Finding your IP address depends on your operating system

Your computer's IP address is printed in your network settings, not anywhere on the screen by default. The fastest way to find it is to open a command or terminal window and run a single command — the method changes depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

You do not need special software or a restart. The address is already there; you just need to know where to look. Most people find it in under a minute once they know the steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users open Terminal and type ifconfig or ipconfig, then search for "inet" followed by a four-part number.
  • Linux users open a terminal and type ip addr or ifconfig to see all network interfaces and their addresses.
  • Your IP address on your home network starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 — any other format means you are looking at your public IP instead.
  • If you need your public IP (the one your internet provider assigns), search "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type cmd or command prompt. Click the Command Prompt app when it appears. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your network adapter name — usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it is your computer's local IP address on your home network. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, you only need the one that is actually connected. Look for the adapter that has an IPv4 Address listed — disconnected adapters will show all zeros or no address at all.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Open Spotlight search by pressing Command + Space. Type terminal and press Enter. A terminal window will open.

Type ifconfig and press Enter. A long list of network information will appear. Look for a section that starts with en0 or en1 — these are your network adapters. Under that section, find the line that starts with inet followed by a space and a four-part number. That number is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple en sections, the first one (en0) is usually your active connection. You can also type ipconfig instead of ifconfig on newer Macs — both commands work the same way.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The method varies by desktop environment, but usually you can right-click the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or press Ctrl + Alt + T.

Type ip addr and press Enter. A detailed list of all network interfaces will appear. Look for a section labeled inet followed by a four-part number and a slash. That number is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105/24 — ignore the slash and everything after it.

If the ip addr command does not work, try ifconfig instead. Older Linux systems use ifconfig by default. Both commands show the same information in slightly different formats.

Understanding what you are looking at

Your local IP address — the one on your home network — always starts with one of three patterns: 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x through 172.31.x.x. These are reserved ranges that routers use for home and office networks. If your address starts with anything else, you are probably looking at your public IP address instead, which is different.

The last number in your local IP address (the part after the last dot) is unique to your computer on your network. Your router assigns this number automatically when your computer connects. Other devices on your network will have different numbers in that last position but the same first three parts.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see when you visit them. You do not need to find it in your settings — you can see it when ready by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Why you might need your IP address

You need your local IP address if you are setting up port forwarding on your router, connecting to your computer remotely from another device, or troubleshooting network problems. Some printers and smart home devices also ask for your computer's IP address when you set them up.

Your public IP address matters if you are checking whether your internet provider changed it, testing whether a website can reach you, or diagnosing connection problems with your internet service provider. Most of the time you do not need either one — they are only useful for specific technical tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts or if you disconnect and reconnect to the network. Your public IP address changes less often but can shift if your modem restarts or your internet service provider updates its systems. If you need a stable address for a specific device, you can set a static IP in your router settings, though this is rarely necessary for everyday use.

Is my IP address the same on Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

No. If you connect to the same router using both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, your computer will have two different local IP addresses — one for each connection. Most computers only use one at a time, so you will only see one address in your network settings.

What if ipconfig or ifconfig does not show an address?

Your computer is not connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your Ethernet cable is plugged in. Wait a few seconds for the connection to establish, then run the command again. If you still see no address, restart your router and try once more.

Can someone find my computer using my IP address?

Your local IP address only works on your home network — it is not visible to the internet. Your public IP address is visible to websites, but it points to your router, not your specific computer. Websites cannot use your public IP to access your computer directly unless you have specifically set up port forwarding in your router.