The quickest 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 of the time, you need the local one — it's what you use to connect printers, set up file sharing, or troubleshoot network problems.

On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection — that's your local IP. On Mac, open System Preferences, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears on the right side of the window. Both methods take under 30 seconds.

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 browser. The first result will show it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their local IP address by opening Command Prompt, typing ipconfig, and looking for the "IPv4 Address" line.
  • Mac users can find their local IP address through System Preferences by selecting Network and viewing the address on the right panel.
  • Your local IP address is what you need for home network tasks like printer setup or file sharing; your public IP is what the internet sees.
  • A web search for "what is my IP" when ready shows your public IP address without opening any settings.

Finding your IP address in Windows 10 and 11

Open the Start menu and type "cmd" or "command prompt" into the search box. Click Command Prompt when it appears. At the blinking cursor, type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information will appear on your screen.

Find the section labeled with your active connection — usually "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi. Under that section, look for the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it (something like 192.168.1.100) is your local IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it later.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, you only need the one that shows "Media State: Media connected". The others are inactive and can be ignored.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions). Click Network in the left sidebar. On the right side of the window, you'll see your active connection — either "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on how you're connected.

Your IP address appears directly on the right panel next to "IP Address:" — it will look something like 192.168.1.105. If you don't see it, make sure your connection is selected and shows "Connected" in green text. If you're connected to multiple networks, check each one to find the address for the network you need.

Understanding what your IP address means

An IP address is a set of four numbers separated by periods — for example, 192.168.1.50. Each number can range from 0 to 255. Your local IP address stays the same most of the time, but it can change if your router restarts or if you're away from your network for a while. When you return, your device usually gets the same address back.

The first three numbers (192.168.1 in the example above) identify your network. The last number identifies your specific device. This is why all devices on your home Wi-Fi start with the same first three numbers — they're all part of the same local network. Your router assigns these addresses automatically through a system called DHCP.

When you need your public IP address instead

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and represents your entire home or office network to the outside internet. You rarely need it for everyday tasks, but it matters if you're setting up remote access to your PC, hosting a game server, or troubleshooting connection issues with your ISP.

To find your public IP, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will display your public IP prominently. You can also visit sites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io. These sites show your public IP when ready without requiring any software or settings changes.

Your public IP can change periodically depending on your internet plan. If you need it to stay the same for remote access purposes, contact your ISP about a static IP address — though this usually costs extra per month.

Checking your IP address on a network printer or device

If you need to find the IP address of another device on your network — like a printer, security camera, or another computer — you can use the same Command Prompt method on Windows. Type ipconfig /all to see more detailed information, or type arp -a to see a list of all devices currently connected to your network with their IP addresses.

On Mac, open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities) and type arp -a to see all connected devices. The output shows each device's IP address and its hardware address. If you know the device name, you can search for it in the list.

Many network devices also print their IP address on a startup page or display it on a built-in screen. Check your printer's manual or the device's settings menu first — it's often faster than searching through network lists.

Saving your IP address for later use

If you find yourself looking up your IP address repeatedly, write it down or take a screenshot. You can also create a text file on your desktop and paste it there. Some people add it to their router's settings so the device always gets the same address — this is called a "reserved IP" or "static DHCP assignment" and prevents your address from changing when the router restarts.

To set up a reserved IP on most home routers, log into the router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser), find the DHCP or Reserved IP section, and add your device's hardware address (also called MAC address) with the IP you want to keep. Your router manual will have the exact steps for your model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four numbers (like 192.168.1.1) and are the standard on most home networks. IPv6 addresses use longer strings of characters and numbers and are slowly replacing IPv4 as the internet runs out of available IPv4 addresses. For home use, you almost always need the IPv4 address.

Can someone use my IP address to hack my computer?

Your local IP address is only useful on your home network, so it's not a security risk to share it. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, but it only identifies your network location — it doesn't directly expose your computer to attack. A firewall and updated software protect you far more than hiding your IP.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns IP addresses through DHCP, which can reassign them when devices reconnect or when the router restarts. If you need a permanent address for a specific device, you can set up a reserved IP in your router settings so that device always gets the same number.

Is my IP address the same on Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

No. If your PC is connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, it gets a separate IP address for each connection. They're both on the same network but are treated as different devices. Most people use only one connection at a time, so this rarely matters.