How to find your device's IP address
Your device's IP address is a number your router assigns to it so other devices on your network can find it. You'll need this number if you want to troubleshoot a connection problem, log into your device remotely, or set up port forwarding. The steps differ depending on whether you're using Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a router itself.
The fastest way is usually to ask your device directly through its settings rather than hunting through your router. Each operating system keeps this information in a different place, but none of them hide it — you just need to know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your IPv4 address listed under "IPv4 address".
- On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for "IP Address" in the details pane.
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, select your network name, and the IP address appears under "IP Address".
- On Android, open Settings, go to About Phone, then Status or Network, and look for "IP address" in the list.
- Your router's own IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.
Finding your IP address on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar. On the right side of the window, click "Status".
Scroll down until you see a section labeled "IP settings". Under that section, you'll see "IPv4 address" followed by a number like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.3. That number is your device's IP address on your home network. If you need your public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns to your whole house), scroll down further to "Advanced network settings" and look for "Public IP address".
Finding your IP address on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings". In the sidebar, click "Network". You'll see a list of connection types — click the one you're currently using (usually "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet").
On the right side, you'll see details about that connection. Look for the line that says "IP Address" followed by a number. That's your device's IP address. If you're connected to Wi-Fi, you'll also see the Wi-Fi network name and signal strength on the same screen.
Finding your IP address on iPhone and iPad
Open the Settings app and tap "Wi-Fi". Find the network you're currently connected to (it will have a checkmark next to it) and tap the information icon (the small "i" in a circle) next to the network name.
A details screen will open. Look for the line labeled "IP Address" — the number next to it is what you need. You'll also see your subnet mask and router address on this same screen if you need them for troubleshooting.
Finding your IP address on Android
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find "About Phone" or "About Device" (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap it, then look for a section called "Status" or "Network". Tap that section.
You should see "IP address" listed with a number next to it. If you don't see it in Status, go back and try "Network" instead — Samsung devices and others sometimes organize this information differently. The number you're looking for will be in the format 192.168.x.x or 10.0.0.x.
Finding your router's IP address
Your router itself has an IP address, separate from the addresses it assigns to your devices. This is the address you use when you log into your router to change settings. Most home routers use either 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 as their default address.
The easiest way to find your router's actual IP address is to look at the sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself — it's usually printed there along with the Wi-Fi network name and password. If the sticker is worn off or missing, you can find it by opening a web browser on any device connected to your network and typing "192.168.1.1" into the address bar. If that doesn't work, try "192.168.0.1" instead. One of these will take you to your router's login page.
What to do once you have your IP address
Once you know your device's IP address, you can use it to troubleshoot network problems. If a device isn't connecting to your network, you can ping its IP address from another device to see if it's reachable. If you're setting up port forwarding to access a device from outside your home, you'll enter this IP address into your router's settings.
Keep in mind that your device's local IP address can change over time, especially if you restart your router or if your router's DHCP settings are configured to reassign addresses. If you need a device to keep the same IP address permanently, you can set a static IP address in your router's settings — but that's a separate process from straightforward finding what your current address is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between my local IP address and my public IP address?
Your local IP address is what your router uses to identify your device on your home network — it's the number you see in Settings. Your public IP address is what websites and services outside your home see when you connect to them. Your internet provider assigns your public IP address to your router, and all devices in your home share it when they go online.
Why does my IP address keep changing?
Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using a system called DHCP. When you restart your router or when your device reconnects to the network, it may receive a different address. If you need a device to keep the same IP address, you can configure a static IP address in your router's settings or on the device itself, though this is usually only necessary for servers or devices you access remotely.
Can I find someone else's IP address on my network?
Yes, you can see all the devices connected to your network and their IP addresses by logging into your router. Open a web browser, go to your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1), log in with your router's username and password, and look for a section called "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients". This shows every device currently on your network and its assigned IP address.
Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?
No, they're different. Your IP address is a number your router assigns to identify your device on the network — it can change. Your MAC address is a permanent identifier built into your device's network hardware — it never changes. Both are useful for different troubleshooting tasks, but they serve different purposes.
What if I can't find my IP address in Settings?
Make sure you're looking in the right place for your operating system — the steps are different for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. If you're on Wi-Fi, check that you're actually connected to the network (you should see a Wi-Fi icon in your system tray). If you're still stuck, try restarting your device and checking again, as sometimes the network information takes a moment to display after connecting.