How to Find Your IP Address in Windows (Every Method Explained)

Knowing your IP address in Windows is one of those tasks that sounds technical but takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look. The trickier part is understanding which IP address you actually need — because Windows machines typically have more than one, and the right answer depends entirely on what you're trying to do.

What Is an IP Address, and Why Does Windows Have Multiple?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to any device connected to a network. It's how devices find and communicate with each other.

On a Windows PC, you'll commonly encounter two distinct types:

• Private IP address — the address your router assigns to your device on your local network (e.g., 192.168.1.105). Only meaningful inside your home or office network.
• Public IP address — the address the wider internet sees. This belongs to your router, not your PC directly, and is shared by all devices on your network.

Most troubleshooting tasks (file sharing, printer setup, remote desktop) need the private IP. If you're configuring a server, game hosting, or remote access from outside your network, you need the public IP.

Method 1: Check Your IP Address Using Settings ⚙️

This is the most accessible route for everyday users on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I)
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click your active connection — Wi-Fi or Ethernet
4. On Wi-Fi: click the network name, then scroll to Properties
5. On Ethernet: click Ethernet, then your connection name

Your IPv4 address appears under the properties panel. You'll also see the subnet mask and default gateway (your router's local address) listed here.

Method 2: Find Your IP Address via Command Prompt

For users comfortable with a quick command, this method returns more detail and works across all modern Windows versions.

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

ipconfig 

3. Press Enter

The output lists every network adapter on your machine. Look for your active adapter (typically Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and find:

• IPv4 Address — your local private IP
• Subnet Mask — defines your network range
• Default Gateway — your router's IP address

For a cleaner output showing only the essentials, you can run:

ipconfig | findstr "IPv4" 

IPv6 addresses also appear here — a longer alphanumeric format. IPv6 is the newer standard gradually replacing IPv4, but most local network tasks still reference the IPv4 address.

Method 3: Use PowerShell for More Detail

PowerShell gives you structured output that's especially useful if you're managing multiple network adapters or virtual interfaces.

1. Right-click the Start button, select Windows PowerShell (or Terminal on Windows 11)
2. Run:

Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 

This returns all IPv4 addresses assigned to all adapters, along with interface names and address origins (DHCP vs. manual). Useful for machines running virtual network adapters from software like VirtualBox or VMware, which add their own IP addresses to the list.

Method 4: Check via the System Tray / Network Icon 🖥️

A quick shortcut on Windows 11:

1. Click the network icon in the system tray (bottom right)
2. Click the arrow (>) next to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection
3. Scroll down under the connection details

This shows your IP, DNS servers, and connection properties without opening a full settings window.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

None of the above methods reveal your public IP — that lives at the router level. The fastest way to find it from any browser on Windows:

• Search "what is my IP" in Google, Bing, or any search engine — it displays your public IP directly in the results
• Or visit any IP lookup tool in a browser — they all read the same outward-facing address your ISP assigned to your connection

Keep in mind: public IPs are typically dynamic, meaning your ISP can change them periodically unless you've specifically arranged a static IP.

Key Variables That Affect Which IP You're Looking At

When Your IP Address Isn't What You Expected

If ipconfig returns 169.254.x.x, that's an APIPA address — a self-assigned fallback Windows uses when it can't reach a DHCP server (usually your router). It typically signals a network connectivity problem rather than your real local IP.

If you're running a VPN, your visible IP — both locally through virtual adapters and publicly — will reflect the VPN's assigned addresses, not your actual router or ISP.

Multiple adapters, virtual machines, and VPN tunnels all add entries to the ipconfig output, which can make identifying the right address less obvious than it first appears. Which address is the one that matters depends on the specific task you're trying to accomplish and how your particular network is set up.