Where to find your IP address on your PC

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on a network — like a mailing address for data. Windows and Mac both show you this number in a few clicks, and the fastest route depends on which operating system you use. On Windows, the Settings app or Command Prompt will show it in under a minute. On Mac, System Settings or Terminal does the same.

You have two types of IP address on your PC: a local IP address (the one your home router assigns to your computer) and a public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns to your home network). Most of the time when someone asks for your IP address, they mean the local one. Both are straightforward to find.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your local IP address when ready.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address field.
  • Windows Command Prompt and Mac Terminal can show your IP address if you type a single command, though this method is slower than using the graphical menus.
  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and changes only if your router reassigns it; your public IP address is what websites see and changes based on your internet provider.
  • You may need your IP address to troubleshoot network problems, set up port forwarding, or connect devices on your home network.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 or 11

The quickest way on Windows is through Settings. Click the Windows Start button, type "Settings" into the search box, and open the Settings app. Once it opens, select Network & Internet from the left menu.

Next, click Status (it appears near the top of the Network & Internet menu). Scroll down until you see a section labeled IP settings. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 address" — it will look something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50. This is the address your router assigned to your PC.

If you need your public IP address instead, scroll down further on the same Status page. You will see a field called Public IP address showing the number your internet provider assigned to your home network. This is the address websites see when you visit them.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings (called System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar on the left. You will see a list of connections — select the one you are currently using, usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Once you select your connection, click the Details button (or sometimes labeled Advanced). A window opens showing network information. Look for the field labeled IP Address — this is your local IP address. It will start with 192.168 or 10.0, just like on Windows.

To find your public IP address on Mac, the graphical method is less direct. The easiest way is to open a web browser and search "what is my IP address" — Google and other search engines will display it at the top of the results. Alternatively, you can use Terminal (see the next section) to retrieve it with a command.

Using Command Prompt on Windows to find your IP address

If you prefer the command line, Windows Command Prompt can show your IP address with a single typed command. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) depending on your Windows version. A black window opens.

Type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig

A list of network information appears. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (usually Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter). Next to IPv4 Address, you will see your local IP address. Ignore the other numbers for now — your IP address is the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

Using Terminal on Mac to find your IP address

Mac Terminal works similarly. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal", and pressing Enter). A black window opens.

Type this command and press Enter:

ifconfig | grep "inet "

Terminal displays several lines of network information. Look for the line that starts with "inet" followed by a number — that number is your local IP address. It will be in the format 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x. The other lines show information about other network interfaces; ignore those unless you are troubleshooting a specific connection.

What to do once you have your IP address

Once you have found your IP address, you might use it for several reasons. If you are setting up a device on your home network — like a printer, smart speaker, or security camera — you may need to enter your PC's IP address into that device's setup menu so they can communicate. If you are troubleshooting a network problem, your IT support person or router manufacturer may ask for it to diagnose the issue.

If you are setting up port forwarding on your router (a way to direct incoming internet traffic to a specific device), you will need your local IP address to tell the router which device should receive that traffic. In all these cases, your local IP address — the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0 — is what you need.

Keep in mind that your local IP address can change if you restart your router or if your router's settings shift. If you need the address to stay the same, you can set a static IP address in your router's settings, though that is a separate process. For most everyday uses, the address you see today will remain the same until you restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

Your local IP address is assigned by your home router and is used only within your home network. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what the outside internet sees. Websites and online services use your public IP address to send data back to you; devices in your home use your local IP address.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Restarting your computer alone will not change your IP address — your router will reassign the same one. However, if you restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds), your local IP address may change. Most home routers reassign the same address to the same device, but it is not may provide.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is generally safe — it only works within your home network. Sharing your public IP address is also relatively safe for most purposes, though you should avoid posting it publicly online. Your public IP address alone does not reveal personal information, but combined with other data it could be misused.

What if I cannot find the IP address field in Settings?

Make sure you are in the right section: on Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status. On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, then click Details. If the field still does not appear, try restarting your computer and checking again, or use the Command Prompt or Terminal method instead.