The quickest way to find your IP address depends on what device you're using

Your computer has an IP address right now — it's the number your router uses to send data to the right machine on your network. Finding it takes less than a minute on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and you'll need it if you ever want to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer on your network, or understand what's happening when something isn't working.

The steps are different for each operating system, but they all get you to the same place: a string of numbers separated by periods, usually something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.12. That's your local IP address — the one your router knows you by inside your home network.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line that says "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users open System Preferences, go to Network, select their connection, and read the IP address shown in the window.
  • Your local IP address (the one inside your home network) starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is different from your public IP address (what the internet sees).
  • If you need your public IP address instead, you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type cmd into the search box. Click on "Command Prompt" when it appears. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. You'll see a list of information about your network connections. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one you're actually using to connect to the internet. In that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your local IP address.

Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to keep it. You can close the Command Prompt window after that.

Finding your IP address on Mac

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

On the left side, you'll see a list of connection types. Click on whichever one you're using — usually "Wi-Fi" if you're wireless, or "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable. On the right side of the window, you'll see your IP address listed directly. It's labeled "IPv4 Address".

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear on the next line.

If that doesn't work, try ip addr show instead. You'll see more detailed information, but your IP address will be the number next to "inet" in the section for your active connection (usually labeled eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi).

The difference between local and public IP addresses

The address you just found is your local IP address — the number your router uses to identify your computer inside your home network. It always starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. This address only works inside your network. If you're on a video call with someone, they don't see this number.

Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you connect to a website or send an email. It's assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP". The first result will show you the public address.

You need the local address when you're setting up devices on your own network — like telling your printer where to find your computer. You need the public address if you're trying to understand what information websites can see about you, or if you're troubleshooting a connection issue with your internet provider.

Why you might need to know your IP address

The most common reason is printer setup. Many network printers ask for your computer's IP address so they know where to send print jobs. If your printer keeps saying it can't find your computer, typing in the IP address manually often fixes it.

You might also need it for remote access — if you want to control your computer from somewhere else, or let someone else access a file on your machine, you'll usually need to give them your IP address. Network troubleshooting is another reason: if your internet is slow or unstable, your internet service provider might ask for your IP address to see what's happening on their end.

Some people check their IP address as a basic security habit — if you see an unfamiliar device on your network list, knowing how to find IP addresses helps you figure out what it is and whether it should be there.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your local IP address can change if you restart your router or if your router's settings are set to assign addresses automatically (called DHCP). If you need the same address every time — for example, because you're setting up a printer — you can ask your router to assign a static IP address to your computer.

This is done in your router's settings, which you access by typing your router's IP address into a web browser (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the sticker on your router). Look for a section called "DHCP" or "Local Network" and find the option to reserve an address for your computer's name or MAC address. The exact steps vary by router brand, so if you're stuck, searching "[your router brand] static IP" will show you the specific steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address private information I should hide?

Your local IP address (192.168.x.x) is only visible inside your home network, so there's nothing to hide. Your public IP address is visible to websites you visit, but it only tells them your general location and internet provider — not your name or address. It's less sensitive than your email or phone number, though you might still want to avoid sharing it publicly.

Can someone hack me if they know my IP address?

Knowing your IP address alone doesn't let someone hack you. They would also need to find an open port on your computer and exploit a specific vulnerability. If you're using a router (which most people are), it acts as a firewall and blocks most incoming connection attempts automatically. Your operating system's built-in firewall adds another layer.

Why does my IP address look different when I search for it online?

The address you find with ipconfig or System Preferences is your local IP address — what your router calls you. When you search "what is my IP" in a browser, you're seeing your public IP address — what the internet sees. They're different by design: your local address is for your home network, your public address is for the wider internet.

What if I can't find the IPv4 Address line in Command Prompt?

Make sure you're looking at the right connection. If you're using Wi-Fi, scroll down to the "Wireless LAN adapter" section. If you're plugged in with a cable, look for "Ethernet adapter". If you still don't see it, your computer might not be connected to the network — check that your Wi-Fi is on or your cable is plugged in, then run ipconfig again.

Do I need to remember my IP address or write it down?

You only need to write it down if you're setting up a device (like a printer) that asks for it, or if you're troubleshooting with your internet provider. For most daily use, you don't need to remember it. You can always find it again in under a minute using the steps above.