How to Find Your Computer's IP Address in Three Steps

Your IP address is on your computer right now — here's where to look

Your computer has an IP address the moment it connects to a network. You do not need to request it or set it up. It is either assigned automatically by your router (the most common setup) or you configured it yourself. Finding it takes under a minute on any operating system, and the steps are straightforward.

The address you are looking for is your local IP address — the one your router gave your computer so devices on your home network can talk to each other. This is different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you visit them. Both are useful to know, and both are findable from the same places.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 address".
On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and your IP address appears in the details pane on the right.
On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see your local IP address immediately.
Your public IP address (what the internet sees) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0 and change only if you restart your router or manually reconfigure your network.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on Network & Internet in the left sidebar.

Select Status from the menu. Scroll down to the "IP settings" section. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 address" — it will look something like 192.168.1.105 or 10.0.0.50. That is your computer's address on your home network.

If you want to see more details, scroll down further to find "More network options" and click it. You can also see your MAC address here, which is a separate identifier that some networks use to recognize your device.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Open System Settings (in newer macOS versions) or System Preferences (in older ones). Click Network in the sidebar.

Select the network connection you are currently using — usually Wi-Fi if you are on wireless, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. Your IP address appears in the details pane on the right side of the window, labeled "IPv4 Address". It will look similar to the Windows format: something like 192.168.1.110.

If you do not see it immediately, make sure the connection is selected and click the Details button if it appears. On very old Mac systems, you may need to click Advanced and then the TCP/IP tab.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type the command hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line — usually something like 192.168.1.115.

If that command does not work, try ip addr show instead. This shows more detail, including all network interfaces on your computer. Look for the line that starts with "inet" under the connection you are using (usually labeled "wlan0" for wireless or "eth0" for wired). The IP address is the number right after "inet".

Understanding what you are looking at

The address you just found is your local IP address — it only works on your home network. Your router assigned it to your computer automatically when you connected. Every device on your network has one, and they all start with the same first numbers (usually 192.168 or 10.0).

This is different from your public IP address, which is what websites and internet services see when you connect to them. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is shared by all devices on your network. To find it, open any browser and search for "what is my IP" — the first result will show you your public address.

You might also see an IPv6 address in these same settings. This is a newer format for IP addresses that looks like a string of letters and numbers separated by colons (for example, fe80::1). Most home networks use both IPv4 and IPv6, but for everyday purposes, your IPv4 address is the one you need.

Why you might need your IP address

You need your local IP address when you want to access your computer remotely from another device on the same network, or when you need to log into your router's settings to change your Wi-Fi password or network name. Some printers and smart home devices also ask for your computer's IP address to set up a connection.

You need your public IP address much less often, but it is useful if you are troubleshooting internet problems with your service provider or if you want to know what location data websites might see from your connection.

What to do if your IP address changes

Your local IP address usually stays the same as long as your computer stays connected to the same network and your router is not restarted. If you restart your router, your computer will get a new local IP address when it reconnects — this is normal and nothing to worry about.

If you need your computer to always have the same local IP address (for example, to set up port forwarding or to make a printer connection stable), you can assign a static IP address in your router's settings. This tells the router to always give your computer the same address. The steps vary by router model, but the option is usually in the router's admin panel under DHCP settings or Reserved IPs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my local IP address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your local IP address (192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) only works on your home network. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see. They are completely different numbers.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

No. Restarting your computer does not change its IP address. Your router only reassigns addresses when it restarts or when a device has been disconnected for a long time. If you want a fresh IP address, restart your router instead.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can assign a static local IP address through your router's settings, which prevents it from changing. You cannot change your public IP address directly, but it will change if you restart your router or contact your internet provider to request a new one.

Why do I see two different IP addresses in my settings?

You are probably seeing both an IPv4 address (the older format, like 192.168.1.100) and an IPv6 address (the newer format, with colons and letters). Both are normal and both work. Most home networks use both at the same time.

Do I need to write down my IP address somewhere?

You do not need to memorize it or write it down for everyday use. You can look it up in Settings whenever you need it. If you set up a static IP address for a specific device or service, that is worth writing down or saving in a note.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.