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 you to the internet. Most of the time you need the local one. Open the Command Prompt (search "cmd" in the Windows search bar), 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.

If you need your public IP address instead — the one your internet service provider assigns to your router — open any web browser and search "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The number that appears is your public IP.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Command Prompt when you type ipconfig and look for "IPv4 Address".
  • Your public IP address shows up when ready when you search "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change rarely; public IP addresses can change when your router restarts.
  • You need your local IP to connect to printers, cameras, or other devices on your network; you need your public IP to troubleshoot internet problems or set up remote access.

Finding your local IP address through Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings shows your local IP address in a few clicks. Press the Windows key and type "Settings," then open the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then select Wi-Fi (if you are on wireless) or Ethernet (if you are plugged in with a cable).

Click the name of your network connection. Scroll down to "IP settings" and you will see your IPv4 address listed there. This is the same number that appears in Command Prompt, just easier to find if you do not like typing commands.

What your local IP address tells you

Your local IP address is the address other devices on your network use to reach your PC. If you want to print from your computer to a network printer, connect to a security camera on your home network, or set up file sharing with another computer in your house, you will need this address. It stays the same most of the time, though it can change if your router restarts or if your network is set up to reassign addresses automatically.

The first three numbers in your local IP address (like 192.168.1) identify your network; the last number identifies your specific PC. If your address is 192.168.1.105, then 192.168.1 is your network and 105 is your PC. Other devices on the same network will have the same first three numbers but a different last number.

What your public IP address tells you

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider to your router, and it is how websites and services on the internet identify your location and connection. When you visit a website, that site sees your public IP address, not your local one. Your public IP can change when your router restarts, when your internet service provider updates its systems, or after a period of inactivity.

You might need your public IP address to troubleshoot internet connection problems with your service provider, to set up remote access to your PC from outside your home, or to understand why a website is blocking you. Unlike your local IP, which is private to your network, your public IP is visible to anyone on the internet.

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6

You may see two addresses listed when you run ipconfig: an IPv4 address and an IPv6 address. IPv4 is the older standard and looks like four numbers separated by periods (192.168.1.5). IPv6 is the newer standard and looks like a longer string of letters and numbers separated by colons (2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

For most home and office networks, you only need the IPv4 address. IPv6 is becoming more common, but most devices and services still rely on IPv4. If you are setting up a device on your network or troubleshooting a connection, use the IPv4 address unless you are specifically told to use IPv6.

When you need each address

Use your local IP address when you are connecting devices within your home or office network. This includes adding a network printer, accessing a security camera, setting up a shared folder, or connecting to a smart home device. You will also need it if you want to access your PC from another computer on the same network.

Use your public IP address when you are troubleshooting internet problems with your service provider, setting up remote access from outside your home, or checking whether your connection is being blocked by a website or service. Your public IP is also what determines your approximate geographic location online, which is why some websites ask for it or show different content based on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same, but it can change if your router restarts or if your network is set to reassign addresses automatically. Your public IP address changes more often — sometimes when your router restarts, sometimes when your internet service provider updates its systems. If you need an address to stay the same, you can set a static IP in your router settings, though this is rarely necessary for home use.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is safe — it only works on your home or office network. Sharing your public IP address is generally safe too, since websites and services see it automatically when you visit them. However, do not share either address with someone you do not trust, since a public IP can be used to learn your approximate location and a local IP could be used to target your network.

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

If you have more than one network connection (for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet plugged in at the same time), ipconfig shows an address for each one. Look for the connection you are actually using. If you are on Wi-Fi, find the section labeled "Wireless LAN adapter" and use that IPv4 address. If you are plugged in with a cable, use the address under "Ethernet adapter."

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address through your router settings, though there is usually no reason to. You cannot change your public IP address directly — it is assigned by your internet service provider — but it will change on its own if you restart your router or wait long enough. If you need a different public IP for privacy reasons, you would need to use a VPN service, which is a separate tool.