The quickest way depends on what you're looking for

If you need the IP address of your own computer, open Settings (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac) and look in Network. If you need the IP address of another computer on your home or work network, open Command Prompt or Terminal and run a ping command with that computer's name. If you need the IP address of a computer you don't have direct access to — one on the internet — you'll need a different tool, like an online IP lookup or your router's connected devices list.

The method changes based on whether you're looking at your own machine, another device you can reach on your local network, or a remote computer somewhere else on the internet. Each situation uses different tools and takes a different amount of time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own computer's IP address is in Settings (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac) under Network or Wi-Fi settings.
  • To find another computer's IP address on your home network, use ping followed by the computer's name in Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac).
  • Your router's admin panel shows all devices currently connected to your network, including their IP addresses.
  • If you need a computer's public IP address (the one the internet sees), use an online IP lookup tool or check your router's WAN settings.

Finding your own computer's IP address in Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Settings". Click Settings, then select Network and Internet. On the left side, click Wi-Fi (if you're on wireless) or Ethernet (if you're plugged in with a cable). Under the network you're connected to, you'll see an IP address listed. That's your local IP address — the one other devices on your network use to find your computer.

If you want more detail, you can also open Command Prompt. Press Windows key + R, type "cmd", and press Enter. Type "ipconfig" and press Enter. You'll see a list of all your network connections. Look for "IPv4 Address" under the connection you're using — that's your local IP. The "Default Gateway" listed there is your router's IP address.

Finding your own computer's IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences (older Macs) or System Settings (newer Macs). Click Network. Select the network connection you're using from the list on the left — Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Your IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled "IP Address".

You can also open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities). Type "ifconfig" and press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by a number — that's your local IP address. If you see multiple entries, look under the connection type you're actually using (en0 for Ethernet, en1 or en2 for Wi-Fi, depending on your Mac model).

Finding another computer's IP address on your local network

If you know the name of the other computer, you can use the ping command. On Windows, open Command Prompt (Windows key + R, type "cmd", press Enter). Type "ping" followed by a space and the computer's name — for example, "ping OFFICE-LAPTOP" — and press Enter. The response will show that computer's IP address in the first line.

On Mac, open Terminal and type the same command: "ping OFFICE-LAPTOP" (replace with the actual computer name). The IP address appears in the response. If you don't know the computer's name, you can try "ping" followed by a partial name, though this doesn't always work.

If the ping doesn't work, the computer may be offline, not connected to your network, or have a firewall blocking ping requests. In that case, check your router's connected devices list instead.

Using your router to see all connected devices and their IP addresses

Your router keeps a list of every device currently connected to your network, along with each device's IP address. To access this list, open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. This is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual if neither works.

You'll be asked to log in. Use the username and password printed on your router (often "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number). Once logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "DHCP Clients", "Device List", or "LAN Devices" — the exact name varies by router brand. This list shows every device on your network and its IP address.

This method works even if a computer is asleep or has a firewall enabled, because the router sees the device regardless. It's the most reliable way to find any device on your home network.

Finding a computer's public IP address

Every computer connected to the internet has two IP addresses: a local one (used only on your home or office network) and a public one (the address the rest of the internet sees). If you need the public IP address of your own computer, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or ipchicken.com in any browser. These sites display your public IP instantly.

If you need the public IP address of a computer you don't have direct access to, you'll need to know something about it — usually its domain name or website. Tools like mxtoolbox.com or centralops.net can look up the public IP address associated with a domain name. Type the domain in and the tool returns the IP address.

You can also check your router's public IP address by logging into the router's admin panel (same process as finding connected devices) and looking for "WAN IP", "Internet IP", or "Public IP" in the status or dashboard section. This is the public IP address your entire home network shares.

What to do if you can't find the IP address you're looking for

If ping doesn't work, the computer may be offline, not on your network, or blocking ping requests through a firewall. Try the router method instead — it shows devices even when they're not responding to ping.

If you can't access your router's admin panel, check the label on the router for the default username and password. If you've changed the password and forgotten it, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, though this erases all your custom settings. If you're on a work network, ask your IT department for help — they manage the router and can tell you a device's IP address.

If you're trying to find a computer on the internet and you only have a partial name or no name at all, you likely won't be able to find its IP address without more information. Public IP addresses change regularly, and most computers on the internet aren't meant to be found this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to know a computer's IP address?

Common reasons include connecting to a printer on your network, accessing files on another computer, troubleshooting network problems, or setting up remote access. Knowing the IP address lets you communicate directly with that device instead of searching for it by name.

Is my IP address private or can anyone see it?

Your local IP address (192.168.x.x) is private — only devices on your network see it. Your public IP address is visible to websites you visit and can be looked up by anyone online, but it doesn't directly reveal your identity or location to most people. Your internet service provider knows which public IP belongs to you.

Will finding a computer's IP address let me access it?

Knowing the IP address is the first step, but you still need permission. The computer must have file sharing or remote access turned on, and you usually need a username and password. Simply having the IP address doesn't give you access to another person's computer.

Can I change my computer's IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can change over time. You can request a static IP (one that doesn't change) through your router's settings, though this is usually only needed for servers or devices you access frequently. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and changes when you restart your modem.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.100 (four numbers separated by dots). IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 (letters and numbers separated by colons). IPv6 is newer and provides more addresses, but most home networks still use IPv4. Your computer likely has both, and you can use either one to connect to a device.