How to Find Your IP Address on Any Computer

Every device connected to a network has an IP address — a numerical label that identifies it on that network. Whether you're troubleshooting a connection, setting up remote access, configuring a router, or just curious, knowing how to find your IP address is a fundamental networking skill. The tricky part: there are actually two different IP addresses most computers have, and which one you need depends entirely on what you're trying to do.

The Difference Between Public and Private IP Addresses

Before hunting for your IP address, it helps to know which type you're looking for.

Your public IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It's what the outside internet sees when your computer communicates with websites, apps, or remote servers. Every device on your home or office network shares this same public IP address — it's tied to your router, not your individual machine.

Your private (local) IP address is assigned by your router within your local network. It's how your router tells your laptop apart from your phone, smart TV, or any other connected device. These addresses typically follow patterns like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x, and they're invisible to the wider internet.

Knowing which one you need matters. If you're setting up port forwarding, contacting your ISP, or whitelisting your connection with an external service, you want your public IP. If you're configuring a local server, troubleshooting a home network, or connecting devices within the same network, you want your private IP.

How to Find Your Public IP Address 🌐

This is the same regardless of your operating system. The simplest method:

1. Open any web browser
2. Search for "what is my IP address" in Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo
3. The result appears at the top of the page

Alternatively, visiting a site like whatismyip.com or ipinfo.io directly shows your public IP along with additional details like approximate location and ISP name.

Your public IP address can change over time unless your ISP has assigned you a static IP (a fixed address, often a paid feature or business plan option). Most residential connections use dynamic IP addresses, which can change when you restart your router or after periods of inactivity.

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Windows

Windows gives you several ways to find your local IP address, depending on how comfortable you are with system tools.

Using Settings (Windows 10/11):

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection type
3. Click on your connected network
4. Scroll to find your IPv4 address

Using Command Prompt:

1. Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter
3. Look for IPv4 Address under your active network adapter

The ipconfig output lists every network adapter on your system. Focus on the one labeled Wi-Fi or Ethernet that shows an active connection. You'll also see your subnet mask and default gateway (which is typically your router's address).

How to Find Your Private IP Address on macOS

Using System Settings/Preferences:

1. Click the Apple menu → System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions)
2. Select Network
3. Click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
4. Your IP address appears in the connection details panel

Using Terminal:

1. Open Terminal (found in Applications → Utilities)
2. Type ifconfig | grep inet and press Enter
3. Your local IP address appears next to inet — typically on the en0 (Wi-Fi) or en1 (Ethernet) line

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Linux

Linux users generally reach for the terminal:

• Run ip addr show or the older ifconfig command
• Look for inet followed by an address like 192.168.1.x under your active interface (eth0, wlan0, or similar)

Some Linux distributions also expose network details through GUI network managers in system settings, similar to Windows and macOS.

IPv4 vs. IPv6 — Which One Are You Looking At? 🔢

You may notice two IP address formats when checking your network settings:

Most tools and services still reference IPv4 addresses in everyday use. IPv6 exists because the world is running out of IPv4 addresses, and modern operating systems support both simultaneously. If someone asks for your IP address without specifying, they almost always mean your IPv4 address.

Factors That Affect Which IP Address You Find

Finding an IP address sounds simple, but your specific situation introduces variables:

• VPN usage — A VPN replaces your public IP address with one from the VPN provider. If you're connected to a VPN, your public IP will reflect the VPN server's location, not your actual ISP-assigned address.
• Multiple network adapters — Laptops with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections will show a different private IP for each. The active connection is the relevant one.
• Network type — Corporate networks often use more complex addressing schemes, proxy servers, or network address translation (NAT) layers that can make your visible IP address different from what you'd see at home.
• Dynamic vs. static assignment — Home routers assign private IP addresses dynamically via DHCP, meaning your device's local IP can change after a restart or reconnection. Servers, printers, and networked devices are often given static local IPs to keep them consistent.
• Mobile hotspots — If your computer connects through a phone's hotspot, it has a private IP within that hotspot's mini-network, and the public IP belongs to the phone's cellular data connection.

Understanding which of these applies to your situation determines whether the IP address you find is actually the one that solves your problem.