The quickest way to find your IP address

Your device's IP address is a number your router assigns to it so other devices on your network can find it. The fastest way to see it depends on what you're using — Windows, Mac, or Linux — but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.

On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status. Scroll down to "IP settings" and you'll see your IPv4 address listed there. On Mac, open System Settings, click Network on the left, select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, and the IP address appears in the details pane. On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see all your IP addresses at once.

If you need to find the IP address of a different device on your network — like a printer or smart speaker — you'll need to check that device's settings directly, or look at your router's connected devices list.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows shows your IP address in Settings under Network & Internet > Status, in the "IP settings" section.
  • Mac displays your IP address in System Settings under Network, next to your active connection.
  • Linux users can type hostname -I in a terminal to see their device's IP address when ready.
  • Your router's admin page lists all connected devices and their IP addresses if you need to find a different device.
  • The IP address shown in these places is your local address — the one your router uses — not the address the internet sees.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar.

In the Network & Internet section, click on "Status" at the top of the left menu. Scroll down until you see "IP settings." Your IPv4 address will be listed there as a series of four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.50. This is the address your router assigned to your Windows computer.

If you're connected to Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, the process is the same — the IP address appears in the same place regardless of how you're connected.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." In the sidebar on the left, click "Network."

You'll see a list of connection types on the left — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or others depending on what you have. Click whichever one you're currently using. On the right side of the window, you'll see details about that connection. Your IP address is listed there, usually labeled as "IPv4 Address." It will be four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.75.

If you're not sure which connection you're using, look for a green dot next to the connection name — that's the one you're currently connected through.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The keyboard shortcut is usually Ctrl+Alt+T, though this varies by Linux distribution. Once the terminal is open, type the following command and press Enter:

hostname -I

The terminal will display one or more IP addresses. If you see multiple addresses, the first one is usually your primary local IP address. It will look like 192.168.1.100 or similar.

If you want more detailed information about your network connection, you can also type ip addr show and press Enter. This displays more information about each network interface on your system, though the basic hostname -I command is usually all you need.

Finding IP addresses of other devices on your network

If you need to find the IP address of a printer, smart speaker, security camera, or another device connected to your network, the easiest method is to check your router's admin page. Log into your router by opening a web browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — into the address bar.

You'll be asked for a username and password. These are often printed on a sticker on the router itself, or you can check your router's manual. Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Device List," or "DHCP Clients." This page shows every device currently connected to your network and displays each one's IP address.

Alternatively, you can check the device itself. Most smart devices have a settings menu where you can view network information. Printers usually have a network settings page you can access through their control panel or web interface.

Why you might need your IP address

Knowing your device's IP address is useful when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up port forwarding, or connecting to your computer remotely. It's also necessary if you're setting up a static IP address — one that doesn't change — instead of letting your router assign a new one each time your device connects.

The address you see in your device's settings is your local IP address, which only works on your home network. It's different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you browse the internet. Your router handles the translation between the two.

What to do if you can't find your IP address

If you've followed the steps above and don't see an IP address, your device probably isn't connected to the network. Check that you're connected to Wi-Fi or plugged into Ethernet, and that the connection shows as active in your network settings.

If your device shows as connected but you still don't see an IP address, restart your device and try again. Sometimes the connection needs a moment to fully establish. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up — usually about two minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same every time I connect?

Usually not. Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means the address can change each time your device connects or after a certain period of time. If you need the same address every time, you can set a static IP address in your device's network settings, though this requires some additional configuration.

Can someone find me using my IP address?

Your local IP address — the one shown in your device settings — only works on your home network, so it can't be used to find you on the internet. Your public IP address is visible to websites, but it typically shows only your general location (city or region), not your exact address or identity.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses on Linux?

Linux devices often have multiple network interfaces, including loopback addresses used internally by the system. The first address shown by hostname -I is your actual network address. If you're unsure which one to use, that first address is almost always the correct one.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four numbers separated by periods (like 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 addresses use letters and numbers separated by colons (like fe80::1). Most home networks use IPv4, but newer devices may also have IPv6 addresses. Both work on the same network — you can use either one.

How do I find my IP address on a phone or tablet?

On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network you're connected to, and scroll down to see the IP address. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status or Network, depending on your device. The process varies slightly between manufacturers, but the IP address is always in the network or Wi-Fi settings.