The fastest way to find your IP address

Your PC has two IP addresses: a local IP address that identifies it on your home or office network, and a public IP address that identifies your entire network to the internet. The quickest way to find your local IP address is to open Command Prompt and type a single command. The quickest way to find your public IP address is to visit a website that displays it.

For your local IP address, press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP address, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0. For your public IP address, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The address displayed is what the rest of the internet sees when your PC connects.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Command Prompt when you type ipconfig and look for the "IPv4 Address" line.
  • Your public IP address is visible when ready by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Windows Settings also shows your local IP address under Network settings, without needing Command Prompt.
  • Your local IP address changes rarely; your public IP address may change when your internet provider reassigns it.

Finding your local IP address in Windows Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings provides the same information in a graphical menu. Press the Windows key, type Settings, and press Enter. Select Network & Internet, then click Wi-Fi (if you are connected by Wi-Fi) or Ethernet (if you are connected by cable).

Click the name of your network connection. Scroll down to the "IP settings" section. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 address". This method takes slightly longer than Command Prompt but shows the same address and is easier to read if you are not comfortable with text commands.

Understanding the difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is used only within your home or office network. Other devices on the same Wi-Fi or ethernet connection use it to find your PC — for example, if you are sharing files or printing to a network printer. This address almost never changes unless you manually alter your network settings or your router is reset.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to websites and services you connect to online. It changes periodically — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly — when your ISP reassigns addresses. You do not need to do anything to cause this change; it happens automatically. Knowing your public IP is useful for remote access, checking your location, or troubleshooting connection problems with your ISP.

Why you might need to know your IP address

You may need your local IP address to set up a network printer, access your PC remotely from another device on the same network, or troubleshoot a connection problem. You may need your public IP address to contact your ISP about a service issue, to check whether a website is blocking your location, or to set up remote access from outside your home network.

Some people also check their public IP address out of curiosity or to verify that their VPN is working correctly — if you turn on a VPN and your public IP changes to a different city or country, the VPN is routing your traffic as intended. Knowing both addresses helps you understand how your PC connects to other devices and to the wider internet.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

If your local IP address changes frequently, your router may be set to assign addresses randomly rather than reserving a fixed address for your PC. This is usually not a problem for everyday use, but it can cause issues if you are trying to access your PC remotely or set up port forwarding. To fix this, log into your router's settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser) and look for a section called "DHCP reservations" or "static IP". You can then assign your PC a fixed local IP address that will not change.

If your public IP address changes and you need it to stay the same, contact your internet service provider. Some ISPs offer static public IP addresses for an additional monthly fee, which is useful if you run a server or need consistent remote access. For most home users, a changing public IP address is normal and requires no action.

Using third-party tools to check your IP address

Beyond Command Prompt and Windows Settings, several free websites and applications can display your IP information. Sites like ipconfig.co, myip.com, and iplocation.net show your public IP address along with your approximate location and ISP name. Some also display your local IP address if you are on a network they can detect.

Windows also includes a Network Diagnostics tool that displays IP information alongside other connection details. To access it, press the Windows key, type Network troubleshooter, and select "Identify and repair network problems". This tool is useful if you are experiencing connection issues and want to see all your network settings in one place. For most purposes, however, Command Prompt or Windows Settings is faster and sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your PC on a network (like 192.168.1.5). Your MAC address is a different identifier built into your network card that identifies your hardware. Both are useful for different purposes — IP addresses route data to your PC, while MAC addresses identify your physical device on a local network.

Can someone find me using my public IP address?

Your public IP address reveals your approximate location — usually your city or region, not your exact street address. Websites you visit can see your public IP, but they cannot see inside your home network or access your files without your permission. If you want to hide your public IP from websites, you can use a VPN service, which routes your traffic through another server.

Why does my IP address show a different location than where I actually am?

IP location databases are not perfectly accurate. Your public IP is assigned to a region by your ISP, but the database that maps IP addresses to locations may place you in a nearby city or even a different state. This is normal and not a sign of a problem. If a website is blocking you based on location, contact the website's support team to report the error.

Do I need to change my IP address for security reasons?

Changing your local IP address is not necessary for security. Your local IP is only visible to devices on your own network. Changing your public IP is also not required — your ISP assigns it automatically, and changing it would not improve your security. If you are concerned about privacy online, a VPN is more effective than trying to change your IP address.