How to Find Out Your IP Address (On Any Device or Network)
Your IP address is one of the most fundamental pieces of information about how your device connects to the internet — and yet most people have no idea what theirs is until they suddenly need it. Whether you're setting up a VPN, troubleshooting a network issue, configuring remote access, or just curious, finding your IP address takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
The slightly tricky part: there isn't just one IP address to find. There are two distinct types, and which one matters depends entirely on what you're trying to do.
The Difference Between Public and Private IP Addresses
Before diving into the how, it helps to understand the what.
Your public IP address is the address your internet service provider (ISP) assigns to your network. It's what the rest of the internet sees when your device makes a request — websites, servers, and online services all communicate with this address. Every household or office typically shares one public IP across all connected devices.
Your private IP address (also called a local IP) is the address your router assigns to each individual device on your home or office network. Your laptop, phone, smart TV, and game console each get their own private IP. These addresses are only visible within your local network and are not reachable from the outside internet.
| Address Type | Who Assigns It | Who Can See It | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public IP | Your ISP | Websites, servers, external tools | VPNs, port forwarding, remote access |
| Private IP | Your router | Devices on your local network | Local file sharing, printer setup, network config |
Knowing which type you need narrows down exactly where to look.
How to Find Your Public IP Address 🌐
This is the easiest of the two. Any device with a working internet connection can retrieve it instantly.
Using a browser: Open any web browser and search for "what is my IP address" in Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. The result appears at the top of the page. Alternatively, visit a dedicated lookup site — tools like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io display your public IP immediately, often with additional details like your approximate location and ISP name.
Using a command line: If you're comfortable with a terminal, you can retrieve your public IP without opening a browser:
- On Windows (PowerShell):
Invoke-RestMethod ifconfig.me - On macOS or Linux (Terminal):
curl ifconfig.meorcurl icanhazip.com
These commands query an external service and return your current public IP directly in the terminal window.
One important note: most residential internet connections use a dynamic public IP, meaning your ISP can change it periodically. If your IP matters for something ongoing — like hosting a server — that's a separate consideration worth understanding before relying on it.
How to Find Your Private IP Address
Your private IP is device-specific and found within your operating system's network settings rather than online tools.
On Windows: Open the Start menu and search for Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line labeled IPv4 Address under your active network adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). That's your local IP.
On macOS: Go to System Settings → Network, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and your IP address appears in the details panel. Alternatively, open Terminal and type ipconfig getifaddr en0 for Wi-Fi or en1 for Ethernet.
On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the (i) icon next to your connected network, and scroll down to the IPv4 Address section.
On Android: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi, tap your connected network, and expand the details. Your IP address is listed there. The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer and Android version.
On Linux: Open a terminal and run ip addr show or the older ifconfig command. Your private IP appears next to inet under your active interface (commonly eth0 for wired or wlan0 for wireless).
IPv4 vs. IPv6: Two Formats You Might See 🔢
When looking up your IP address, you may see two different formats:
- IPv4 looks like four sets of numbers separated by dots:
192.168.1.45 - IPv6 looks like a longer string of hexadecimal values:
2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334
IPv6 is the newer standard, developed to handle the growing number of internet-connected devices worldwide. Many networks now run both simultaneously — a setup called dual-stack. Some tools and applications specifically require one format over the other, so it's worth noting which version you're working with when troubleshooting.
Factors That Affect What You Find
Not every situation is straightforward. A few variables can change what you see:
- VPN or proxy use: If you're connected to a VPN, your public IP will reflect the VPN server's address, not your real one. This is intentional — it's how VPNs provide location masking and privacy.
- Carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT): Some ISPs — particularly mobile carriers — place many customers behind a shared IP using a technique called CGNAT. In these cases, the "public" IP you see may still be a private-range address within your ISP's infrastructure.
- Multiple network interfaces: Laptops and desktops with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet active may have different private IPs assigned to each interface.
- Static vs. dynamic assignment: Business internet plans often include a static public IP that doesn't change, while home plans almost always use dynamic addresses.
What Your IP Address Actually Reveals
A common concern is how much information an IP address exposes. In practice, a public IP typically reveals your ISP name, a rough geographic region (usually city or metro area level), and whether you're on a residential, business, or mobile connection. It does not reveal your street address, name, or precise location — that level of detail requires legal processes involving your ISP directly.
Your situation — which device you're on, why you need the address, and whether you're looking at public or private — is what determines which method above actually applies to you.