The quickest way depends on your operating system

Your computer's IP address is a number that identifies it on your home network — like a mailing address for data. You may need it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer, or access your computer remotely. The steps to find it take less than a minute and differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Every device connected to your router gets an IP address automatically. That address stays the same most of the time, though it can change if your router restarts or if you leave the network and rejoin it. Finding your current address is straightforward once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • In Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your IP address listed when ready.
  • On a Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and your IP address appears in the details pane.
  • In Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your IP address in seconds.
  • Your IP address on your home network starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 — these are private addresses that only work inside your network.
  • If you need your public IP address (the one the internet sees), search "what is my IP" in any browser.

Finding your IP address in Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click Network & Internet in the left sidebar. On the right side, click Status. Scroll down to the section labeled "IP settings" and you will see your IPv4 address listed there — it looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.105.

If you prefer the command line, you can also open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your network connection — that is your computer's address on your home network.

Finding your IP address on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar. Select the connection you are using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how your Mac connects. Your IP address appears in the details pane on the right, labeled as "IPv4 Address."

If you use the terminal instead, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type "Terminal," and press Enter. Type ifconfig | grep "inet " and press Enter. You will see several IP addresses listed — look for the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0, which is your local network address. Ignore the one that says 127.0.0.1, which is your computer talking to itself.

Finding your IP address in Linux

Open a terminal window — the method varies by distribution, but usually you can right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or press Ctrl + Alt + T. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your IP address appears when ready on the next line.

If that command does not work, try ip addr show instead. Look through the output for a line that starts with "inet" and contains an address beginning with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. That is your local network address. The address 127.0.0.1 is your loopback address and not what you need.

Understanding what your IP address means

The address you find on your computer is a private IP address — it only works inside your home network. These addresses always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. Your router assigns these addresses to every device that connects, and they let devices on your network find and talk to each other.

Your router itself has a different address, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you ever need to log into your router to change settings, you type that address into a web browser. Your computer's private address is different from your router's address, so do not confuse the two.

When you need your public IP address instead

Sometimes you need your public IP address — the one the internet sees when your computer connects to websites. This is different from your private address. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP." The first result will show your public address, which is assigned by your internet provider and changes periodically.

You need your public IP address if you are setting up remote access to your computer from outside your home, or if you are troubleshooting a connection issue with your internet provider. Your private address is what you need for almost everything else — printers, file sharing, and home network problems.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Most home networks use DHCP, which means your router assigns a new IP address each time your computer connects. This is normal and usually not a problem. However, if you are setting up a printer or other device that needs to find your computer by address, a changing address can cause trouble.

To fix this, you can assign your computer a static IP address — one that does not change. In Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > More Network Adapter Options. Right-click your connection, select Properties, then select Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties. Choose "Use the following IP address" and enter an address like 192.168.1.100 (make sure it is different from your other devices). On a Mac, go to System Settings > Network, click Details, then the TCP/IP tab, and change "Configure IPv4" from "Automatic" to "Manual." In Linux, edit your network configuration file in the terminal, though the exact steps depend on your distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I search for mine?

Your computer may have both a Wi-Fi address and an Ethernet address if it is connected to both. Only the one for the connection you are actually using matters. You also have a loopback address (127.0.0.1) that your computer uses internally — ignore that one. If you see a public address when searching online, that is separate from your private address and is assigned by your internet provider.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No — they are completely different. Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on a network, while your MAC address is a hardware identifier built into your network card. You need your IP address to connect to the internet or your home network. Your MAC address is used for lower-level network communication and rarely something you need to find.

Can someone hack me if they know my private IP address?

Your private IP address only works inside your home network, so someone outside your home cannot use it to reach you. Your public IP address is visible to websites you visit, but it does not directly expose your computer — your router sits between you and the internet. However, you should still keep both addresses private when possible, just as you would not share your home address with strangers.

What if I cannot find my IP address using these steps?

Make sure you are looking at the right connection — if you are on Wi-Fi, check the Wi-Fi settings, not Ethernet. If you are using a VPN, it may show a different address. Restart your computer and try again. If you still see nothing, your network connection may not be working properly — check that your router is on and that your device is actually connected.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

You do not need to memorize it, but writing it down is useful if you are setting up a printer, configuring remote access, or troubleshooting a network problem. Since your address may change, check it again before you use it for anything important. If you assign a static address, it will stay the same and you can keep a note of it.