The quickest way to find a website's IP address

The simplest method is to use your computer's built-in command line tool. On Windows, open Command Prompt (search "cmd" in the Start menu), type nslookup example.com (replacing example.com with the actual website), and press Enter. The tool will display the IP address in seconds. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type dig example.com or nslookup example.com — the result appears in the same format.

If you prefer not to use the command line, several free websites do this lookup for you. Search "IP lookup tool" or "DNS lookup" in any search engine, paste the website address into the search box, and the tool returns the IP address when ready. These sites work from any device — phone, tablet, or computer — without installing anything.

Both methods work because they query the DNS system that translates website names into IP addresses. The answer you get is the same either way; the command line is just faster if you do this often.

Key Takeaways

  • Use nslookup on Windows or dig on Mac and Linux to find a website's IP address from your computer's command line in seconds.
  • Free online lookup tools let you find IP addresses from any device without opening the command line.
  • A website may have multiple IP addresses if it uses a content delivery network or load balancer to serve traffic from different locations.
  • Finding a website's IP address is public information and does not require permission or special tools.

Why websites have IP addresses and what they tell you

Every website lives on a server — a computer connected to the internet — and that server has an IP address. When you type a website name into your browser, your computer asks the DNS system "What IP address belongs to this name?" The DNS system answers, your browser connects to that IP address, and the website loads. The IP address is the actual location your traffic travels to.

Knowing a website's IP address can tell you which data center hosts it, whether multiple websites share the same server, or whether a website has moved to a new host. It does not tell you who owns the website or where the company is located — that information comes from WHOIS records, which are separate. An IP address is just the server's street address on the internet.

Using nslookup on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Alternatively, search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu and click it.

At the command prompt, type nslookup google.com (or any website you want to look up) and press Enter. The tool returns output that looks like this:

Server: 8.8.8.8 Address: 8.8.8.8#53 Non-authoritative answer: Name: google.com Address: 142.250.185.46

The "Address" line under "Non-authoritative answer" is the IP address you are looking for. In this example, google.com resolves to 142.250.185.46. You can close Command Prompt after you have the address.

Using dig or nslookup on Mac and Linux

Open Terminal (on Mac, search for "Terminal" in Spotlight; on Linux, right-click the desktop or open your applications menu). Type dig example.com and press Enter. The output shows the IP address in the "ANSWER SECTION" — look for the line with the website name and a series of numbers at the end. That number is the IP address.

If dig is not installed on your system, use nslookup example.com instead — it works the same way as Windows and shows the address in the same format. Both commands are free and built into the operating system, so there is nothing to read.

What to do when a website has multiple IP addresses

Some websites return more than one IP address when you run a lookup. This usually means the website uses a content delivery network (CDN) or a load balancer — systems that spread traffic across multiple servers in different locations. When you visit the website, your browser connects to whichever server is closest to you or least busy at that moment.

If you see multiple addresses, all of them are correct. You do not need to do anything with this information — your browser automatically picks the right one. The multiple addresses exist to make the website faster and more reliable, not because something is wrong.

Free online tools that do the lookup for you

If you do not want to use the command line, search for "IP lookup" or "DNS lookup tool" and you will find dozens of free websites that do this work. Popular options include MXToolbox, WhatIsMyIPAddress, and DNSChecker. Each one works the same way: paste the website address into a text box, click a button, and the tool displays the IP address.

These tools are useful when you are on a phone or tablet, or when you do not have access to a command line. They also often show additional information like the server location, the hosting company, and whether the address is currently active. The information is the same as what nslookup or dig returns — the tool just presents it in a friendlier format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find the IP address of a website that is blocked or down?

Yes. The IP address is stored in the DNS system regardless of whether the website is currently online. If the website is down, the lookup still returns an address — it just means the server at that address is not responding. This can help you confirm whether the website has moved to a new server or if the server itself is offline.

Does finding a website's IP address tell me who owns it?

No. The IP address only tells you where the server is located and which hosting company owns it. To find out who owns the website, you need to check WHOIS records, which are separate from IP lookups. WHOIS records contain registration information, though many registrars let owners hide this data.

Why do I get a different IP address each time I look up the same website?

Websites using load balancers or CDNs often return different addresses depending on your location or the time of the lookup. This is normal and intentional — it means the website is directing you to the server closest to you. If you always get the same address, the website is probably hosted on a single server or a small cluster.

Is it illegal to look up a website's IP address?

No. IP addresses are public information. Looking up an IP address is the same as reading a street address from a phone book — it is openly available and requires no permission. Your browser does this automatically every time you visit a website.