter. If you still see an error, close the Command Prompt or Terminal window and try again.

If you are on Windows and the Command Prompt does not open when you search "cmd", try right-clicking on "Command Prompt" and selecting "Run as administrator". Some network settings require administrator access to display. On Mac, if Terminal does not open, make sure you are using the correct keyboard shortcut: Command + Space, then type "Terminal".

If you see multiple IP addresses listed and are not sure which one is yours, look for the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 — those are the standard ranges for home networks. Any address starting with 127 is your computer talking to itself and can be ignored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my IP address to hack me?

Your public IP address alone is not enough to hack your computer — it only tells someone where your internet connection is. They would still need to find an open port, know what software you are running, and exploit a specific weakness. A firewall (which Windows and Mac have built in) blocks most of these attempts. Your local IP address is only visible on your home network and poses no risk from the internet.

Why do I have more than one IP address?

Your computer may have both a wired connection and a Wi-Fi connection, each with its own local IP address. Only the one you are actively using matters. You also have a local IP (for your home network) and a public IP (for the internet), which are completely different numbers. This is normal and expected.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address usually stays the same when you restart your computer, unless your router reassigns it. Your public IP address rarely changes from a restart — it typically only changes when you restart your modem or your internet provider reassigns it. If you need an IP address to stay the same, contact your internet provider about a static IP option.

Is there a way to find someone else's IP address?

You can see the IP address of a website's server by using online tools, but finding the IP address of a person's home computer is not straightforward and usually requires their cooperation or a court order. If someone is harassing you online, report them to the platform they are using — the platform's support team can investigate with law enforcement if needed.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four numbers separated by dots (like 192.168.1.1) and are the standard most home networks still use. IPv6 addresses use a longer format with letters and numbers (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334) and are the newer standard designed to handle more devices. Most home users only need to worry about IPv4 for now.