Finding Your IP Address Using the Command Prompt

The fastest way to see your PC's IP address is through the Command Prompt, a text-based tool built into Windows. Open the Start menu, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window will appear with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. Your screen will fill with network information. Look for the section labeled Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter — whichever matches how your PC connects to the internet. Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number that looks like 192.168.1.100 or similar. That is your local IP address — the one your home or office network uses to identify your PC.

If you see multiple adapters listed, find the one with an IPv4 address that is not 127.0.0.1 (that is your PC talking to itself). Write down the number or take a screenshot so you have it handy.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Command Prompt when you type ipconfig and press Enter, listed next to "IPv4 Address" under your active network adapter.
  • A local IP address (like 192.168.1.100) identifies your PC on your home or office network, while your public IP address is what the internet sees when you browse.
  • Windows Settings also shows your local IP address under Network settings, without needing to use Command Prompt.
  • Your IP address can change if your router restarts or your PC reconnects to the network, so check it again if you need the current one.

Checking Your IP Address in Windows Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings offers a simpler visual method. Open the Start menu and type Settings, then click the Settings app. On the left side, click Network & internet.

Click Wi-Fi if you use wireless, or Ethernet if you use a wired connection. Then click the name of your network (for Wi-Fi) or the adapter name (for Ethernet). Scroll down to the "IP settings" section. Your IPv4 address will be listed there in the same format as the Command Prompt method.

This route takes a few more clicks but shows the same information in a window you can read without technical knowledge. Both methods show your local IP address — the address your PC uses on your home or office network.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

Your PC actually has two IP addresses, and knowing the difference matters. Your local IP address (like 192.168.1.100) is what your home or office router assigns to your PC. Only devices on your same network can see this address. This is the number you need if you are setting up a printer, connecting to a shared drive, or troubleshooting a network problem.

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when you browse. It belongs to your internet service provider and is shared by all devices in your home or office that go through the same router. If you need your public IP address — for example, to set up remote access or check your location — you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser. The search results will show your public address at the top.

For most home and office tasks, you need the local address. The public address matters only if you are setting up something that reaches you from outside your network.

Why Your IP Address Might Change

When you check your IP address today and again in a week, the number might be different. This happens because your router assigns addresses dynamically — it hands out a new one each time your PC connects or after a set period of time. This is normal and usually not a problem.

If you need your IP address to stay the same — for example, to set up a printer that always prints from the same PC — you can assign a static IP address in your router settings. This tells the router to always give that PC the same number. The exact steps depend on your router model, but most router setup pages (usually accessed by typing your router's IP address into a browser) have a section for DHCP reservations or static IP assignments.

For everyday use, a changing IP address causes no problems. Devices on your network will still find each other, and your internet will work normally.

Finding the IP Address of Another PC on Your Network

Sometimes you need to know another PC's IP address — to send a file, set up a shared printer, or troubleshoot a connection. Open Command Prompt on your own PC and type ipconfig /all. This shows more detail than the basic ipconfig command, including your gateway address (usually something like 192.168.1.1).

To see all devices currently connected to your network, you can use the command arp -a in Command Prompt. This lists the IP addresses and physical addresses of devices your PC has recently communicated with. However, this list only shows devices your PC has actually talked to, not every device on the network.

A simpler method is to check your router's admin page. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check your router's label if unsure). Log in with your router's username and password. Most routers have a page showing all connected devices with their IP addresses and names. This gives you a complete picture of every device currently on your network.

Common Reasons to Know Your PC's IP Address

Knowing your IP address becomes necessary in several situations. If you are setting up a network printer, you often need to enter the printer's IP address into your PC, or vice versa. If you are troubleshooting a slow connection, your internet service provider might ask for your IP address to check their logs. If you are sharing files between PCs on the same network, you might need to type another PC's IP address to connect to it.

Remote access tools — programs that let you control your PC from another location — sometimes require you to know your public IP address. Network administrators use IP addresses to track devices, assign permissions, and manage security. Even if you never need this information, knowing where to find it quickly saves time when a problem comes up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 127.0.0.1 address mean?

That address is your PC talking to itself, called the loopback address. It is not your real network address. Ignore it and look for the IPv4 address under your actual network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).

Is my IP address private information I should hide?

Your local IP address (192.168.x.x) is only visible to devices on your own network, so there is no privacy risk. Your public IP address is visible to websites you visit, but it only reveals your general location and internet provider — not your identity or home address.

Can I change my IP address myself?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and changes automatically over time. You can request a new one by restarting your router or unplugging it for 30 seconds. You cannot change your public IP address directly, but restarting your modem may assign you a new one.

Why does ipconfig show multiple adapters?

Your PC may have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters, or virtual adapters for VPN or other software. Only the adapter you are actively using to connect to the internet will have a real IPv4 address. The others will show no address or a 169.x.x.x address, which means they are not connected.

Do I need my IP address to use the internet normally?

No. Your PC and router handle IP addresses automatically in the background. You only need to know your IP address if you are setting up a device, troubleshooting a problem, or connecting to another PC on your network.