Finding Your IP Address Using Command Prompt

The fastest way to see your PC's IP address is to open Command Prompt and type a single command. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. Your screen will fill with network information. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one shows "Connected" next to it. On that line, find IPv4 Address. The number next to it (usually starting with 192, 10, or 172) is your PC's local IP address on your home or office network.

If you see multiple adapters listed, you only need the one that says "Connected". The others are inactive and can be ignored.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key and typing cmd, then type ipconfig to see all your network addresses at once.
  • Your local IP address (the one for your home or office network) starts with 192, 10, or 172 and appears next to "IPv4 Address".
  • Windows Settings shows the same information in a visual format if you prefer not to use Command Prompt.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) is different from your local IP and requires a different method to find.

Finding Your IP Address in Windows Settings

If you prefer a visual interface, Windows Settings shows your IP address without opening Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type Settings, and press Enter.

Click Network & Internet on the left side. Then click Wi-Fi if you are connected wirelessly, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. At the bottom of the screen, click the name of your network (for Wi-Fi) or the word "Connected" (for Ethernet).

A new window will open showing your network details. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address. The number listed there is your local IP address. This is the same number you would see in Command Prompt.

Understanding Local vs. Public IP Addresses

Your PC actually has two different IP addresses, and it is important to know which one you are looking at. Your local IP address (also called a private IP address) is what your home or office network uses to identify your PC. This is the number you see in Command Prompt or Settings. It only works on your own network — the internet cannot see it.

Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you visit a website or send data online. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is different from your local IP. If someone outside your network needs to reach your PC, they would need your public IP, not your local one.

Most people looking for their IP address need the local one. If you need your public IP instead, you can find it by opening a web browser and searching "what is my IP" — the search results will show it when ready.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If Command Prompt shows no "IPv4 Address" line, or if Settings shows no network connection, your PC is not currently connected to a network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on (look for the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen) or that your ethernet cable is plugged in firmly on both ends.

If you are connected but still see no IP address, restart your PC. Sometimes the network adapter needs to reset. Turn off your computer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it finishes starting up, run the ipconfig command again.

If the problem continues after a restart, your network adapter may need a driver update. Right-click the Windows Start button, click Device Manager, and look for "Network adapters". If you see a yellow warning symbol next to any adapter, right-click it and select Update driver.

Why You Might Need Your IP Address

Knowing your IP address is useful for several common tasks. If you are setting up a printer or security camera on your home network, you may need to type your PC's IP address into a web browser to access its settings. Remote access software also sometimes requires your local IP to connect from another device on the same network.

Network troubleshooting often starts with checking your IP address. If your internet is not working, your IT support person or internet service provider may ask you to confirm that your PC has an IP address at all. Having this information ready saves time.

Some people also need their IP address to set up port forwarding on their router, which allows traffic from the internet to reach a specific device on their home network. Again, your local IP is what you need for this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same every time I turn on my PC?

Usually yes, but not always. Most home networks assign the same local IP to your PC every time it connects, but this is not may provide. If your IP changes and you need it to stay the same (for printer setup or port forwarding), you can set a static IP in your router settings or in Windows Network Settings.

Can someone hack me if they know my local IP address?

Your local IP only works on your own network, so someone outside your home or office cannot use it to reach your PC. Your public IP is visible to the internet, but it does not directly expose your computer — your router sits between the internet and your PC and blocks most unwanted traffic by default.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses in ipconfig?

Each network adapter on your PC gets its own IP address. Most PCs have at least two: one for Wi-Fi and one for ethernet. Only the adapter that says "Connected" is actually in use. The others are inactive and can be ignored.

What if my IP address starts with 169?

An IP starting with 169 means your PC is not properly connected to your network. This usually happens when your router is not responding or your network adapter needs to be reset. Restart your PC and check that your Wi-Fi is on or your ethernet cable is plugged in firmly.