An IP address is a unique number that identifies your device on the internet, similar to a mailing address for your home

Every device that connects to the internet — your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV — gets assigned an IP address. It looks like a series of numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.5 or 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. When you send data across the internet, your IP address travels with it so that responses know where to come back to. Without it, websites and services would have no way to send information to your device.

You have two types of IP addresses working at the same time. Your public IP address is what the wider internet sees — it identifies your home or office network to the outside world. Your private IP address is what devices use inside your home network to talk to each other and your router. Your router translates between the two, acting as a middleman.

Key Takeaways

  • An IP address is a unique identifier that lets your device send and receive data on the internet, much like a postal address lets mail reach your home.
  • Your public IP address is visible to websites and services you visit, while your private IP address only works within your home network.
  • IP addresses can reveal your approximate location and internet provider, which is why some people use VPNs to mask them.
  • Your public IP address changes periodically unless you pay your internet provider for a static one, but your private addresses stay the same.

How IP addresses are assigned to your devices

When you connect a device to your home Wi-Fi or plug in an ethernet cable, your router automatically assigns it a private IP address using a system called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This happens in the background without you doing anything. The router keeps track of which device has which address so it knows where to send data when it arrives.

Your public IP address comes from your internet service provider (ISP). When you sign up for home internet, your ISP assigns an address to your router. Most ISPs change this address every few months or when you restart your modem, which is called a dynamic IP address. If you need the same public address all the time — for example, to run a server from home — you can pay your ISP extra for a static IP address that stays the same.

What information an IP address reveals

Your IP address is not completely anonymous. Websites you visit can see your public IP address in their server logs. From that address, someone with the right tools can determine your approximate geographic location — usually down to your city or neighborhood, sometimes more precisely. They can also identify your internet provider.

This is why your IP address matters for privacy. If you visit a website that tracks users, that site now knows your IP address and approximate location. Over time, this data can be collected and sold to advertisers or data brokers. Your IP address alone does not reveal your name or home address, but combined with other information, it can help identify you.

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

There are two versions of IP addresses in use today. IPv4 addresses use four numbers separated by periods (like 192.168.1.1) and can create about 4.3 billion unique addresses. When the internet was young, this seemed like plenty. As more devices came online, IPv4 addresses ran out.

IPv6 addresses use longer strings of numbers and letters (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334) and can create vastly more combinations. Most internet providers and devices now support both versions, though IPv4 is still more common. You do not need to choose between them — your device uses whichever one the network offers, usually without you noticing.

How to find your IP addresses

To find your public IP address, open a web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The page will display your public address immediately. This is the address websites see when you visit them.

Finding your private IP address depends on your device. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "IPv4 Address" under your network connection. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, and look for "IP Address." On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status or Network, depending on your version.

Why some people hide their IP address with a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location. When you use a VPN, websites see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours. This masks your real location and ISP from the sites you visit.

People use VPNs for different reasons. Some want to prevent their ISP from seeing which websites they visit. Others want to appear to be in a different country to access region-locked content. Some use VPNs on public Wi-Fi networks to protect their data from other people on the same network. VPNs do not make you completely anonymous — the VPN provider itself can see your traffic — but they do hide your IP address from the websites you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find my home address from my IP address?

Not directly. An IP address typically reveals your city or neighborhood, not your street address. However, if someone combines your IP address with other information about you online, they might be able to narrow it down further. This is why it is worth being cautious about what personal information you share publicly.

Does my IP address change every time I restart my router?

Not always. Your private IP addresses (the ones inside your home network) usually stay the same. Your public IP address may change when you restart your modem, but many ISPs keep the same address for weeks or months. If you need a consistent public address, contact your ISP about a static IP option.

Is it illegal to hide my IP address with a VPN?

Using a VPN is legal in most countries, including the United States. However, some countries restrict or ban VPN use. What you do while using a VPN is still subject to the law — a VPN does not make illegal activity legal, it just hides your IP address from websites.

Why do some websites ask for my IP address?

Websites do not usually ask you to provide your IP address directly — they see it automatically when you visit. Some services may ask for it if you are setting up a connection or troubleshooting a problem. Be cautious about sharing it with unfamiliar services, though your public IP is already visible to any website you visit.