Finding your IP address takes two minutes and requires no special tools

Your computer's IP address is a number your router assigns to identify it on your home network. You may need it to troubleshoot connection problems, set up a printer, access files remotely, or configure network devices. The steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but all are straightforward and use tools already built into your system.

The fastest method on any system is to check your router's connected devices list — it shows every device and its IP address in one place. If you prefer to check directly on the computer itself, each operating system has a command-line tool that displays the information in seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see their IP address listed as "IPv4 Address" under their network adapter.
  • Mac users open Terminal and type ifconfig to find the IP address listed as "inet" under their active network connection.
  • Linux users open a terminal and type ip addr or ifconfig to display all network interfaces and their assigned IP addresses.
  • Your router's admin page shows every connected device and its IP address, which is often the fastest way to find the information without opening each computer.
  • The IP address shown on your computer is your local address on your home network, not the address the outside internet sees.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search box. Click the Command Prompt app to open it. At the prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Your computer will display a list of network adapters and their settings.

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 using Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it (something like 192.168.1.50) is your local IP address. You can close Command Prompt after you have written it down.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Open Spotlight search by pressing Command + Space, type "Terminal", and press Enter. In the Terminal window, type ifconfig and press Enter. Your Mac will display information about all network interfaces.

Find the section for your active connection — usually "en0" for Ethernet or "en1" for Wi-Fi. Look for the line that starts with "inet" followed by a number. That number is your IP address. If you see multiple "inet" lines, the one without "inet6" is your IPv4 address. Close Terminal when you are done.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window — the method varies by desktop environment, but you can usually right-click the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or search your applications menu. Type ip addr and press Enter. Your system will show all network interfaces with their IP addresses.

Look for the interface you are using — "eth0" or "enp0s3" for Ethernet, or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi. Under that interface, find the line starting with "inet" followed by a number and a forward slash. The number before the slash is your IP address. If ip addr does not work on your system, try ifconfig instead.

Checking your router's device list instead

Your router keeps a list of every device connected to it, along with each device's IP address. This method is faster if you need to find the IP addresses of multiple devices at once. Open a web browser on any connected computer and type your router's IP address into the address bar — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, though some routers use different addresses.

You will be asked to log in. Use the username and password printed on the back or bottom of your router. Once logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "Device List", "DHCP Clients", or "Attached Devices" — the exact name depends on your router brand. The list will show the name of each device and its IP address. If you do not know your router's address, check the back of the device or your internet bill.

Understanding what the IP address means

The IP address you find on your computer is your local IP address — the number your router uses to identify your device within your home network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0, and it changes only if your router reassigns it or you manually set a static address. This is different from your public IP address, which is the address the outside internet sees when you browse websites or send email.

You need your local IP address to access your computer from another device on the same network, to set up port forwarding, or to configure network printers and cameras. You would need your public IP address only if you were setting up remote access from outside your home network. Your internet service provider assigns your public IP address, and you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the commands above do not show an IP address, your computer may not be connected to the network. Check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in or that you are connected to your Wi-Fi network — look for the network icon in your system tray and confirm the connection is active. If you are connected but still see no IP address, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart.

If restarting the router does not work, check your router's device list as described above to see if your computer appears there. If it does not appear, your computer may have a network driver problem. If it does appear, your computer has an IP address but the command-line tool is not displaying it correctly — try the alternative command for your operating system or check your router's list instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using a system called DHCP, which can reassign addresses when devices reconnect or after a set time period. If you need a device to keep the same IP address, you can set a static IP address in your network settings or reserve an address in your router's DHCP settings.

Is my local IP address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your local IP address is what your router uses to identify your device at home. Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees. You can find your public IP by searching "what is my IP" in a web browser — it will be a different number than your local address.

Can I change my computer's IP address?

Yes. You can either set a static IP address in your network settings or reserve an address in your router's DHCP settings. Most people do not need to change it unless they are setting up a server or network device that needs a permanent address.

What if I forgot my router's login password?

Most routers have a reset button you can hold for 10 seconds to restore factory settings, which resets the password to the default printed on the device. This will erase any custom settings you made, so check the router's manual first or contact your internet provider for help.