Your Mac's IP address is in System Settings under Network

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder). Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how your Mac connects. Next to the network name you're connected to, click the Details button. Your IP address appears in the window that opens, labeled as IPv4 Address. Write it down if you need it for troubleshooting or connecting devices on your home network.

This method works the same way on any recent macOS version. The IP address shown here is what other devices on your network use to find your Mac — it's the one you need if someone asks for your computer's address or if you're setting up a printer or security camera.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac's IP address is found in System Settings under the Wi-Fi or Ethernet section, in the Details button next to your network name.
  • The IPv4 Address shown is your local network address, used by other devices in your home to communicate with your Mac.
  • Terminal shows the same address using the command ifconfig, which is faster if you use it often.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.

Using Terminal for a faster lookup

If you use Terminal regularly, this method is quicker than opening System Settings. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type Terminal, and press Enter. In the Terminal window, type ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1 and press Enter.

Terminal displays your IP address on the line that starts with inet. The number after "inet" is your local IP address. This command filters out the loopback address (127.0.0.1) that your Mac uses internally, so you see only the address other devices can reach you on.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you find in System Settings or Terminal is your local IP address — it works only on your home network. Other devices in your house use this address to send files to your Mac, print to your printer, or stream video from your computer. This address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

Your public IP address is different. It's assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. To find your public IP, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP." The first result shows your public address. You rarely need this for home network tasks, but it matters if you're setting up remote access or troubleshooting internet-level issues.

Why you might need your Mac's IP address

Knowing your Mac's local IP address helps when you're connecting devices that need to find your computer on the network. If you're setting up a wireless printer, the printer's setup screen may ask for your Mac's address. If you're troubleshooting a network problem, your internet provider or a tech support person might ask for it. Some people also use it to access their Mac remotely from another room using screen-sharing software.

You might also need it if you're running a web server, game server, or other software that listens for connections from other devices. In those cases, other people on your network connect to your Mac using the local IP address you provide.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This means your Mac's address can change when you restart your computer or reconnect to the network. For most home uses, this doesn't matter — devices find each other automatically. But if you're running a service that others need to connect to, a changing address becomes a problem.

To keep your Mac's address stable, you can assign it a static IP in your router's settings. Log into your router (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a browser), find the DHCP or Local Network section, and reserve an address for your Mac's device name. The exact steps vary by router model, so check your router's manual or support page for instructions. Alternatively, you can set a static address directly on your Mac in System Settings under Network, though this is less common for home users.

Checking your connection type affects which address you see

Your Mac can connect to your network through Wi-Fi or Ethernet (a wired connection). Each connection type has its own IP address, and you only see the address for the connection you're currently using. If you're connected to Wi-Fi, clicking Details next to your Wi-Fi network shows your Wi-Fi address. If you plug in an Ethernet cable, you need to click Details next to Ethernet to see that address instead.

Some Macs have both connections active at the same time. In that case, your Mac has two different local IP addresses — one for Wi-Fi and one for Ethernet. Your router uses both to reach your Mac, but most devices will use whichever connection is faster or more stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number like 192.168.1.50 that identifies your Mac on the network. Your MAC address (Media Access Control) is a different identifier that looks like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Both are used for network communication, but in different ways. You find your MAC address in the same System Settings window, listed as "Wi-Fi Address" or "Ethernet Address."

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?

Your router assigns addresses from a range reserved for private home networks. Most home routers use 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x ranges. These addresses only work on your local network — the internet doesn't route traffic to them. This design lets millions of home networks use the same address ranges without conflicts.

Can I change my IP address manually?

Yes, but you usually shouldn't. Your router assigns addresses automatically, and changing one manually can cause conflicts if another device gets the same address. If you need a stable address for a specific reason, it's safer to reserve one in your router's settings so the router manages it for you.

What if I can't find the Details button in System Settings?

Make sure you're looking at the network you're actually connected to — it should have a checkmark next to it. If you're using an older macOS version, the layout might be slightly different. Try clicking the network name itself, or look for an "Advanced" or "TCP/IP" button instead of Details.