Your PC has two IP addresses, and which one you need depends on what you're trying to do

Your computer has an IP address — a number that identifies it on a network so other devices can find it and send data to it. Most of the time you won't need to know it. But if you're troubleshooting a network problem, setting up a printer, connecting to your PC remotely, or helping someone diagnose an issue, you'll need to find it.

Your PC actually has two different IP addresses. Your local IP address (also called a private IP address) is what devices on your home or office network use to talk to each other — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when your PC connects outward — it's assigned by your internet provider. The method you use depends on which one you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is used by devices on your home network to find your PC.
  • You can find your local IP address in Windows Settings under Network & Internet, or by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt.
  • Your public IP address is what the internet sees and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • If you need your PC's address to set up a printer or connect remotely, you almost always need the local IP address, not the public one.
  • Your local IP address can change if your router restarts, so if you need it to stay the same, you may need to set a static IP in your router settings.

Finding your local IP address in Windows Settings

The easiest way for most people is to use Windows Settings. Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), then go to Network & Internet. On the left side, click Wi-Fi if you're connected by wireless, or Ethernet if you're plugged in with a cable.

Click the name of the network you're connected to. Scroll down and look for IPv4 address — that's your local IP address. It will be a four-part number like 192.168.1.105. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to use it somewhere else.

Finding your local IP address using Command Prompt

If you prefer typing commands, or if Settings doesn't show the information clearly, Command Prompt will give you more detail. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. You'll see a list of network adapters. Look for the one you're using — usually Ethernet adapter if you're plugged in, or Wireless LAN adapter if you're on Wi-Fi. Next to IPv4 Address, you'll see your local IP address. Ignore the entries labeled "IPv6 Address" unless you specifically need that format.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when your PC connects to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or go to a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The first result will show your public IP address — a four-part number that your internet provider assigned to your home connection.

Your public IP address changes periodically (usually when your router restarts or your internet provider updates it), and it's shared by all devices in your home that connect through the same router. You rarely need this address unless you're setting up remote access to your PC from outside your home network, or troubleshooting an internet-wide issue with your provider.

When you need your local IP address versus your public one

Use your local IP address when you're setting up a device on your home network — connecting a printer, a smart speaker, a security camera, or accessing your PC from another device in the same house. You also use it if you're troubleshooting network problems with your IT person or manufacturer support.

Use your public IP address only if you're setting up remote access to your PC from outside your home (like accessing work files from a coffee shop), or if your internet provider asks for it while troubleshooting your connection. Most home users never need their public IP address.

Why your local IP address might change

Your router assigns your PC a local IP address automatically using a system called DHCP. Every time your router restarts, or after a certain amount of time passes, your PC may get a different local IP address. If you're setting up a printer or remote connection and you need the address to stay the same, this can be a problem.

To keep your local IP address from changing, you can set a static IP address in your router's settings. The exact steps depend on your router model, but generally you log into your router (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 in a browser), find the DHCP or Local Network settings, and assign your PC a fixed address. Your router's manual or manufacturer website will have the specific steps. If this sounds complicated, you can also just write down your current IP address and check it again if something stops working — it often won't have changed.

Troubleshooting if you can't find your IP address

If Command Prompt shows no IPv4 address, or if Settings shows "No internet" next to your network, your PC isn't connected to the network properly. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on (look for the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right of your screen), or that your ethernet cable is plugged in firmly on both ends.

If you're connected but still see no IP address, restart your PC and your router. Turn off the router, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your PC. Once both are back up, try the Settings or Command Prompt steps again. If you still see no address after that, your network adapter may need a driver update — check your PC manufacturer's support website for network driver downloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IP address myself?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and changes automatically. You can set a static IP in your router settings to keep it from changing, but you cannot straightforward pick any number — it has to be in the range your router uses. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and you cannot change it directly, though it will change on its own periodically.

Is my IP address private or can anyone see it?

Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your home network. Your public IP address is visible to any website you visit or service you connect to on the internet, but it only identifies your home connection, not your specific PC. Websites cannot see your local IP address from the internet.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you're setting up a device that needs to connect to your PC, like a printer or remote access software. For most everyday use, you don't need to know or remember your IP address. If you need it again later, you can always look it up the same way.

What if my IP address has a lot of numbers after it, like 192.168.1.105/24?

The main address is 192.168.1.105 — that's what you need. The "/24" part is the subnet mask, which tells your network how to route data. You can ignore it unless you're doing advanced network setup.