Where Is My PC's IP Address? How to Find It on Any Setup
Every device connected to a network has an IP address — a numerical label that identifies it and allows data to travel to the right destination. If you've ever needed to troubleshoot a connection, set up remote access, configure a router, or share files across a local network, finding your PC's IP address is usually one of the first steps. The process varies depending on your operating system, your network configuration, and whether you're looking for your local (private) IP or your public IP.
Understanding the difference between those two is where most people get confused.
Local IP vs. Public IP: They Are Not the Same Thing
Your PC actually has more than one IP address in most home or office setups.
Local IP address (also called a private IP): This is assigned by your router and identifies your PC within your home or office network. Other devices on the same Wi-Fi or LAN see your computer by this address. It typically looks like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x.
Public IP address: This is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and represents your entire network to the outside internet. All devices in your home share one public IP when communicating with external websites or services.
When someone asks "where is my PC IP address," they usually want one or the other depending on the task at hand. Configuring a printer or local file share? You need the local IP. Whitelisting access on a remote server or checking your geolocation? You need the public one.
How to Find Your Local IP Address on Windows 🖥️
Windows offers several paths to this information.
Method 1 — Settings App (Windows 10/11):
- Open Settings → Network & Internet
- Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection
- Select your network name and scroll to the IPv4 address field
Method 2 — Command Prompt:
- Press Windows + R, type cmd, hit Enter
- Type ipconfig and press Enter
- Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
The ipconfig output also shows your Default Gateway (usually your router's IP) and Subnet Mask, which are useful for more advanced network tasks.
Method 3 — Task Manager / Network settings shortcut: Right-click the network icon in the system tray → Open Network & Internet Settings → Click your active connection → Properties
How to Find Your Local IP Address on macOS
- Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) → Network
- Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the sidebar
- Your IP address appears next to IP Address or under the Details/Advanced panel
Alternatively, open Terminal and type:
Use en0 for Wi-Fi or en1 for Ethernet depending on your Mac's configuration. The exact interface name can vary by hardware.
How to Find Your Local IP Address on Linux
Open a terminal and run:
or the older command:
Your IP will appear next to inet under the relevant interface — commonly eth0 for wired or wlan0 for wireless. Some distributions may label these differently (e.g., enp3s0 or wlp2s0).
How to Find Your Public IP Address
The fastest method on any platform: open a browser and search "what is my IP" — Google, Bing, or services like whatismyip.com will display it immediately. 🌐
From the command line on Windows:
On macOS/Linux:
Your public IP is assigned dynamically by most ISPs, meaning it can change periodically unless you've paid for a static IP. This matters a lot if you're running a home server, game server, or remote desktop setup.
Key Variables That Affect Which IP You're Working With
| Factor | What It Affects |
|---|---|
| Wired vs. Wi-Fi connection | Different adapters, potentially different local IPs |
| Router DHCP settings | Whether your local IP changes or stays fixed |
| VPN in use | Masks your public IP; may also alter local routing |
| IPv4 vs. IPv6 | Many modern networks assign both; some services require one specifically |
| ISP plan type | Static vs. dynamic public IP |
| Multiple network adapters | Virtual machines, docking stations, or VPNs create extra adapters |
IPv4 vs. IPv6: A Quick Note
You may notice two different IP formats when checking your address:
- IPv4: Four sets of numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.105)
- IPv6: Eight groups of hexadecimal values separated by colons (e.g., fe80::1a2b:3c4d:5e6f:7g8h)
IPv6 was introduced to handle the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses globally. Most modern operating systems are assigned both, and which one is used for a given connection depends on the network, the destination server, and your router's configuration. For most local tasks, IPv4 is still the more commonly referenced format.
When the Same Steps Give Different Results
Two people following identical steps can end up with very different addresses — or even multiple valid addresses — based on their setup. A PC connected to both a physical Ethernet cable and a Wi-Fi network simultaneously will have a local IP for each adapter. A PC running virtualization software like VMware or VirtualBox will show additional virtual network adapters, each with its own address. A machine connected through a corporate VPN may route all traffic through a different IP entirely.
What your PC's IP address looks like, how stable it is, and which one matters for your specific task all comes down to how your network is configured and what you're actually trying to do with that information.