The fastest way to find your IP address

Your PC has two IP addresses: a local IP address (used on your home or office network) and a public IP address (how the internet sees you). Most of the time you need the local one. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP. On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears on the right side of the window.

If you need your public IP address instead, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" — the first result will show it. You can also visit sites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipchicken.com, which display your public IP when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one you usually need) appears in Command Prompt on Windows after typing ipconfig and looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, your local IP is in System Settings under Network, displayed next to your active connection.
  • Your public IP address is what websites see and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Local IP addresses typically start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only when you restart your router or manually reassign them.

Finding your local IP on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" or "cmd", then press Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information will appear. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it (usually something like 192.168.1.5) is your local IP address. Write it down if you need it for a printer, router settings, or connecting devices on your network.

If you see multiple IPv4 addresses listed, you likely have more than one network connection. The one under "Ethernet adapter" is your wired connection; the one under "Wireless LAN adapter" is your Wi-Fi. Use whichever one your PC is actually connected through.

Finding your local IP on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the left sidebar. Select the connection you are using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Your IP address appears on the right side of the window next to "IP Address". If you do not see it, make sure the connection is active (it should show "Connected" in green).

If you use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, check both to see which one is currently active. Your Mac will have a different local IP for each connection type, though usually only one is in use at a time.

What your IP address tells you

Your local IP address identifies your PC on your home or office network. It stays the same until you restart your router or manually change it in your network settings. You need it when you want to access your PC from another device on the same network, set up port forwarding on your router, or connect a printer or smart home device. Local IPs always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how websites identify your location and connection. It changes whenever your router restarts or your ISP reassigns it. Websites and online services see your public IP, not your local one. If you are troubleshooting a connection issue with a website or service, they may ask for your public IP.

Why you might need your IP address

You need your local IP when setting up devices on your home network. If you are connecting a smart TV, printer, or security camera, you may need to enter your PC's IP address to let them communicate. You also need it if you want to access files on your PC from another device in the house, or if you are configuring your router and need to identify which device is using how much bandwidth.

You need your public IP if a website or online service is blocking your connection and asks for your IP to whitelist it. Some online games or remote access tools also ask for your public IP when you are troubleshooting connection problems. Your ISP may ask for it if you are reporting a network issue.

How to remember your IP address

If you use your local IP often, write it down or take a screenshot. You can also set a static IP address in your router settings so it never changes — this is useful if you frequently access your PC from other devices. Most routers let you reserve an IP for a specific device, which keeps it the same even after restarts.

For your public IP, there is no need to memorize it since it changes periodically and you can look it up in seconds. Bookmark a site like whatismyipaddress.com if you check it often, or straightforward search "what is my IP" each time you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

Your local IP is used only within your home or office network, while your public IP is how the internet and websites identify your connection. Think of it like your home address versus your mailing address — one is for people in your building, the other is for the outside world.

Will my IP address change if I restart my PC?

Your local IP usually stays the same after a PC restart, but it may change if you restart your router. Your public IP may change after a router restart, depending on your ISP. If you need an IP that never changes, you can set a static IP in your router settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it is not a security risk. Your local IP should not be shared outside your home network. Neither IP alone reveals personal information, but combined with other data they can be used to track your location roughly.

What if ipconfig does not show my IP address?

Make sure your PC is connected to the network — check that Wi-Fi is on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in. If you are still not seeing an IP, your network connection may not be working. Try unplugging your router for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and running ipconfig again.