What an IP address is and why you need it

An IP address is a number that identifies your computer on your network — like a mailing address for data. It looks like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.5. When you're setting up a home network or troubleshooting why a device won't connect, you'll often need to know your computer's IP address so you can log into your router, check what's connected, or tell someone else how to reach your machine.

Your computer actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address (the one on your home network) and a public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns). For home network setup, you need the local one. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0.

Finding it takes less than a minute and requires no special software — just a few clicks or typed commands depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is the number your router assigns to your computer and is what you need for home network tasks.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status, and scroll down to find your IPv4 address.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address field.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see your IP address when ready.
  • Write down your IP address or take a screenshot so you have it when you need it for router login or device troubleshooting.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Network & Internet in the left menu. On the right side, click Status.

Scroll down until you see a section labeled IP settings. Under that, you'll see IPv4 address followed by a number like 192.168.1.100. That's your local IP address. If you need to reference it later, take a screenshot or write it down.

If you don't see IP settings on the Status page, make sure you're connected to your network — either by Wi-Fi or ethernet cable. If you're still not seeing it, try clicking Advanced network settings at the bottom of the Status page, then look for More network adapter options, right-click your connection, and select Status.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar. On the right, select the connection you're using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected.

Once you've selected your connection, look for a button or link that says Advanced or Details. Click it. You'll see your IP Address listed in the window that opens — it will be a number like 192.168.1.50. Write it down or take a screenshot.

If you don't see an Advanced button, your IP address may already be visible on the main Network screen. Look for any field labeled "IP Address" or "IPv4 Address".

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The exact way to do this depends on your Linux distribution, but usually you can right-click on the desktop and select Open Terminal, or press Ctrl+Alt+T.

Type the following command and press Enter: hostname -I. Your terminal will display your local IP address when ready. If you see multiple numbers, the first one is usually your primary local IP address.

If hostname -I doesn't work, try ip addr show instead. Look for a line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6") and contains a number like 192.168.1.75. That's your IP address.

What to do once you have your IP address

Now that you know your computer's IP address, you can use it for several home network tasks. If you need to log into your router to change Wi-Fi settings or see what devices are connected, you'll enter your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser, not your computer's address — but knowing your computer's address helps you understand your network layout.

You might also need your computer's IP address if you're setting up port forwarding, accessing your computer remotely from another device on the network, or troubleshooting why a specific device can't reach your machine. Some people also write it down and keep it in a safe place in case they need to troubleshoot network problems later.

Why your IP address might change

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using something called DHCP. This means your computer's local IP address can change if you restart your router, disconnect and reconnect to the network, or if your router's settings change. Usually it stays the same for weeks or months, but it's not permanent.

If you need your computer to always have the same IP address — for example, if you're setting up a home server or a device that other computers need to find reliably — you can set a static IP address in your router settings. That's a more advanced step, but it prevents the address from changing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your local IP address (like 192.168.1.5) is only used on your home network. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you browse. To find your public IP, search "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Can I find someone else's computer IP address on my network?

Yes. Log into your router by typing its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser, then look for a page labeled "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients". You'll see a list of every device on your network and its IP address.

What if I see multiple IP addresses when I search for mine?

Your computer may have both an IPv4 address (the standard four-number format) and an IPv6 address (a longer format). For home network setup, use the IPv4 address, which is the one that looks like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x.

Does knowing my local IP address put my computer at risk?

No. Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your home network. It's not exposed to the internet and cannot be used to attack your computer from outside your network. It's safe to share with someone helping you troubleshoot your home network.