How to find your device's IP address

Your IP address is a number assigned to your device so other computers on your network can find it. You may need to locate it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer, or log into your router. The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or a mobile device, but the address itself is always visible in your network settings.

Every device connected to your home network has two addresses: a local IP address (used only inside your home) and a public IP address (used on the internet). When you need to fix something at home, you are looking for the local address. Your internet service provider assigns the public one, and you rarely need to find it yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your device's network settings and usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.
  • Windows users can find it by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users open System Preferences, select Network, and the address appears next to "IP Address".
  • On phones and tablets, the address is in Settings under Wi-Fi or Network, next to your connected network name.
  • Your public IP address can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type cmd or command prompt. Click the Command Prompt process. At the prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network information will appear on your screen.

Look for the section labeled with your network adapter name (usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi). Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.105. That is your local IP address. Write it down if you need it for setup or troubleshooting.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, find the one that shows "Connected" or has an IPv4 address. Disconnected adapters will show no address or say "Media disconnected".

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Click Network. On the left side, select the network you are connected to — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Your local IP address appears on the right side of the window, labeled "IP Address". It will look like 192.168.1.50 or similar. If you do not see an address, make sure you have selected the correct network connection on the left side and that it shows "Connected" status.

Finding your IP address on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you are currently connected to (it will have a checkmark next to it). Tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the network name. Your local IP address appears under "IP Address".

If you are using cellular data instead of Wi-Fi, the process is different. Go to Settings, tap Cellular or Mobile Data, then General, then About. Scroll down to find "IP Address" — but note that this is your public IP address, not your local one, since cellular data comes from your carrier's network rather than your home network.

Finding your IP address on Android

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Select the network you are connected to (or press and hold it if you do not see an option to open it). Tap "Manage" or the gear icon. Your local IP address appears under "IP Address" or "IPv4 Address".

On some Android phones, the path is slightly different: Settings, then Network and Internet, then Wi-Fi, then the connected network name. The address location is the same. If you cannot find it in these places, search your phone's Settings for "IP address" — the search function will take you directly to it.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is the one your internet service provider assigns to your home network. It is visible to websites you visit and to other people on the internet. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will show your public address.

You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which display your public IP address when ready. These sites also show your approximate location (based on the address) and your internet service provider's name. Your public address changes periodically — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly — depending on your provider's settings.

What to do once you have your IP address

If you are setting up a printer or other device on your home network, you may need to enter the device's local IP address into your web browser to access its settings. Type the address into the address bar (for example, 192.168.1.100) and press Enter. This opens the device's control panel.

If you are troubleshooting a connection problem, your local IP address helps you identify which device is having the issue. You can also use it to check your router's settings — most routers use an address like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 as their own address, which you enter in a browser to log in and adjust your network.

If a website or service asks for your IP address for security reasons, they almost always mean your public address, not your local one. Your local address is only useful inside your home network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have more than one IP address?

Your device has a local IP address (used only at home) and a public IP address (used on the internet). You may also see addresses for different network adapters if your device can connect by both Wi-Fi and Ethernet cable. Only one is active at a time — the one for the network you are currently using.

Does my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your device is offline for a long time. Your public IP address changes periodically — sometimes weekly or monthly — based on your internet service provider's settings. You cannot control when it changes.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it is not a security risk. Your local IP address should not be shared with people outside your home, since it could help someone access your home network if they were already connected to it. Never share either address with someone claiming to be tech support unless you initiated the contact.

What if I cannot find my IP address in network settings?

Make sure your device is actually connected to the network — look for a Wi-Fi symbol or Ethernet indicator. If it shows connected but no address appears, try disconnecting and reconnecting to the network. If the problem continues, restart your device and your router, then check again.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and can be changed through the router's settings, but this is rarely necessary. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and cannot be changed by you — it changes on its own schedule. If you need a different public address for privacy reasons, you would need to use a VPN service.