The quickest way to find your IP address

Your IP address is a set of numbers assigned to your device so other computers on the internet can send information back to you. Finding it takes less than a minute on any device.

On Windows, open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP address. On Mac, open System Preferences, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears in the window. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network you are connected to, and scroll down. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status or Settings > System > About Phone > IP Address depending on your version.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (the one your router assigns) and your public IP address (the one the internet sees) are different numbers, and you may need one or the other depending on what you are doing.
  • Windows users type ipconfig in Command Prompt; Mac users check System Preferences > Network; phone users find it in Wi-Fi or Network settings.
  • To find your public IP address, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any search engine.
  • Your local IP address changes only if you restart your router or manually change it; your public IP address may change when your internet provider assigns you a new one.

The difference between local and public IP addresses

When you search for your IP address, you may find two different numbers. Your local IP address is assigned by your router and only devices on your home network can see it — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites and servers on the internet see when you connect to them.

If you are troubleshooting a home network problem or setting up a printer on your Wi-Fi, you need your local IP address. If you are checking whether a website has blocked your connection or you need to report your location to a service, you need your public IP address. Most of the time when someone asks for "your IP address," they mean the public one.

Finding your public IP address

The easiest way to find your public IP address is to search "what is my IP" in Google, Bing, or any search engine. The answer appears at the top of the results page. Alternatively, visit whatismyipaddress.com, ipchicken.com, or similar sites — they all display your public IP address immediately.

These sites work because when your browser connects to them, the server records the IP address your request came from. That is your public IP address. No sign-up or software is needed. The number you see is what the rest of the internet sees when you connect to it.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "cmd" to open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information appears. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (usually "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address.

If you see multiple sections, look for the one that corresponds to the connection you are actually using. You can also type ipconfig /all for more detailed information about every network adapter on your computer, though the basic ipconfig command is usually enough.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Click Network. On the left side, select the connection you are using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Your IP address appears in the main window next to "IP Address." If you do not see it, make sure you are connected to that network first.

On some newer Macs, the layout is slightly different. If you do not see Network in System Preferences, try System Settings instead — Apple changed the name in recent versions. The IP address is always listed in the same place once you select your active connection.

Finding your IP address on phones and tablets

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you are connected to and tap the information icon (a circle with an "i" inside it). Scroll down and you will see "IP Address" listed. This is your local IP address on that network.

On Android, the location varies by manufacturer and version. Most commonly, go to Settings > About Phone > Status, and you will see "IP Address" listed. Some phones put it under Settings > System > About Phone > IP Address, or Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > (your network name). If you cannot find it in one place, try the others — the information is always there, just in slightly different locations depending on your phone.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address usually stays the same as long as you keep the same router and do not manually change it. However, if you restart your router or your device loses connection and reconnects, your router may assign you a different local IP address the next time.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider. It typically stays the same for weeks or months, but your provider may assign you a new one without warning. If you need a permanent public IP address for a specific service, you can contact your provider to request a static IP — though this usually costs extra and is not necessary for most people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to know my IP address?

You might need your local IP address to set up a printer on your network, troubleshoot connection problems, or access your router's settings. You might need your public IP address to report a connection issue to a website, check if you have been blocked, or set up remote access to your computer from outside your home.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it is not a security risk by itself. However, do not share it with strangers online or post it publicly, because someone could use it to attempt network attacks or look up your approximate location. Your local IP address should never be shared — it is only useful to devices already on your network.

What if I cannot find my IP address using these steps?

Make sure you are connected to the network you are checking. On Windows, try restarting Command Prompt. On Mac, make sure you selected the correct connection in Network settings. On phones, confirm you are actually connected to Wi-Fi before checking settings. If you still cannot find it, restart your device and try again.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address by logging into your router's settings (usually by typing your router's IP address into a browser), though most people never need to. You cannot directly change your public IP address, but you can restart your modem and wait a few hours, and your provider may assign you a new one. Using a VPN also makes websites see a different public IP address, though that is a different service entirely.