The quickest way: System Settings

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder). Click Wi-Fi in the left sidebar, then click the name of your network on the right side. Your IP address appears under "IP Address" — it looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.105.

If you are connected by ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, click Ethernet in the left sidebar instead. The IP address displays the same way.

This method works on any recent macOS version and takes about 10 seconds. Write down or screenshot the address if you need it for troubleshooting or connecting devices to your network.

Key Takeaways

  • System Settings shows your IP address in about 10 seconds — open Wi-Fi or Ethernet, click your network name, and look for "IP Address".
  • The Terminal command ifconfig displays your IP address and other network details in a text list if you are comfortable with command-line tools.
  • Network Utility (in Applications > Utilities) provides a graphical interface to view your IP address and run network tests without using Terminal.
  • Your IP address changes when you restart your router or reconnect to the network, so check it again if troubleshooting a connection problem.

Using Terminal for more detail

If you want to see your IP address alongside other network information, open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal). Type ifconfig and press Enter. A block of text appears showing all your network interfaces.

Look for the section labeled en0 (for ethernet) or en1 or en5 (for Wi-Fi, depending on your Mac model). Within that section, find the line starting with inet — the number after it is your IP address. Ignore lines starting with inet6; those are IPv6 addresses, which your home network may also use but are not what most home devices need.

Terminal also shows your subnet mask (the line starting with netmask) and your gateway address (the line starting with broadcast), which can be useful if you are setting up a new device or troubleshooting a connection that drops.

Network Utility: the graphical alternative

Open Applications, then Utilities, then Network Utility. Click the Info tab at the top. A dropdown menu labeled "Select a network interface" shows your available connections. Choose the one you are using (usually en0 for ethernet or en1 for Wi-Fi).

Your IP address appears in the field labeled "IP Address". This method gives you the same information as Terminal but in a window with labeled fields instead of raw text. Network Utility also includes tabs for Ping, Lookup, and Traceroute if you need to test your connection to other devices or websites.

Why your IP address might change

Most home routers assign IP addresses automatically using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This means your Mac receives a new address each time you restart your router, restart your Mac, or reconnect to the network. The address usually stays the same for weeks or months if you do not restart, but it is not permanent.

If you are setting up a device that needs to reach your Mac at a specific address — such as a printer or a backup drive — you have two options. You can check your Mac's IP address every time you need it, or you can assign a static IP address in System Settings under Wi-Fi > Details > TCP/IP. A static address does not change when you restart, but it requires you to pick a number that does not conflict with other devices on your network.

What to do if you see 169.254.x.x

If your IP address starts with 169.254, your Mac is not connected to your router properly. This is a fallback address that macOS assigns when DHCP fails. Restart your Mac and reconnect to Wi-Fi, or restart your router and wait two minutes for it to fully boot.

If the problem persists, check that your router is broadcasting your network name (SSID) and that you are entering the correct Wi-Fi password. If other devices connect fine, the problem is specific to your Mac — try "Forget This Network" in Wi-Fi settings, then reconnect and re-enter the password.

Finding your router's IP address instead

Your router itself also has an IP address, usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1. If you need to log into your router to change settings, you enter this address in a web browser. To find it, open Terminal and type netstat -nr | grep default. The number in the rightmost column is your router's IP address, also called your gateway.

Alternatively, in System Settings under Wi-Fi > Details, look for the field labeled "Router". The address shown there is the same number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my Mac's serial number or device ID?

No. Your IP address is assigned by your router and changes regularly. Your Mac's serial number and device ID are permanent identifiers built into the hardware. You need the IP address to connect to your Mac over a network; you need the serial number for warranty or repair claims.

Can I use my IP address to find my Mac if it is lost?

Only if your Mac is still connected to your home network. If it leaves your house, it will connect to a different network and receive a different IP address. Use Find My Mac (in System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud) to locate a lost Mac anywhere, not the IP address.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ifconfig?

Your Mac may have multiple network interfaces active at once — Wi-Fi, ethernet, and virtual networks for things like virtual machines or VPN software. Each interface gets its own IP address. The one you use depends on which connection is active. Check System Settings to see which network you are actually connected to.

Do I need to remember my IP address?

Not usually. Most home devices and software find each other automatically. You only need to know your IP address if you are setting up a printer, configuring a backup drive, or troubleshooting a network problem. Write it down or take a screenshot when you need it, then you can look it up again later.