Where to Find Your PC's IP Address

Your PC has two IP addresses you might need: a local IP address (the one your home or office network assigns) and a public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns). The local address is what you use to connect to printers, cameras, or other devices on your own network. The public address is what websites see when you visit them. Both are straightforward to find, and the method depends on which one you need.

The fastest way to find your local IP address is through the Command Prompt or Settings app. The fastest way to find your public IP address is to visit a website that displays it. This guide walks you through both.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings under Network & Internet, or by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt and looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • Your public IP address is visible on websites like whatismyipaddress.com or by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only when you restart your router or leave the network.
  • Public IP addresses are assigned by your internet provider and may change every few days or weeks depending on your service plan.
  • You need your local IP address to connect to devices on your home network; you need your public IP address to troubleshoot internet issues or allow remote access.

Finding Your Local IP Address in Windows Settings

The Settings app is the easiest route if you are comfortable clicking through menus. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Network & Internet on the left side.

If you are connected by ethernet cable, click Ethernet. If you are on Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi. Then click the name of the network you are currently connected to. Scroll down and look for IPv4 address — that is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105 or 10.0.0.50.

This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The address you see here is only valid on your home or office network — devices outside that network cannot reach you using this number.

Finding Your Local IP Address Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt is faster if you know what you are looking for. Press the Windows key, type "cmd", and press Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the section labeled with your connection type — either Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter. Find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it is your local IP address. Ignore the lines labeled "Subnet Mask" and "Default Gateway" unless you are setting up a network device and need those details.

The ipconfig command also shows you whether your PC is getting an address automatically (DHCP enabled) or if someone assigned it manually. Most home networks use DHCP, which means your local IP address can change if you restart your router.

Finding Your Public IP Address

Your public IP address is the one your internet provider assigns to your home or office connection. Websites see this address when you visit them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The page will display your public IP address within seconds.

You can also type "my IP" into Google's search box directly — Google will show your public IP address at the top of the results. This address is assigned by your internet service provider and may change every few days or weeks, depending on whether you have a static or dynamic IP plan. Most home internet plans use dynamic addresses.

Your public IP address is different from your local IP address. Your local address (192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) is only visible to devices on your home network. Your public address is visible to the entire internet.

Why You Might Need Each Address

You need your local IP address when you are connecting to devices on your own network. If you have a network printer, a security camera, a smart TV, or a NAS drive, you enter the local IP address into your browser or app to reach it. You also need the local address if you are setting up port forwarding on your router or troubleshooting why a device is not showing up on your network.

You need your public IP address when you are troubleshooting internet problems with your service provider, setting up remote access to your PC from outside your home, or checking whether your IP address is on a spam list. Some services also ask for your public IP to whitelist your connection.

Common Reasons Your IP Address Changes

Your local IP address changes when you restart your router or when your PC has been offline for a while. Most home routers reassign local addresses every time they reboot. If you need a device to stay at the same local address (like a printer or security camera), you can assign it a static local IP address through your router's settings — but that is a separate process and not necessary for most home setups.

Your public IP address changes based on your internet service provider's policy. Some providers change it every few days; others change it every few weeks or months. If you need a permanent public IP address, you can contact your provider about a static IP plan, though this usually costs extra and is mainly used for businesses.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your IP Address

If the Settings app does not show a network connection, your PC is not connected to the internet or your network. Check that your ethernet cable is plugged in or that you are connected to a Wi-Fi network. If you are on Wi-Fi, make sure you have selected the correct network and entered the password correctly.

If Command Prompt shows multiple network adapters and you are not sure which one is active, look for the one with an IPv4 address that is not 0.0.0.0. If you see 0.0.0.0, that adapter is not currently connected. If you still cannot find an address, restart your PC and try again — sometimes the network connection needs a moment to initialize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find my location using my IP address?

Your public IP address can be traced to your internet service provider's service area, usually down to your city or neighborhood, but not to your exact home address. Your local IP address (192.168.x.x) is only visible to devices on your home network and tells nothing about your location.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites already see it when you visit them. Sharing your local IP address is safe only with people you trust on your home network. Never share either address with someone you do not know unless they are a technician helping you troubleshoot a specific problem.

Why does my IP address show a different location than where I actually am?

IP address location databases are not always accurate. Your public IP is tied to your internet service provider's registered location, which may be miles away from your actual home. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1 and are the standard on most home networks. IPv6 addresses are longer (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334) and are slowly replacing IPv4 as the internet runs out of IPv4 addresses. Most home networks still use IPv4 primarily.

Do I need to change my IP address for security reasons?

Changing your local IP address is not necessary for security. Changing your public IP address is also not necessary unless you believe it has been compromised or added to a spam list. If you are concerned about privacy, a VPN service is more effective than changing your IP address.