The fastest way to find your IP address on Mac

Open System Settings, click Network in the sidebar, then select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected. Your local IP address — the one your router assigned to your Mac — appears next to "IP Address" on the right side of the window. This is the address you'll use if you need to connect to your Mac from another device on the same network, or if you're troubleshooting a router problem.

If you want your public IP address — the one the outside internet sees — you'll need a different method, because your Mac doesn't display it in System Settings. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is shared by all devices on your home network.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in System Settings under Network, next to "IP Address", and is different from your public IP.
  • To find your public IP address, visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com or use the Terminal command curl ifconfig.me.
  • Your local IP usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and stays the same unless your router restarts or you change settings.
  • If System Settings shows "Not Connected" or no IP address, your Mac is not connected to the network and needs to reconnect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Finding your local IP address in System Settings

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click Network. You'll see a list of connection types — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, and others. Click whichever one you're currently using to connect to the internet.

On the right side of the window, look for the line that says "IP Address" followed by a series of numbers, usually something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.12. That's your local IP address. Below it you'll also see your subnet mask and router address (labeled "Router") if you need them for network troubleshooting.

If you see "Not Connected" instead of an IP address, your Mac is not currently on the network. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network or plug in an Ethernet cable, and the IP address should appear within a few seconds.

Using Terminal to find either IP address

Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command-Space, typing "Terminal", and pressing Enter). For your local IP address, type ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1 and press Enter. You'll see one or more IP addresses listed — the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0 is your local address.

For your public IP address, type curl ifconfig.me and press Enter. Terminal will display the IP address that the outside internet sees when your Mac connects to it. This method works even if you're on a VPN, though the address you see will be your VPN provider's address rather than your ISP's.

Terminal commands are useful if System Settings isn't responding or if you want to check your IP address quickly without opening the full settings window. Copy and paste the commands above to avoid typing errors.

Finding your public IP address in a web browser

Open any web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com, ipinfo.io, or similar sites. The page will display your public IP address immediately — no login or installation needed. These sites work because they show you the IP address that appears to them when your Mac connects, which is the same address your internet service provider assigned to your home network.

This method is the simplest if you're not comfortable with Terminal, and it also shows additional information like your approximate location (based on the IP address) and your internet service provider's name. Keep in mind that this location is often inaccurate — it's based on where your ISP's servers are, not where you actually are.

Understanding the difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is only visible to other devices on your home network. It's what you use if you need to access your Mac from another computer in your house, or if you're setting up a printer or other device. Local addresses almost always start with 192.168 or 10.0.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to every server on the internet. Websites see this address when you visit them, and it's what they use to send information back to you. Your public IP is shared by all devices on your home network — your phone, laptop, smart TV, and everything else all appear to the internet as coming from the same public IP.

If you're troubleshooting a network problem on your Mac itself, you need your local IP. If a website is blocking you or you're trying to understand what information is visible about your internet activity, you need your public IP.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts, if you disconnect and reconnect to Wi-Fi, or if your router's settings are configured to reassign addresses regularly. If you need your Mac to have the same local IP every time, you can assign a static IP address in System Settings. Click Network, select your connection, click Details, then click TCP/IP. Change "Configure IPv4" from "Using DHCP" to "Manually" and enter a fixed address.

Your public IP address changes less often — usually only when your modem restarts or when your internet service provider decides to reassign it, which can happen anywhere from weekly to yearly depending on your provider. If you need to know your public IP for security reasons (like checking if your home network has been compromised), check it regularly and note if it changes unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac show two different IP addresses?

You may have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connected at the same time, and each gets its own local IP address from your router. Check System Settings and look at each connection type separately. Your public IP is the same for both connections because they're on the same home network.

Is my IP address private or can anyone see it?

Your local IP is private — only devices on your home network can see it. Your public IP is visible to every website you visit and every server you connect to. Websites can see your public IP, your approximate location, and your internet service provider, but they cannot see your local IP or the specific device you're using.

What if System Settings shows an IP address starting with 169?

An address starting with 169.254 means your Mac is not actually connected to your router — it's a placeholder address that appears when the connection fails. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network or check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in. If the problem continues, restart your router and your Mac.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can assign a static local IP address in System Settings as described above, but you cannot change your public IP directly — that's controlled by your internet service provider. If you need a different public IP for privacy reasons, you would need to use a VPN service, which routes your traffic through a different server.

Do I need to know my IP address for anything?

You need your local IP if you're setting up network devices, accessing your Mac remotely, or troubleshooting router problems. You need your public IP mainly for security checks or if a website is blocking your region. For most everyday use, you don't need to know either one.