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. Most people need the local one. On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP. On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, click your active connection, and the IP address appears under "Configure IPv4". Your public IP shows up when ready on any site that says "what is my IP" — no installation needed.

Which one you need depends on what you are doing. If you are setting up a printer or camera on your home network, you need your local IP. If you are troubleshooting with your internet provider or giving someone remote access from outside your home, you need your public IP.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Command Prompt on Windows by typing ipconfig, or in System Settings on Mac under the active network connection.
  • Your public IP address can be found by visiting any "what is my IP" website in your browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and stay the same unless you restart your router or change network settings.
  • You need your local IP when setting up a printer, security camera, or game server on your home network.
  • Your public IP changes only when you restart your modem or after several days offline.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network adapters appears. Look for the one labeled "Ethernet" (if you are plugged in with a cable) or "Wireless LAN adapter" (if you are on Wi-Fi). Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.105 — that is your local IP.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, right-click the network icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select "Open Network & Internet settings", click "Advanced network options", then scroll down and click your active connection. Your IPv4 address appears on the next screen under "IP assignment".

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu, select "System Settings", then click "Network" in the sidebar. Your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) appears with a green dot. Click it, and the IP address is listed under "Configure IPv4" or straightforward labeled "IP Address". It usually looks like 192.168.1.50 or 10.0.0.15.

Alternatively, open System Preferences, click "Network", select your connection from the list on the left, and the IP address appears in the main panel on the right side. Both methods show the same information — use whichever is faster for you.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The page displays your public IP when ready — no software to install or settings to change. This address changes when you restart your router or when your internet service provider assigns you a new one, which can happen automatically.

Your public IP is useful if you need to give someone remote access to your PC, set up a VPN, or troubleshoot connection issues with your internet provider. Write it down if you need it for a specific task, but know that it may be different the next time you check.

Why you need to know your IP address

The most common reason to find your local IP is to connect a device to your network. If you are setting up a printer, security camera, smart speaker, or game server, you often need to type the IP address into your browser or app to reach its settings page. For example, entering 192.168.1.100 into your browser might open your printer's control panel, where you can change settings or check ink levels.

Your public IP matters less often, but you need it if you are troubleshooting with your internet provider, setting up remote access to your PC from outside your home, or checking whether your location is being blocked by a website. Some services also use your public IP to detect fraud or enforce regional restrictions.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Local IP addresses usually stay the same, but they can change if you restart your router, restart your PC, or if your router's DHCP settings reassign addresses. If you are setting up a device that needs a fixed address, you can assign a static IP to your PC so it does not change. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network options > More network adapter options, right-click your connection, select Properties, click IPv4 Properties, and choose "Use the following IP address" instead of "Obtain an IP address automatically".

On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, click your connection, then click "Details" and set a static IP under the TCP/IP tab. Your public IP changes less often — usually only when you restart your modem or after several days of being offline. If you need a permanent public IP for remote access, contact your internet provider about a static public IP, though this typically costs extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number like 192.168.1.50 that identifies your PC on a network. Your MAC address is a different code like AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF that identifies your network card itself. You rarely need your MAC address unless you are setting up advanced network features like MAC filtering or wake-on-LAN.

Can someone hack me if they know my IP address?

Knowing your public IP alone does not let someone hack you — they would also need to find an open port and a vulnerability in your software. Your local IP is only visible to devices on your home network. If you are concerned about security, make sure your router's firewall is on (it usually is by default) and keep your Windows or Mac system updated.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig?

You may have multiple network adapters — for example, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Each one gets its own IP address. Use the one for the connection you are actually using. If you are on Wi-Fi, look under "Wireless LAN adapter". If you are plugged in with a cable, look under "Ethernet".

What if I cannot find my IP address in Command Prompt?

Make sure you typed ipconfig correctly and pressed Enter. If the command does not run, try opening Command Prompt as an administrator: right-click the Command Prompt icon and select "Run as administrator". If you still see no results, your network connection may not be active — check that your Wi-Fi is on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in.