The quickest way to find your IP address depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux

Your computer's IP address is a number your router assigns to it so devices on your network can find each other. You may need it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer, or give tech support someone a specific identifier. The steps differ slightly by operating system, but all three methods take less than a minute.

The address you find will be a local IP address — the one your router gave your computer for use inside your home network. This is different from your public IP address, which your internet service provider assigns to your router and is visible to websites you visit. Most home troubleshooting uses the local address.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address next to "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your local IP address when ready.
  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and changes only if your router restarts or you manually change it.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search box. Click the Command Prompt app when it appears. A black window will open with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will display a list of network information. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one you use to connect to your network. Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.42. That is your local IP address. You can close the Command Prompt window after you have written it down.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). In the sidebar, click "Network".

You will see a list of connection types on the left — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or both. Click whichever one you are currently using. On the right side of the window, you will see connection details. Look for "IP Address" in that panel. The number next to it is your local IP address. If you do not see it, make sure you have selected the connection you are actually using.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The method varies by desktop environment, but usually you can right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. If you have multiple network connections, you may see more than one address — use the one that matches your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). You can close the terminal after you have the address.

What your IP address tells you about your network setup

The first numbers in your IP address reveal how your router is configured. Most home routers use addresses starting with 192.168 or 10.0. If your address starts with something else — like 172.16 — your router is using a different private range, which is less common but still normal.

The last number in your address (the one after the final dot) is unique to your device. If you have multiple computers on your network, they will all start with the same first three numbers but end differently. This is how your router keeps track of which device is which.

When you might need your local IP address

You need your local IP address when you are setting up a printer or network storage device and the setup instructions ask for your computer's address. You also need it if you are giving tech support to someone remotely and they need to identify your machine on the network.

If you are troubleshooting a slow connection or a device that cannot find your computer, knowing your IP address helps you verify that your router assigned one correctly. If your address starts with 169.254 instead of 192.168 or 10.0, your computer did not receive an address from the router — that is a sign the connection failed.

Why your IP address might change

Your router assigns a new local IP address each time it restarts or each time your computer reconnects to the network. Most home routers are set to reassign addresses automatically, so you may see a different number the next time you check. This is normal and does not affect how your network works.

If you need the same address every time — for example, to always reach a printer at the same number — you can set a static IP address in your router's settings. This tells the router to always give that device the same address. The steps to do this vary by router model, but the option is usually in the router's admin panel under "DHCP" or "Local Network".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my local IP address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your local IP address is for devices inside your home network only. Your public IP address is what websites see when you visit them, and it belongs to your router, not your computer. To find your public IP, search "what is my IP" in any search engine.

What if I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or hostname?

You may have multiple network connections active — for example, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Use the address for the connection you are actually using. If you are unsure which one, look at your network settings to see which connection shows as "connected".

Can someone use my local IP address to hack me?

Your local IP address only works inside your home network, so someone outside your home cannot use it to reach your computer directly. Your router's firewall blocks incoming connections from the internet. However, do not share your local IP address with strangers online, as it can reveal information about your network setup.

Why does my IP address start with 169.254?

This means your computer did not receive an address from your router. Check that your network cable is plugged in or that you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Restart your router and reconnect your computer. If the problem continues, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly.