How to find your IP address on Windows

On Windows, the fastest way is through the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that number is your system's local IP address on your home network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

If you want to avoid the command line, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then select your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Scroll down to "IP settings" and you'll see your IPv4 address listed there. Both methods show the same number — the command line is just faster once you know where to look.

The ipconfig command also shows your Default Gateway, which is your router's address, and your DNS Servers, which handle translating website names into addresses. These details matter if you're troubleshooting network problems or setting up devices to talk to each other.

How to find your IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), then click Network. Select your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your IP address appears in the window. It's labeled as "IPv4 Address" and looks like a series of four numbers separated by periods.

If you prefer the terminal, you can also type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type and find the line starting with "inet" — that's your local IP address. The terminal method shows more detail about your network setup, but the graphical method is simpler if you only need the address itself.

How to find your IP address on Linux

Linux systems typically use the terminal. Open a terminal window and type ip addr show or the older command ifconfig. Both will display your network interfaces and their IP addresses. Look for the section labeled "inet" followed by your IP address — usually something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50.

Different Linux distributions may have graphical network managers, but the terminal commands work the same way across all of them. If you're using a desktop environment like GNOME or KDE, you can also access network settings through the system menu, though the exact path varies by distribution.

Understanding what your IP address means

The address you find is your local IP address — the number your router uses to identify your device on your home network. It's different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you visit them. Your public IP comes from your internet service provider and is shared by all devices on your network.

Local IP addresses always fall into specific ranges. Most home networks use addresses starting with 192.168 or 10.0. These ranges are reserved for private networks and never appear on the public internet. Your router assigns these addresses automatically through a system called DHCP, which means your device's local IP can change if you restart your router or your device reconnects to the network.

If you need your public IP address instead, you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser. That address is what your internet service provider assigned to your home connection, and it's the one that identifies you to the outside world.

When you need to know your system's IP address

You'll need your local IP address if you're setting up a device to connect directly to another device on your network — for example, configuring a printer, accessing a network drive, or troubleshooting why a device can't reach another one. You also need it if you're logging into your router's settings, since the router's address (your Default Gateway) is often derived from your device's IP range.

Knowing your IP address also helps when you're diagnosing network problems. If a device can't connect to the internet, checking whether it has a valid local IP address is one of the first troubleshooting steps. An address starting with 169.254 means your device couldn't reach the DHCP server and assigned itself a temporary address instead — a sign that something is wrong with your connection to the router.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address can change for several reasons. If you restart your router or your device, DHCP may assign a different address from the available pool. If you move your device to a different network, it will get a completely new address. Some routers also have settings that release and renew IP addresses on a schedule.

If you need a device to keep the same IP address — for example, a printer or security camera that other devices need to find — you can set a static IP address in your router's settings. This tells DHCP to always assign the same address to that device. The exact steps vary by router model, but the option is usually in the DHCP or Local Network settings.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your IPv4 address; on Mac, check System Preferences under Network; on Linux, use ip addr show in the terminal.
  • The address you find is your local IP address, used only on your home network and usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0.
  • Your public IP address, which websites see, is different and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in a web browser.
  • Local IP addresses can change when you restart your router or device, but you can set a static address in your router's settings if a device needs to stay the same.
  • Knowing your IP address helps when troubleshooting network problems, setting up printers or cameras, or accessing your router's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my device?

It might. Your router's DHCP server assigns addresses from a pool, and it may give your device a different one after a restart. If you need the same address every time, set a static IP in your router's settings instead of relying on DHCP.

Is my local IP address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your local IP is used only on your home network. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see. They're completely different numbers, and you need the public one if you're trying to access your home network from outside your home.

Why does my IP address start with 169.254?

That means your device couldn't reach your router's DHCP server to get a normal address, so it assigned itself a temporary one instead. Check that your device is connected to the right network and that your router is powered on and working.

Can I change my IP address manually?

Yes, you can set a static IP address in your device's network settings or in your router's DHCP settings. Setting it in the router is usually better because it prevents conflicts if multiple devices try to use the same address.

Do I need to know my IP address to use the internet?

Your device needs an IP address to work on your network, but you don't need to know it for normal browsing. You only need to find it if you're troubleshooting, setting up a device, or accessing your router's settings.