How to Find Your PC's IP Address in Windows or on Your Network

The quickest way to find your IP address

Your PC has two IP addresses you might need: a local IP address (the one your home or office network uses) and a public IP address (the one the internet sees). The local one is what you'll find fastest, and it's what you need most often — to connect printers, cameras, or other devices on your network, or to troubleshoot connection problems.

On Windows, open the Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection. That's your local IP address, usually something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.12. It appears when ready and is the address other devices on your network use to find your PC.

If you need your public IP address instead — the one your internet provider assigns to your whole network — search "what is my IP" in any web browser. The first result will show it. Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them, and it changes periodically depending on your internet provider.

Key Takeaways

Your local IP address appears in Command Prompt when you type ipconfig and look for "IPv4 Address" — this is what devices on your home network use to reach your PC.
Your public IP address is what the internet sees and shows up when you search "what is my IP" in a browser — it changes based on your internet provider.
Windows Settings also shows your local IP under Network settings, though Command Prompt is faster if you know where to look.
You need your local IP to connect printers or cameras to your PC, or to troubleshoot why a device can't find your computer.

Finding your IP address through Windows Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings shows your local IP address in a few clicks. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Scroll down to "IP settings" and you'll see your IPv4 address listed there.

This route takes longer than Command Prompt but shows more detail about your connection — you can also see your subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers on the same screen. It's useful if you're troubleshooting network problems and need to check whether your PC got an address from your router's DHCP server or if something went wrong.

Using Command Prompt for a faster result

Command Prompt is the fastest way to find your IP address if you're comfortable opening it. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. When the black window opens, type ipconfig and press Enter again.

You'll see a list of all network connections on your PC. Find the one that shows "Connected" status and look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that's your local IP. Ignore anything labeled "IPv6 Address" unless you specifically need it; most home networks and devices still use IPv4. The address appears in seconds, and you can copy it directly from the window if you need to paste it elsewhere.

What to do if you see multiple IP addresses

If you have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet plugged in, or if your PC is connected to multiple networks, ipconfig will show more than one address. Each network connection gets its own address. Look for the connection you're actually using — if you're on Wi-Fi, find the section labeled "Wireless LAN adapter" or "Wi-Fi"; if you're plugged in with a cable, look for "Ethernet adapter".

Only the active connection matters for most purposes. If you're not sure which one is active, check Windows Settings under Network & Internet — it will show you which connection is currently connected. Use the IP address from that connection, not from any disconnected adapters listed in ipconfig.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is shared by every device on your network. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will display your public IP in large text.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which show your public IP along with other details like your approximate location and internet provider. These sites are safe and don't store your information — they straightforward show you what your internet connection broadcasts to the world.

Your public IP changes periodically. If your internet provider assigns you a dynamic IP (which most do for home internet), your public address may change every few days or weeks. If you need a stable public IP that doesn't change, contact your internet provider about a static IP option — it usually costs extra and is mainly useful for running servers or hosting services from home.

Why you might need your IP address

Your local IP address is what you need when a device on your network can't find your PC. If you're setting up a printer, security camera, or smart home device, you often have to enter your PC's IP address so the device knows where to send data. Without it, the device may time out or fail to connect.

You might also need your local IP to troubleshoot network problems — if your PC isn't connecting to your router, or if another device can't reach your PC, knowing your IP address helps you figure out whether your PC is getting an address from the router at all. If ipconfig shows "169.254.x.x" instead of "192.168.x.x", your PC isn't talking to the router properly and you need to restart your router or check your network cable.

Your public IP is less often needed but matters if you're accessing your PC remotely from outside your home network, or if you're troubleshooting why a website is blocking you. Some websites block entire IP ranges, and knowing your public IP helps you understand whether the block is on your end or the website's.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older, more common format — it looks like four numbers separated by dots (192.168.1.5). IPv6 is newer and looks like a longer string of letters and numbers (2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). Most home networks and devices still use IPv4. You only need IPv6 if you're specifically setting up an IPv6 connection or if your network requires it.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can be changed through your router's settings, but there's usually no reason to. If you want your PC to always have the same local IP, you can set a static IP in Windows Settings or in your router's DHCP settings. Your public IP is controlled by your internet provider and changes automatically — you can't change it without contacting them or using a VPN.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it is not a security risk. Your local IP address is only useful to devices on your own network, so sharing it with someone outside your home won't help them connect to you. Never share passwords or personal information, but the IP address itself is safe to give out.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your internet provider assigns you a dynamic IP address by default, which means it changes periodically — sometimes every few days, sometimes every few weeks. This is normal and expected. If you need the same IP address all the time, contact your internet provider about upgrading to a static IP, though this usually costs extra and is mainly for businesses or people running servers.

What if ipconfig doesn't show an IP address?

If you see "0.0.0.0" or no IPv4 address at all, your PC isn't connected to the network properly. Check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in or that you're connected to Wi-Fi. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart. If the problem persists, restart your PC as well.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.