What Your PC's IP Address Is and Why You Might Need It

Your PC has an IP address — a unique number that identifies it on your home network and on the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5 (your local network address) or something like 203.45.67.89 (your public internet address). You need to know your IP address when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer or smart home device, accessing your PC remotely, or helping a tech support person diagnose an issue.

Windows gives you several straightforward ways to find both your local IP address (the one on your home network) and your public IP address (the one the internet sees). The method you use depends on whether you need the address quickly or want more detail about your network setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings under Network & Internet, or by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt — the fastest method takes under 30 seconds.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.
  • The Command Prompt method shows the most detail about your network setup, including your gateway and DNS servers, which is useful for troubleshooting.
  • If you need to find another PC's address on your network, you can use the arp -a command or check your router's connected devices list.

Finding Your Local IP Address in Windows Settings

The quickest way to see your local IP address is through the Settings app. Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), then go to Network & Internet on the left side. Click Wi-Fi if you're connected wirelessly, or Ethernet if you're plugged in with a cable.

Under the connection name, click Properties. Scroll down to the IP settings section. You'll see your IPv4 address listed there — that's your local IP address on your home network. This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Using Command Prompt to See Your IP Address and Network Details

Command Prompt shows more information than Settings and is useful if you're troubleshooting network problems. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and open Command Prompt. Type the command ipconfig and press Enter.

You'll see a list of all network connections on your PC. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (usually "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter"). Your IPv4 Address is your local IP. You'll also see your Default Gateway (usually your router's address) and your DNS Servers (which handle web address lookups). If you want even more detail, type ipconfig /all instead — this shows MAC addresses and DHCP lease information, which some troubleshooting steps require.

Finding Your Public IP Address

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when you connect. It's different from your local IP address and is assigned by your internet service provider. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". Google will display your public IP at the top of the search results.

Alternatively, you can visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which show your public IP and sometimes additional information like your approximate location and internet provider. This address changes periodically depending on your internet service provider's settings — it may stay the same for weeks or change daily.

Finding Another PC's IP Address on Your Network

If you need to find the IP address of a different computer on your home network, open Command Prompt and type arp -a. This shows all devices currently connected to your network and their IP addresses. Look for the device name or MAC address you're looking for.

Another option is to log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser) and check the connected devices list. Most modern routers show device names and their assigned IP addresses. If you're not sure how to access your router, check the label on the back of the device for the default address and login information.

What to Do If You Can't Find Your IP Address

If Command Prompt shows "No IP address" or you see 169.254.x.x instead of a normal address, your PC isn't properly connected to the network. Check that your ethernet cable is plugged in or that you're connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. 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, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, and click Troubleshoot at the bottom. Windows will run a diagnostic and may fix the connection automatically. If you're still having trouble, restart your PC — this often resolves temporary network issues.

When You Might Need Your IP Address

Knowing your IP address is useful in several situations. If you're setting up a network printer, smart home device, or security camera, you may need to enter your PC's IP address or your router's IP address. If a tech support person is helping you troubleshoot, they'll often ask for your IP address to understand your network setup. Remote access software sometimes requires you to know your public IP address or to set up port forwarding on your router using your local IP.

For most everyday use, you won't need to know your IP address. But keeping a note of it in a safe place can save time if you ever need it for troubleshooting or setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your PC on a network and can change. Your MAC address is a permanent hardware identifier that doesn't change. Command Prompt shows both when you type ipconfig /all — the MAC address appears as "Physical Address."

Will my IP address change if I restart my PC?

Your local IP address usually stays the same after a restart, especially if your router is set to DHCP (which is the default). Your public IP address may change, depending on your internet service provider's settings. If you need a permanent local IP, you can assign a static IP address through your router's settings.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP address can reveal your approximate location and internet provider, but not your exact street address or home. Your local IP address (like 192.168.1.5) is only visible to devices on your home network, not to the internet.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.5 and are the standard format most home networks use. IPv6 addresses are longer and look like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Most home networks still use IPv4, but newer devices may show both. For home use, you typically only need to know your IPv4 address.