The fastest way to find your IP address

Your PC has two IP addresses: a local IP address that identifies it on your home or office network, and a public IP address that identifies your entire network to the internet. The local one is what you need most often — to connect a printer, stream to a device, or troubleshoot a network problem.

On Windows, the quickest route is the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line labeled IPv4 Address under your active network connection — that is your local IP address, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.

If you need your public IP address instead, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" — the first result will show it. You can also visit sites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipchicken.com, which display it when ready.

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 websites see and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Windows Settings also shows your local IP under Network settings if you prefer a graphical interface.
  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10 and stays the same unless your router reassigns it.

Finding your IP address through Windows Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings offers a visual way to find your local IP. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Network & Internet on the left side.

Click Wi-Fi if you are connected wirelessly, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. Select the network you are currently connected to. Scroll down and you will see IPv4 address listed under the connection details. This is your local IP address on the network.

This method takes a few more clicks than Command Prompt but shows the same information in a format some people find easier to read.

Understanding the difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is only visible to devices on your home or office network. It is the address you use when connecting to a printer, security camera, or another PC on the same network. Local addresses typically fall into ranges like 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 or 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites and online services see when you connect. It is the same for all devices on your network because they all go through your router to reach the internet. This is the address that determines your approximate location online and is what gets blocked if a website restricts access by geography.

For most home tasks — connecting devices, troubleshooting network problems, or setting up a home server — you need your local IP. For checking what information websites can see about you, or for remote access from outside your network, you need your public IP.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

By default, most routers assign local IP addresses using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which means your PC's local IP can change each time it reconnects to the network. If you are setting up a device that needs a fixed address — like a printer or security camera — this can be a problem.

You have two options. The first is to set a static IP address directly on your PC. In Windows Settings, go to Network & Internet, select your connection, click Edit, and change the IP settings from automatic to manual. Enter a fixed address in the same range as your router (usually 192.168.1.100 or higher to avoid conflicts).

The second option is to use your router's DHCP reservation feature, which tells the router to always assign the same IP to your PC. This is usually found in the router's admin panel under DHCP or Reserved IPs. The advantage is that you do not have to change settings on the PC itself, and the address stays fixed even if you reset the computer.

Finding your IP address on a network you do not own

If you are on a work network, school network, or public Wi-Fi, the same methods work — open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, or check Windows Settings. However, on a network you do not control, your local IP is assigned and managed by the network administrator, and you cannot change it.

If you need to know your IP for a specific reason on a shared network — like connecting to a printer or accessing a shared drive — ask the network administrator or IT support. They can tell you what your address is and whether it is fixed or temporary.

On public Wi-Fi, your local IP is only useful for connecting to devices on that same network. Your public IP is what matters for security, since it is visible to the network owner and any website you visit.

Troubleshooting when you cannot find your IP address

If you run ipconfig and see no IPv4 address, or if it shows 169.254.x.x (a self-assigned address), your PC is not properly connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your ethernet cable is plugged in. If it is, restart your PC and try again.

If you are still not connected, open Command Prompt again and type ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew. This forces your PC to ask the router for a new IP address. Wait a few seconds and run ipconfig again to see if an address appears.

If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it has fully restarted (usually 1 to 2 minutes), reconnect your PC and check for an IP address again.

Using your IP address for common tasks

Once you have your local IP address, you can use it to access your PC from another device on the network. For example, if you want to connect to a shared folder on your PC from a laptop, you would type \\192.168.1.100 (replacing the numbers with your actual IP) into File Explorer on the other device.

You can also use your local IP to access your router's settings. Open a browser and type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. This takes you to the router's admin panel, where you can change Wi-Fi settings, set up port forwarding, or create DHCP reservations.

For remote access from outside your network, you would use your public IP address combined with port forwarding rules on your router. This is more complex and requires careful security setup, so it is best done only if you understand the risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older standard and uses addresses like 192.168.1.100. IPv6 is the newer standard and uses longer addresses like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Most home networks still use IPv4, but newer devices and networks are adding IPv6 support. The ipconfig command shows both if your network supports them.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address identifies your PC on a network and can change. Your MAC address is a permanent hardware identifier that does not change. To find your MAC address, run ipconfig /all in Command Prompt and look for the line labeled Physical Address.

Can someone find my location using my IP address?

Your public IP address can be used to determine your approximate location — usually your city or region, not your exact address. Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your network, so it cannot be used to find you online. If you want to hide your public IP, you can use a VPN service.

Why does my IP address show as 169.254.x.x?

This is a self-assigned address that appears when your PC cannot reach a DHCP server to get a proper IP. It means your PC is not connected to the network correctly. Check your network connection, restart your router, and run ipconfig /renew to request a new address from the router.