The quickest way to find your IP address depends on your operating system

Your computer's IP address is printed on your screen in seconds — you just need to know where to look. Windows, Mac, and Linux each show it in a different place, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them. You'll need this number if your router isn't connecting a device, if you're troubleshooting a network problem, or if you want to set up a static IP so your computer always gets the same address.

The address you find will be one of two types: a local IP address that only works inside your home network (usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0), or a public IP address that identifies your entire home network to the internet. Most of the time you'll want the local one, but both are straightforward to find.

Key Takeaways

  • In Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your local IP address in seconds.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address field.
  • In Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see your local IP address when ready.
  • Your local IP address (192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) is what you need for most home network problems; your public IP is what the internet sees.
  • If you need your public IP, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or type curl ifconfig.me in a terminal.

Finding your IP address in Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app that appears. Once Settings opens, click Network & Internet on the left side of the window.

Click Status at the top of the list. Scroll down until you see a section called "IP settings" — your local IP address appears right there next to "IPv4 address". It will look something like 192.168.1.105 or 10.0.0.50. This is the address your router assigned to your computer.

If you need more detail, click Advanced network settings at the bottom of the Status page, then click More network adapter options. Right-click the network connection you're using (usually called "Ethernet" or your Wi-Fi network name) and select Status. Click Details and you'll see the same IP address plus additional information like your gateway and DNS servers.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Network in the sidebar.

You'll see a list of connections on the left — click the one you're currently using, whether that's Wi-Fi or Ethernet. On the right side of the window, your local IP address appears next to "IP Address". It will look like 192.168.1.110 or similar. If you're connected by Wi-Fi, the connection name appears at the top; if you're using Ethernet, it says "Ethernet" instead.

For more information, click Advanced at the bottom right. The TCP/IP tab shows your IP address, subnet mask, router address (gateway), and DNS servers all in one place.

Finding your IP address in Linux

Open a terminal window — on most Linux systems, right-click the desktop and select "Open Terminal", or press Ctrl+Alt+T. Type the following command and press Enter:

hostname -I

Your local IP address appears when ready. If you're connected to Wi-Fi, you might see multiple addresses; the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0 is your local address on the home network.

For more detail, type ip addr show and press Enter. This shows every network connection on your computer, including Wi-Fi and Ethernet, along with their IP addresses and other settings. Look for the connection you're actually using and find the line that starts with "inet" — the address after that word is your local IP.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you found (192.168.x.x, 10.0.x.x, or 172.16.x.x) is your local IP address. It only works inside your home network. Your router uses it to send data to your computer, and your computer uses it to talk to other devices on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This is the address you need when you're setting up a printer, connecting a smart home device, or troubleshooting why something isn't working on your network.

Your public IP address is different — it's assigned to your router by your internet service provider, and it's what websites see when you visit them. If you need to know your public IP, visit whatismyipaddress.com in your browser, or open a terminal and type curl ifconfig.me (on Mac or Linux) or curl icanhazip.com (on Windows PowerShell). Your public IP changes periodically unless you pay for a static one from your provider.

When you need your IP address and what to do with it

You need your local IP address most often when a device won't connect to your network or when you're setting up something new. If a printer, camera, or smart speaker isn't showing up, you can type your computer's IP address into your browser to access your router's settings and see what's connected. You also need it if you want to set a static IP — an address that stays the same instead of changing every time your computer restarts.

If you're troubleshooting a slow connection or a device that keeps dropping off the network, write down your IP address and your gateway address (the router's address, which you can find in the same place you found your IP). These numbers help you or a technician understand what's happening on your network.

Your public IP address matters less often, but you might need it if you're setting up remote access to your computer, opening ports on your router, or reporting a problem to your internet provider. Most of the time, though, your local IP is what you're looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means a device might get a different address each time it connects. If you need the same address every time, you can set a static IP in your router's settings or in your computer's network settings. This is useful for printers and servers that other devices need to find reliably.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No — they're completely different. Your MAC address is a hardware identifier that only works on your local network, while your IP address is what devices use to actually send data to you. You can find your MAC address in the same network settings where you found your IP address, usually listed as "Physical Address" or "HW Address".

Can someone hack me if they know my IP address?

Knowing your local IP address doesn't give someone access to your computer — they'd need to be on your home network already. Your public IP is visible to every website you visit, but it only identifies your router, not your specific computer. Your router's firewall blocks incoming connections by default, so a public IP alone isn't a security risk.

What if I see multiple IP addresses on my computer?

You might have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connected at the same time, or you might be running virtual machines. Each connection gets its own IP address. Use the one that matches the connection you're actually using — if you're on Wi-Fi, use the Wi-Fi address; if you're plugged in with Ethernet, use that one instead.