Where to find your IP address on Windows

Your computer's IP address is a number your router assigns to identify your device on the network. On Windows, the fastest way to see it is through the Command Prompt. Open the Start menu, type "cmd" and press Enter. When the black window opens, type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one you use to connect. The line that says "IPv4 Address" shows your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105 or 10.0.0.42. This is the address your router uses to send data to your computer.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if you use a cable). Click on your network name, scroll down, and look for "IPv4 address" in the details section.

Where to find your IP address on Mac

On a Mac, open System Preferences and click Network. Your computer will show the network you are currently connected to — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The IP address appears directly in the window next to "IP Address:" and looks the same as on Windows, like 192.168.1.105.

If you want to use the Terminal instead, open Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section that matches your connection type. The line that says "inet" (not "inet6") shows your IPv4 address.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for the "IPv4 Address" line under your connection type.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences > Network and the IP address appears directly in the window, or type ifconfig in Terminal.
  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is used only within your home network, not on the internet.
  • Write down your computer's IP address if you need to set up port forwarding, remote access, or troubleshoot network problems.

Why you might need to know your computer's IP address

Knowing your computer's IP address is useful for several practical reasons. If you are setting up a printer or security camera on your network, you may need to type your computer's IP into a web browser to reach its settings. If you want to access your computer from another device on the network, you will need the IP address.

It also helps when troubleshooting. If your internet is slow or you are having connection problems, your internet provider or a tech support person may ask for your IP address to understand what is happening on your network. Having it written down saves time.

The difference between your local IP and your public IP

The address you find using ipconfig or System Preferences is your local IP address — it only works inside your home network. Your router has a different address, called your public IP address, which the internet uses to find your home. You do not need your public IP for most home network tasks.

If you do need your public IP for some reason, you can find it by opening a web browser and searching "what is my IP address." Several websites will show it to you. Your public IP changes periodically depending on your internet provider, while your local IP can stay the same for months or years.

How to keep your IP address from changing

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using a system called DHCP. Most of the time this works fine, but if you are setting up a device that needs a permanent address — like a security camera or a network printer — you may want to give it a fixed IP instead.

The easiest way is to log into your router's settings. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the sticker on your router). Log in with your router's username and password. Look for a section called "DHCP" or "Reserved IPs" and add your computer's current IP address to the list. From then on, your router will always give that address to that device.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If ipconfig or ifconfig does not show an address, or if you see "No IP address" in System Preferences, your computer is not connected to the network properly. First, check that your Wi-Fi is turned on or your ethernet cable is plugged in. Then restart your computer and try again.

If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait a minute for it to fully restart, then check again. If you still see no IP address, your computer may not be connecting to the network at all — this usually means a problem with your Wi-Fi password, your router settings, or a hardware issue with your network card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different number that identifies your device's network card itself. Your IP address is assigned by your router and can change. You can find your MAC address in the same ipconfig or ifconfig output — it is labeled "Physical Address" on Windows or "HWaddr" on Mac.

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

Your local IP address only works inside your home network, so someone outside your home cannot use it to reach your computer. However, if someone is already on your Wi-Fi network, they could potentially access your computer if you have file sharing turned on. Keep your Wi-Fi password strong and turn off file sharing if you do not need it.

Why do some computers have 169.254 as their IP address?

An address starting with 169.254 means your computer could not reach the router to get a real IP address. This usually happens when your Wi-Fi password is wrong, your router is off, or there is a problem with your network connection. Check your Wi-Fi password and make sure your router is powered on and working.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

You do not need to memorize it, but writing it down is helpful if you are setting up a device that needs it, or if you are troubleshooting a problem. You can always look it up again using the same steps whenever you need it.