What an IP Address Is and Why You Might Need It

Your PC's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on a network — either your home Wi-Fi, your office network, or the internet itself. It looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5 or 8.8.8.8. You need this number when you're troubleshooting a connection problem, setting up a printer or router, sharing files with another computer, or letting a technician help you remotely.

There are two types of IP addresses you might see. A local IP address (also called a private IP address) identifies your computer only within your home or office network — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. A public IP address is what the internet sees when your computer connects through your router, and it's assigned by your internet service provider. Most of the time, when someone asks for your IP address, they mean the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings under Network & Internet, or you can find it when ready by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig.
  • The Command Prompt method takes 10 seconds and shows your address in the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under your network connection.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, search "what is my IP" in any web browser to see what the internet sees.
  • Your local IP address can change if your router restarts, so write it down or take a screenshot if you need it for setup or troubleshooting.

Finding Your IP Address Using Command Prompt

The fastest way to find your local IP address is through Command Prompt, which takes about 10 seconds. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your network connection name (usually "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" if you're on Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple network connections listed, look for the one that has an IPv4 Address. Skip any sections that show "Media disconnected" — those are network adapters your PC isn't currently using.

Finding Your IP Address in Windows Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can find your IP address through the Settings app. Press the Windows key, type Settings, and press Enter. Click on "Network & Internet" in the left menu.

If you're connected by Wi-Fi, click "Wi-Fi" and then click the name of your network (the one you're currently connected to). Scroll down to "Properties" and look for "IPv4 address" — that's your local IP address. If you're connected by an Ethernet cable instead, click "Ethernet" and you'll see the same information displayed.

This method takes a bit longer than Command Prompt, but it's easier to read and you can see other network details at the same time, such as your gateway address (your router) and your DNS servers.

Finding Your Public IP Address

Your public IP address is different from your local one — it's what websites and internet services see when you connect. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or go directly to a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The page will display your public IP address when ready.

You don't need Command Prompt or Settings for this. The public address is assigned by your internet service provider and is the same for all devices on your home network (they all go through your router). If you restart your router or your internet connection drops and reconnects, your public IP address may change.

What to Do If Your IP Address Keeps Changing

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts, your PC loses power, or your router's settings shift. If you need a stable address for setting up a printer, game server, or remote access, you can assign a static IP address to your PC.

The easiest way is through your router's settings. 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 you're not sure). Log in with your router's username and password. Look for a section called "DHCP" or "Local Network" and find your PC in the list of connected devices. Most routers let you "reserve" an IP address for that device, which tells the router to always give it the same number.

If you can't access your router's settings, you can also set a static address directly on your PC through Settings, but that's more complex and can cause conflicts if done incorrectly — reserving it in your router is the safer approach.

Troubleshooting When You Can't Find Your IP Address

If Command Prompt shows "Media disconnected" or you see no IPv4 address listed, your PC isn't connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on (look for the Wi-Fi icon in your system tray) or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in firmly on both ends.

If you're connected but still see no address, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart. Then run ipconfig again. If the problem persists, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly — try restarting your PC as well.

If you're on a work or school network and can't find your IP address, ask your IT department. Some networks hide this information or restrict access to Command Prompt for security reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different identifier that only works on your local network, while your IP address works across networks and the internet. If you need your MAC address, you can find it in the same ipconfig output — it's labeled "Physical Address" and looks like six pairs of letters and numbers separated by hyphens.

Can someone hack me if they have my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it's not a secret. Knowing it alone doesn't let someone access your files or passwords. However, it can be used to target you with certain attacks, so it's worth keeping your firewall on and your Windows updates current.

Why does my IP address show something different each time I check?

If your local IP address changes, your router is reassigning it each time your PC connects — this is normal. If you want it to stay the same, reserve a static address in your router settings. If your public IP address changes, that's because your internet service provider reassigned it when your connection restarted.

Do I need to remember my IP address?

Not usually. Write it down or take a screenshot only if you're about to use it for something specific, like setting up a printer or giving it to a technician. For most everyday tasks, you won't need it.