Find Your IP Address Using the Command Line
The fastest way to find your PC's IP address is to open a command-line tool and run a single command. On Windows, this takes about 30 seconds. On Mac or Linux, it takes the same amount of time. The command shows your local IP address — the one your computer uses on your home or office network — which is what you need most often.
On Windows, press the Windows key and type cmd, then press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection. That number — usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0 — is your local IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot.
On Mac, open the Terminal process (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command and Space). Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your network connection name, usually "en0" or "en1". Find the line that starts with "inet" followed by a number. That is your local IP address.
On Linux, open a terminal and type ip addr show or ifconfig, depending on your distribution. Look for the line labeled "inet" under your active network connection. The number after "inet" is your local IP address.
Key Takeaways
- Your local IP address appears in the command line when you run ipconfig (Windows), ifconfig (Mac), or ip addr show (Linux).
- The Settings or System Preferences menu also displays your IP address without opening a command line, though it takes a few more clicks.
- Your local IP address starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 and is used only on your home or office network.
- Your public IP address — the one the internet sees — is different from your local IP and can be found on websites like whatismyipaddress.com.
Find Your IP Address in Windows Settings
If you prefer not to use the command line, Windows Settings shows your IP address in a few clicks. Right-click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar and select "Open Network & Internet settings". Click "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on how you are connected.
Under the connection name, click "Properties". Scroll down until you see "IPv4 address". The number listed there is your local IP address. This method works the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Find Your IP Address on Mac
On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Click "Network" in the sidebar. Select your active connection — usually "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet". Your local IP address appears next to "IP Address" on the right side of the window.
If you are connected to Wi-Fi, you can also click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top, hold Option, and click your network name. A dropdown shows your IP address without opening Settings.
Find Your IP Address on Linux
Most Linux distributions include a graphical network manager. Click the network icon in your system tray (usually in the top right or bottom right corner) and select your active connection. A window or dropdown shows your local IP address.
If your desktop does not have a network manager icon, the command line method is the most reliable. The commands ip addr show and ifconfig work on nearly all Linux systems.
Understand the Difference Between Local and Public IP Addresses
Your PC actually has two IP addresses. Your local IP address is used only on your home or office network — it lets your computer talk to your printer, router, and other devices nearby. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you browse websites or send email. It is assigned by your internet service provider.
The methods above show your local IP address. If you need your public IP address — for example, to set up remote access or troubleshoot a connection issue — visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any search engine. The site displays your public IP when ready.
Local IP addresses always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. Public IP addresses can be any number outside those ranges. If you see an address starting with 127.0, that is your loopback address and refers only to your computer itself, not your network.
Why You Might Need Your IP Address
You need your local IP address when you want to connect to your PC from another device on the same network, set up a printer or network drive, or troubleshoot a connection problem. You need your public IP address when you want to set up remote access from outside your home network, report a connection issue to your internet provider, or check whether your IP is on a spam list.
Some routers also let you log in to their settings by typing your local IP address into a web browser. This is useful if you want to change your Wi-Fi password or see which devices are connected to your network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the number after "IPv4 Address" mean?
It is your local IP address — a unique number that identifies your computer on your home or office network. The format is four groups of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.5. Each group can be 0 to 255.
Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig?
Your PC may have multiple network connections — for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Each connection has its own IP address. Look for the one labeled "IPv4 Address" under the connection you are actually using.
Does my IP address change?
Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your PC is offline for a long time. Your public IP address may change when you restart your modem, though many internet providers keep it stable for months or years.
Can I change my IP address?
Yes, but the method depends on whether you want to change your local or public IP. For local IP, you can configure your router to assign a static address to your PC. For public IP, restart your modem and wait a few minutes — your provider will assign a new one.
Is my IP address private information?
Your local IP address is private — only devices on your network can see it. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, though it does not reveal your name or address by itself.