What your IP address is and why you might need it

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on the internet — something like 192.168.1.5 or 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. Every device connected to the internet has one. You might need to find yours to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or router, give tech support to someone helping you, or check which network your device is using.

There are two types: your local IP address (the one your device uses inside your home or office network) and your public IP address (the one the outside internet sees when you browse). Most of the time, you need the local one. Finding either takes less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your device settings and is usually a number starting with 192.168 or 10.
  • Windows users can find it by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac and Linux users can open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to see the same information.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) shows up instantly on sites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io.
  • You do not need any special software or account to check either type of IP address.

Finding your local IP on Windows

The fastest way is through the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter. You will see a list of information. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it in Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you are wired), click the network you are connected to, and scroll down to "IP address". Both methods show the same number.

Finding your local IP on Mac

Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight or find it in Applications > Utilities). Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — either "en0" for Ethernet or "en1" for Wi-Fi. Find the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" is your local IP address.

You can also go to System Settings > Network, click your active connection, and look for "IP Address" in the details panel. This is simpler if you are not comfortable with Terminal.

Finding your local IP on Linux

Open a terminal window and type ip addr or ifconfig (depending on your distribution). Press Enter. Look for the section labeled "inet" under your active connection — usually eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi. The number after "inet" is your local IP address.

If neither command works, try hostname -I, which shows just the IP address with no extra information.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP is what the outside internet sees when you visit a website. To find it, open any web browser and go to whatismyipaddress.com, ipinfo.io, or simply search "what is my ip" in Google. The page will display your public IP address immediately — usually a four-part number separated by periods.

This number changes depending on your internet service provider and sometimes changes on its own when you restart your modem. You do not need to remember it unless you are setting up remote access to your home computer or troubleshooting a connection issue with your provider.

When you need each type of IP address

Use your local IP address when you are setting up devices inside your home or office — connecting a printer to your Wi-Fi, logging into your router to change settings, or troubleshooting why a device cannot see another device on the same network. You also need it if someone is helping you remotely and asks for your IP to diagnose a problem.

Use your public IP address if your internet service provider asks for it when you call about a connection problem, or if you are setting up a service that needs to know where your internet connection is coming from. Most everyday tasks do not require your public IP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different identifier that only works on your local network. Your IP address works across the internet. They serve different purposes and look different — MAC addresses are usually six pairs of letters and numbers separated by colons, like aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff.

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your device gets disconnected and reconnects. Your public IP address may change when you restart your modem or periodically depending on your internet provider's settings. If you need a stable public IP, contact your provider about a static IP option.

Is it dangerous to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address with someone on your network is safe — they already have access to it. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it is also not secret, but do not share it with strangers unless they have a specific technical reason to ask for it.

What if I cannot find my IP address using these steps?

Make sure you are connected to the network first — check that Wi-Fi or Ethernet is active. If you are using a VPN, it may mask your public IP. For local IP issues, restart your device and try again. If the problem continues, your network may have a configuration issue worth discussing with your internet provider.