The fastest way to find your IP address

Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. At the prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address — that number, usually something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.15, is your local IP address on your home network.

If you need your public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns to your whole house), that Command Prompt method won't show it. Instead, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" — Google and other search engines will display it at the top of the results page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Command Prompt when you type ipconfig and look for the IPv4 Address line.
  • Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • The Settings app also shows your local IP if you go to Network & Internet and select your connection.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0, while public addresses vary widely depending on your internet provider.

Finding your IP address through Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings offers a graphical way. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then click Network & Internet on the left side.

Click the name of your network connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected. Scroll down and you'll see a section called Properties. Your IPv4 address is listed there. This method shows the same local IP address as the Command Prompt method, just in a different place.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

Your PC actually has two IP addresses, and they serve different purposes. Your local IP address is used only within your home network — it's how your router talks to your computer, your printer, and other devices on the same Wi-Fi or ethernet cable. This address never leaves your house.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is how websites, email servers, and online services identify your entire home network from the outside. When you visit a website, the website sees your public IP, not your local one. Your public IP changes periodically — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly, depending on your provider — while your local IP usually stays the same until you restart your router or your computer.

Why you might need your IP address

You'll need your local IP address if you're setting up a printer on your network, accessing your router's settings, or troubleshooting a connection problem with a specific device. Tech support may ask for it when you're having network issues.

Your public IP address matters if you're setting up remote access to your PC from outside your home, checking which country a website thinks you're in, or troubleshooting why a service is blocking you. Some online games and services also log your public IP for security reasons.

What to do if ipconfig doesn't show an address

If you run ipconfig and the IPv4 Address line is blank or shows 169.254.x.x, your PC isn't connected to the network properly. First, check that your ethernet cable is plugged in or that you're connected to Wi-Fi — look at the network icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar.

If you're connected but still see no address, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then run ipconfig again. If the problem persists, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly, and you may need to restart your PC or contact your internet provider.

Finding your IP address on a Mac instead

If you're using a Mac, the process is different. Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then click Network on the left. Select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and your local IP address will appear on the right side under IP Address.

To find your public IP on a Mac, the method is the same as Windows — open any browser and search "what is my IP." The result will be the same public address your Windows PC would show.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number like 192.168.1.5 that identifies your device on a network. Your MAC address is a different code that identifies your network card itself. You rarely need your MAC address unless you're setting up advanced network features or your router requires it to connect.

Can someone harm me if they know my public IP address?

Knowing your public IP alone is not enough to hack you. It tells someone which internet provider you use and roughly where you are, but not your home address or personal information. However, don't share it unnecessarily, and if you're concerned about privacy, you can use a VPN service to mask it.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your public IP address changes because your internet provider reassigns addresses periodically — this is normal and expected. Your local IP address usually stays the same, but it can change if you restart your router or if your router's settings are set to reassign addresses frequently. If you need a stable local IP for a printer or other device, you can set a static IP in your router's settings.

What if I'm on a work network or VPN?

If you're connected to a work network or using a VPN, ipconfig will show the IP address assigned by that network or VPN service instead of your home network address. This is normal — the command shows whatever network you're currently connected to. Your actual public IP will be masked by the VPN if you search "what is my IP" while connected.