How Do I Check My IP Address? (Every Method Explained)

Your IP address is your device's identifier on a network — the digital equivalent of a mailing address. Knowing how to find it matters more than most people realize: it helps with troubleshooting connection issues, configuring routers, setting up remote access, or simply understanding what information your device broadcasts to the internet.

The process differs depending on which IP address you're looking for and which device you're using.

Public IP vs. Private IP — Know the Difference First

Before you start checking, it's worth understanding that there are actually two types of IP addresses in play for most users.

• Public IP address — This is the address your internet service provider (ISP) assigns to your network. It's visible to every website, server, and service you connect to. All devices on your home or office Wi-Fi share one public IP.
• Private IP address — This is the address your router assigns to each individual device inside your network. Your laptop, phone, and smart TV all have separate private IPs. These are invisible to the outside internet.

Neither is "better" to know — they're used in different situations. Troubleshooting a port forwarding issue? You need both. Checking what websites see when you visit them? That's your public IP.

How to Check Your Public IP Address 🌐

The fastest method works on any device with a browser:

Type one of the following into your address bar and press Enter:

• whatismyip.com
• ipinfo.io
• icanhazip.com

Any of these services will immediately display your current public IP address. No account needed, no software required.

From the command line, you can also run:

• Windows/macOS/Linux:curl ifconfig.me (in Terminal or Command Prompt)

This returns your public IP in plain text — useful if you're working in a server environment or scripting.

Note: If you're using a VPN, the public IP shown will belong to the VPN server, not your ISP. That's working as intended — it's the whole point of a VPN.

How to Check Your Private IP Address by Device

Windows

1. Open Command Prompt (search for cmd in the Start menu)
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter
3. Look for IPv4 Address under your active connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi)

Alternatively: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi or Ethernet → Properties and scroll to find your IP address listed there.

macOS

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions)
2. Go to Network
3. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
4. Your IP address appears on the right side

Via Terminal: Type ipconfig getifaddr en0 for Wi-Fi or en1 for Ethernet.

iPhone / iPad

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

Android

Steps vary slightly by manufacturer, but generally:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi
2. Tap the name of your connected network
3. Scroll down to find IP address details

Some Android devices show this under Advanced or require tapping a pencil/edit icon to reveal full network details.

Linux

Open a terminal and run:

ip addr show 

or the older command ifconfig (may require installation on minimal distros). Look for the inet entry under your active interface (eth0, wlan0, etc.).

IPv4 vs. IPv6 — What You Might See

You may notice two IP addresses listed: one that looks like 192.168.1.45 and another that looks like fe80::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f:7g8h.

IPv4 is still the dominant standard for most home networks. IPv6 is the newer protocol designed to handle the world's growing number of connected devices. Many networks run both simultaneously — this is called dual-stack operation. Which one matters to you depends on what you're troubleshooting or configuring.

When Your IP Address Changes

Most home users are on a dynamic IP, meaning the ISP periodically reassigns a different public address. This is normal and usually invisible in day-to-day use. Business accounts, servers, and some specialty setups use a static IP, which stays fixed.

Your private IP can also change if you reconnect to a network, restart your router, or if your router's DHCP lease expires. If you're setting up a local server or printer that other devices need to reliably reach, a static private IP (assigned through your router settings) is worth considering.

What Checking Your IP Can and Can't Tell You

Finding your IP address is a starting point — not a complete diagnostic. It tells you:

✅ Whether you're connected and assigned an address ✅ Whether your VPN is active (by comparing your visible public IP) ✅ Your network segment, which helps with local configuration

It won't directly tell you why your connection is slow, whether your ISP is throttling you, or what's causing packet loss. Those require additional tools like ping, traceroute, or a proper speed test.

The method that makes sense for you — and which IP matters most in your situation — really comes down to what you're trying to accomplish, which device you're on, and how deep into your network setup you actually need to go.