The quickest way to find your IP address

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on the internet — something like 192.168.1.5 or 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. The fastest way to see it depends on what device you're using and whether you want your local IP (the one inside your home network) or your public IP (the one the outside internet sees).

For most people, the simplest route is to search "what is my IP" in any web browser — a search result will show your public IP in seconds. If you need your local IP instead, the steps differ by device, but they all take under a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Your public IP shows up instantly when you search "what is my IP" in any browser — no special tools needed.
  • Your local IP (the address inside your home network) lives in your device settings or network preferences, not online.
  • Windows users find their local IP by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt; Mac users use ifconfig in Terminal.
  • On phones and tablets, the local IP appears in Wi-Fi settings under the connected network details.
  • You may need your local IP to access your router, troubleshoot network problems, or set up devices on your home network.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP is what websites and online services see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address." Within a second, the search results will display a large number at the top — that is your public IP.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipchicken.com, which do nothing but display your public IP the moment the page loads. All of these methods show the same number because they are all seeing your connection from the outside looking in.

Your public IP changes when your internet service provider assigns you a new one, which happens periodically or when you restart your modem. It is the same across all your devices when they are all on the same home network — your phone, laptop, and tablet all share one public IP when connected to your home Wi-Fi.

Finding your local IP on Windows

Your local IP is the address your device has inside your home network. On Windows, the fastest way to find it is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of information will appear. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" (if you are plugged in with a cable) or "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" (if you are on Wi-Fi). Next to "IPv4 Address," you will see a number like 192.168.1.100 — that is your local IP.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, click the network you are connected to, and scroll down to "IP address." The number shown there is your local IP.

Finding your local IP on Mac

On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), then click Network. The network connection you are currently using will be highlighted on the left side. Your local IP appears on the right side next to "IP Address" — it typically starts with 192.168 or 10.

If you want to use Terminal instead, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Terminal, and press Enter. Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" (for Ethernet) or "en1" (for Wi-Fi). Next to "inet," you will see your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on phones and tablets

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the name of the network you are connected to. Scroll down and you will see "IP Address" listed along with other network details. That number is your local IP.

On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, tap the network you are connected to, and look for "IP address" in the network details. Some Android versions label this section differently, but it is always in the Wi-Fi settings under the connected network.

If you want your public IP on a phone or tablet, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" — the result is the same as on a computer.

When you need your local IP and when you need your public IP

You need your local IP when you are working with devices inside your home network. This includes accessing your router's settings (usually by typing your router's IP into a browser), setting up a printer or smart home device on your Wi-Fi, or troubleshooting why a device is not connecting properly. Your local IP tells you what address your device has within your home.

You need your public IP when you are setting up remote access to your computer, troubleshooting connection issues with your internet service provider, or checking whether your IP is blocked by a website or service. Your public IP is what the outside world sees, so it is what matters for anything involving the internet beyond your home network.

If someone asks for "your IP address" without specifying which one, they almost always mean your public IP. If you are setting something up on your home network, they will usually say "local IP" or "internal IP" to be clear.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If you are looking for your public IP and the search is not working, check that you are actually connected to the internet. If you are connected but the search returns nothing, try a different search engine or visit ipchicken.com directly.

If you are looking for your local IP and cannot find it in Settings, make sure you are looking in the right place for your device type. The most common mistake is looking in the wrong network section — for example, checking Ethernet settings when you are actually on Wi-Fi. Go back and verify which connection type you are using, then look in that section.

If your device shows a local IP that starts with 169.254, your device is not properly connected to your network. Forget the Wi-Fi network (or unplug the Ethernet cable), wait 10 seconds, and reconnect. Once you reconnect successfully, a proper local IP starting with 192.168 or 10 should appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same on all my devices?

Your public IP is the same across all devices on your home network — your phone, laptop, and tablet all show the same public IP to the outside internet. Your local IP is different for each device because each one gets its own address inside your home network.

Can someone find me using my IP address?

Your public IP can be traced to your internet service provider and general location (usually your city or region), but it cannot pinpoint your home address or identify you personally without additional information. Your local IP is only visible inside your home network and means nothing to anyone outside it.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your public IP changes when your internet service provider assigns you a new one, which can happen when you restart your modem, after a period of inactivity, or on a schedule set by your provider. Your local IP may change if your router restarts or if you disconnect and reconnect to the network, though most routers try to give the same local IP back to the same device.

Do I need to hide my IP address?

For normal internet use, you do not need to hide your IP address. Your public IP is visible to every website you visit, but that is how the internet works. You might consider hiding it if you are concerned about your location being visible or if you are accessing networks you want to keep private, but this is not necessary for everyday browsing.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1 (four numbers separated by dots), while IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 (longer, with colons and letters). IPv6 is the newer standard because the internet ran out of IPv4 addresses, but most home networks still use IPv4. You may see both listed in your network settings.