How to Find the IP Address of Your System

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 issue, setting up remote access, or configuring a router, knowing how to find your system's IP address is a fundamental networking skill. The process varies depending on your operating system, network type, and whether you need your local (private) or public IP address.

Local IP Address vs. Public IP Address 🌐

Before diving into the steps, it's worth understanding the difference between these two types:

Most troubleshooting tasks — like connecting devices on the same Wi-Fi network — require your local IP. Accessing your system from outside your network requires your public IP.

How to Find Your IP Address on Windows

Using the Settings App (Windows 10/11)

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection
3. Select your active network, then click Properties
4. Scroll down to find IPv4 address

Using Command Prompt

This method works across virtually all Windows versions:

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter
2. In the command window, type ipconfig and press Enter
3. Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

You'll also see the Subnet Mask and Default Gateway (your router's IP), which are useful for broader network diagnostics.

How to Find Your IP Address on macOS

Using System Settings / System Preferences

1. Click the Apple menu → System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Go to Network
3. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the sidebar
4. Your IP address is displayed directly on that screen

Using Terminal

1. Open Terminal (found in Applications → Utilities)
2. Type ifconfig | grep "inet " and press Enter
3. Look for the line that shows your local network address — typically starting with 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x

How to Find Your IP Address on Linux

Linux users typically reach for the terminal:

• Run ip addr show or the older ifconfig command
• Your IP address appears next to inet under the active network interface (commonly labeled eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi)

For desktop environments like GNOME or KDE, you can also navigate to Settings → Network and view connection details from the interface information panel.

How to Find Your IP Address on Mobile Devices 📱

Android

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
2. Tap the connected network name
3. Look for IP address in the network details (you may need to tap an info or gear icon)

iPhone / iPad (iOS/iPadOS)

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi
2. Tap the (i) icon next to your connected network
3. Your IP address appears under the IPv4 Address section

Note that mobile devices typically only show a local IP when connected to Wi-Fi. On cellular data, your device uses a carrier-assigned IP that isn't easily surfaced through settings menus.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

Finding your public IP is simpler — it doesn't require navigating system menus at all. You can:

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

Your public IP is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is shared across all devices on your network (unless you're using a VPN, in which case you'll see the VPN server's IP instead).

Factors That Affect Which IP Address You See

Understanding your IP address isn't just about following steps — several variables shape what you'll find:

• DHCP vs. static assignment: Most home networks use DHCP, meaning your router assigns IP addresses automatically and they can change. A static IP is manually configured and stays fixed — common in business or server environments.
• IPv4 vs. IPv6: Modern systems support both. IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1; IPv6 addresses are longer and use hexadecimal notation (2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334). Many systems show both.
• VPN usage: An active VPN reroutes traffic and changes the IP your system presents to the outside world — and sometimes changes how your local network routes traffic too.
• Multiple network adapters: Laptops with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, or systems running virtual machines, may have several IP addresses simultaneously — one per active adapter.
• Network type: Corporate or institutional networks often use different IP ranges and may apply additional layers of NAT (Network Address Translation), which can make identifying your "true" local IP less straightforward.

What the IP Address Range Tells You

Private IP addresses fall within specific reserved ranges defined by internet standards:

• 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
• 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
• 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255

If the IP you find falls within one of these ranges, it's a private address — not directly reachable from the internet. Anything outside these ranges is a public IP.

The specific range your network uses, whether your IP is dynamic or static, and how many adapters your system has all determine what you're actually looking at — and whether that address serves your immediate need.