How to Find the IP Address of Your Router (Simple Guide)
Finding your router’s IP address is one of those small technical tasks that suddenly matters a lot when you want to change Wi‑Fi settings, open a port, or check who’s on your network. The good news: every device on your network already knows your router’s IP — you just need to ask it in the right way.
This guide explains what a router IP address is, why it matters, and how to find it on Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone/iPad, and popular router brands. Along the way, you’ll see where things can differ depending on your setup, so you can match the instructions to your own situation.
What Is a Router IP Address, Exactly?
Your router has at least one IP address on your local network, usually called the default gateway. Think of it as:
A few key points:
Internal vs external IP
- Internal (private) IP: Used inside your home network. Common values:
- 192.168.0.1
- 192.168.1.1
- 10.0.0.1
- External (public) IP: The address your internet provider gives your router to talk to the wider internet.
- Internal (private) IP: Used inside your home network. Common values:
Why you care about the internal IP
- It’s the address you type into your browser to open the router admin page.
- You need it to:
- Change Wi‑Fi name and password
- Set up parental controls
- Forward ports for games, servers, or remote access
- Check connected devices and basic network status
When people say “find my router IP address,” they almost always mean this internal/local IP.
Quick Reference: How to Find Your Router IP on Popular Systems
Here’s the high-level view. Detailed steps follow in the next sections.
| Device / OS | Where to Look | Key Term to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | Command Prompt → ipconfig | Default Gateway |
| macOS | Network settings → Advanced → TCP/IP | Router |
| Android | Wi‑Fi details / network info | Gateway |
| iPhone / iPad | Wi‑Fi info (ⓘ icon) | Router |
| Linux | Terminal → ip route or ip r | default via … |
| Router label | Sticker on router bottom/back | Often marked Gateway or Router IP |
How to Find Your Router IP on Different Devices
On Windows 10 and Windows 11
Method 1: Using Command Prompt
- Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
- In the black window, type:
ipconfig - Press Enter.
- Look for your active connection:
- For wired: Ethernet adapter
- For Wi‑Fi: Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi
- Find the line labeled Default Gateway — the number next to it (e.g. 192.168.1.1) is your router’s IP address.