How to Find Your IP Address on Windows 10

Knowing your IP address is one of those basic networking skills that comes up more often than you'd expect — whether you're setting up a home network, troubleshooting a connection issue, configuring remote access, or just curious about how your device sits on the internet. Windows 10 gives you several ways to find this information, and the right method depends on how much detail you need and where you're comfortable looking.

What Is an IP Address, Exactly?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network. It's how devices identify and communicate with each other. On Windows 10, you'll typically encounter two types:

• Private IP address — the address assigned to your device within your local network (home Wi-Fi, office LAN, etc.). This is what your router sees.
• Public IP address — the address your network presents to the outside internet. All devices on your home network usually share one public IP, assigned by your ISP.

Most troubleshooting and local network tasks require your private IP. Connecting to external services or checking location-based configurations usually involves your public IP.

Method 1: Using the Settings App 🖥️

This is the most straightforward route for everyday users.

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection type
4. Click on your active network name
5. Scroll down to the Properties section

You'll see your IPv4 address listed alongside your subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. No commands, no technical background required.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt (ipconfig)

For a faster result — or if you want more network detail — the command line delivers everything at once.

1. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and hit Enter
2. In the Command Prompt window, type: ipconfig and press Enter

The output lists all active network adapters on your machine. Look for your relevant adapter (usually Ethernet adapter or Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi) and find the line labeled IPv4 Address.

If you want the full picture — including subnet mask, default gateway, MAC address, and DNS servers — run:

ipconfig /all 

This is particularly useful when diagnosing network conflicts or configuring static IP settings.

Method 3: Using the Network & Sharing Center

This older but still functional path works well if you prefer a visual interface:

1. Right-click the network icon in the taskbar (bottom right)
2. Select Open Network & Internet settings
3. Click Change adapter options
4. Right-click your active connection and choose Status
5. Click Details

A window shows your full network connection details, including IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

Method 4: Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers a cleaner output format than Command Prompt, which some users find easier to read:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell
2. Type the following and press Enter:

Get-NetIPAddress 

This returns all IP addresses assigned to your device, including both IPv4 and IPv6, across all adapters. You can filter results by adding -AddressFamily IPv4 to the command if you only want IPv4 results.

IPv4 vs. IPv6 — Which One Do You Need? 🔢

Windows 10 supports both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously, and you'll often see both listed for the same adapter.

For most home networking tasks — printer setup, game console configuration, file sharing — IPv4 is what you'll use. IPv6 is increasingly relevant for internet-facing applications, but most routers still handle translation automatically.

Finding Your Public IP Address

None of the methods above will show your public IP — that's handled at the router level, not the device level. To find your public IP:

• Open any browser and search "what is my IP" — Google displays it directly in the results
• Visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com or similar tools

Your public IP can change over time unless your ISP has assigned you a static IP, which is typically a paid service tier associated with business accounts.

When You Have Multiple Adapters

Modern Windows 10 machines often have several network adapters installed — physical Ethernet, Wi-Fi, virtual adapters from VPN software, Hyper-V virtual switches, or Bluetooth networking. Running ipconfig /all or checking Change adapter options will surface all of them.

If you're on a VPN, your visible IP address — both locally and externally — may differ from your base network assignment. VPN clients often create a separate virtual adapter with its own IP, which can affect how remote services identify your machine.

The Variables That Shape Your Situation

Finding an IP address is technically simple, but what you do with that information varies considerably based on your setup:

• Static vs. dynamic addressing — most home users get a dynamic IP from their router via DHCP, meaning it can change. If you're setting up a server, remote desktop, or port forwarding, a static local IP may be necessary.
• Network type — home networks, corporate networks, and guest networks each handle IP assignment differently. Enterprise environments often use managed DHCP with reserved addresses.
• VPN or proxy usage — these tools deliberately alter or mask your visible IP address, which matters for privacy, access control, and remote connectivity.
• IPv6 readiness — depending on your ISP and router configuration, IPv6 may or may not be fully active on your network.

The steps to find your IP are the same for nearly every Windows 10 machine. What the address itself means for your next step — whether that's port forwarding, network diagnostics, remote access setup, or something else entirely — depends on the specifics of your network and what you're actually trying to accomplish.