Where to find your IP address on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Your IP address is a number assigned to your device so other computers on your network can find it. You may need to look it up to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer, or configure your router. The steps differ slightly depending on what device you are using, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Start menu and type "cmd" to open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that number (usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) is your local IP address. The same window also shows your gateway address, which is usually your router.

On Mac, open System Settings, click Network on the left side, then click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected. Your IP address appears next to "IP Address" in the window that opens. If you are using an older Mac with System Preferences instead of System Settings, the steps are the same but the menu names may differ slightly.

On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr show and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear in the output. The exact format depends on your Linux distribution, but the number you are looking for is still the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is the number your router assigns to your device and is usually found in the 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x range.
  • On Windows, use Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, select Network, and click your connection type to view your IP address.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to display your IP address.
  • Your public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns) is different from your local IP address and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on phones and tablets

Mobile devices store their IP address in the Wi-Fi settings rather than in a command-line tool. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the network name you are connected to. Your IP address appears under "IP Address" in the window that opens.

On Android, open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Long-press or tap the network name you are connected to, then select "Manage" or "View Details" depending on your phone model. Your IP address will be listed on the screen that appears. Some Android phones also allow you to tap "Advanced" to see additional network information.

If you are using a mobile hotspot or tethered connection instead of Wi-Fi, the steps are the same — the device will show the IP address assigned to it by your router or the device providing the hotspot.

The difference between your local IP and public IP

The IP address you find on your device is your local IP address — the number your router uses to identify your device on your home network. This number stays the same as long as your device is connected to the same router, though it can change if you disconnect and reconnect or if your router restarts.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is the address that websites and other computers outside your home network see. To find your public IP address, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" — the first result will show your public address. This number changes less often than your local IP, usually only when you restart your modem or after several days of being offline.

You need your local IP address to troubleshoot devices on your home network, set up port forwarding, or connect to a printer. You need your public IP address if you are trying to access your home network from outside the house or if you are troubleshooting an internet connection problem with your service provider.

Why you might need to look up your IP address

The most common reason to look up your IP address is to set up a new device on your network. If you are installing a printer, security camera, or smart home device, you may need to enter the IP address of your computer or phone into the device's setup page. Knowing your IP address also helps you find your router's setup page — you usually type your router's IP address (the gateway address shown in ipconfig) into a web browser to change your Wi-Fi password or other settings.

Another reason is to troubleshoot a connection problem. If a device is not connecting to your network or is connecting very slowly, your internet service provider or a tech support person may ask for your IP address to help diagnose the issue. Knowing how to find it quickly saves time during troubleshooting.

If you are setting up remote access to your home network or using a service that requires you to whitelist certain IP addresses, you will also need to know your local IP address. Some people also look up their IP address out of curiosity to understand how their home network is organized.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts, if you disconnect and reconnect to Wi-Fi, or if your router's DHCP lease expires. DHCP is the system your router uses to hand out IP addresses automatically. If your device keeps getting a different IP address each time it connects, this is usually not a problem — most home networks are set up this way.

However, if you need your device to have the same IP address every time (for example, if you are setting up port forwarding or a security camera), you can assign a static IP address. This is done in your router's settings, not on the device itself. You log into your router using its IP address, find the DHCP or Local Network settings, and tell it to always give a specific device the same IP address. The exact steps depend on your router model, but most router manuals explain this in their setup guide.

If you do not need a static IP address, there is no reason to change anything. Letting your router assign addresses automatically is simpler and works fine for most home networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my Wi-Fi password?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on the network. Your Wi-Fi password is what you type to connect to the network in the first place. They are completely separate. Knowing someone's IP address does not let them connect to your Wi-Fi — they still need the password.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address can be changed by your router or by assigning a static IP address in your router settings. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and usually changes only when your modem restarts or after a long period offline. You cannot easily change your public IP address unless your service provider offers a static IP as a paid service.

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?

The 192.168.x.x range is reserved for private home and office networks. Your router automatically assigns addresses in this range to devices on your network. Other common ranges are 10.0.x.x and 172.16.x.x. These ranges are never used on the public internet, which is why your local IP address is different from your public IP address.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

You do not need to write it down unless you are setting up a static IP address or configuring something that requires it. Since you can look it up in seconds whenever you need it, most people just find it when they need it rather than keeping a record.

What if I cannot find my IP address using these steps?

Make sure you are connected to your network — if you are offline, you will not have a local IP address. If you are connected and the steps above do not work, try restarting your device and your router, then look again. If you still cannot find it, your device may not be connecting to the network properly, and you may need to forget the network and reconnect to it.