Where to find your IP address depends on your operating system

Your system has an IP address right now — it is the number your router uses to send data to your device and back. You may need it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer on your network, or log into your router's settings. The steps differ between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but each takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

The address you see will be either a local IP address (the one your router assigned, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) or your public IP address (the one the internet sees). Most of the time you need the local one — that is what connects you to devices in your home.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP address next to "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and read the IP address shown in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to display your local IP address.
  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is what you use to reach devices on your home network.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, search "what is my IP" in any browser — that is 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 when it appears. A black window will open with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will fill with network information. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — usually "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple adapters listed, you only need the one you are actually using right now. If you are unsure which one, look for the adapter that has a number next to "IPv4 Address" — the others may show zeros or be blank.

Finding your IP address on Mac

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

On the left side of the window, you will see a list of connections. Click the one you are using — Wi-Fi if you are wireless, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. On the right side, you will see connection details. Look for the line labeled IP Address. The number shown there is your local IP address.

If you do not see an IP address listed, your connection may not be active. Check that Wi-Fi is turned on or that your cable is plugged in, then open Network settings again.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. On most Linux systems, you can right-click the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T. A text window will open.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line. If that command does not work, try ip addr instead. This will show more detail — look for the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6") under your active connection. The IP address is the number that comes right after "inet".

On some systems you may see multiple addresses listed. The one you need is usually the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0, not 127.0.0.1 (that is your computer talking to itself).

What to do once you have your IP address

Now that you have the number, you can use it to reach your device from elsewhere on your network. If you are setting up a printer, you may enter this IP address into your printer's settings to tell it where to send documents. If you are troubleshooting a connection, you can give this number to your internet provider or router manufacturer so they can see what your device is doing on the network.

You can also use your IP address to log into your router's control panel. Open a web browser, type your IP address into the address bar (for example, 192.168.1.1), and press Enter. This takes you to your router's settings page, where you can change your Wi-Fi password, restart the router, or see which devices are connected. You will need your router's admin password, which is usually on a sticker on the back of the router itself.

Finding your public IP address instead

Your local IP address is what your router uses inside your home. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you visit a website or send an email — it is assigned by your internet provider and changes periodically.

If you need your public IP address, open any web browser and search for what is my IP. The first result will show your public address. You can also visit sites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io to see both your public IP and information about your location and provider.

You rarely need your public IP address for home network tasks. It becomes useful if you are trying to connect to your home computer from outside your home, or if you are troubleshooting why a website is blocking you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ip addr?

Your computer may have multiple network adapters — one for Wi-Fi, one for Ethernet, one for virtual connections. You only need the address from the adapter you are actually using right now. If you are on Wi-Fi, look under the wireless adapter. If you are plugged in, look under Ethernet.

Does my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same for weeks or months, but your router can reassign it if you restart or if your device has been offline for a long time. Your public IP address changes less often — usually only when you restart your modem or after several weeks of being offline. If you need an address to stay the same, you can assign a static IP in your router settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your local IP address is only useful inside your home network, so sharing it is not a security risk. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it is also not secret — but do not share it with someone you do not trust, as it can be used to locate your general area.

What if my device shows 169.254 as the IP address?

That means your device is not connected to the network properly. Check that your Wi-Fi is on and you are connected to the right network, or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in firmly. Restart your device and try again.