Your IP address is the number your device uses to talk to other devices on your network and the internet

An IP address is a unique number assigned to your device — like your computer, phone, or printer — that lets other devices find and communicate with it. Every device on your home network has one. You may need to know yours to troubleshoot connection problems, set up port forwarding, or configure security settings on your router.

Your device actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address (the one your router assigns, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) and a public IP address (the one the internet sees, assigned by your internet service provider). This guide covers finding both.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is what your router uses to identify your device on your home network, and you find it through your device's network settings.
  • Windows users can open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see their local IP address in seconds.
  • Mac and Linux users open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to find the same information.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) appears on websites like whatismyipaddress.com or by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • If you need to find a device's IP address on your network, log into your router's admin panel and check the connected devices list.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection — that is your local IP address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi (or Ethernet), click your connected network, scroll down, and look for "IPv4 address" in the DNS settings section.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions), click Network, select your active connection (WiFi or Ethernet), and click Advanced. Your local IP address appears under the TCP/IP tab labeled "IPv4 Address."

If you want to use Terminal instead, open Applications > Utilities > Terminal, type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the line that says "inet" followed by a number — that is your local IP address. You will see multiple entries if you have both WiFi and Ethernet; look under the one marked "en0" or "en1" for your active connection.

Finding your local IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window and type ip addr or ifconfig (depending on your distribution), then press Enter. Look for the line starting with "inet" under your active network interface — that is your local IP address. It usually appears as a number like 192.168.1.100.

If you only want to see your IP address without other network details, type hostname -I and press Enter for a simpler output.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The page will display your public IP address when ready.

You can also find your public IP address by logging into your router's admin panel. Open a browser, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar, log in with your router's username and password, and look for a section labeled "WAN IP," "Internet," or "Status." This shows your public IP address as assigned by your internet service provider.

Finding another device's IP address on your network

If you need to find the IP address of another device on your home network — like a printer, smart TV, or another computer — log into your router's admin panel. Open a browser, type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1), and log in. Look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Device List," or "DHCP Clients." This page shows every device currently connected to your network and its local IP address.

The device list is useful when you need to set up port forwarding, restrict a device's access, or troubleshoot why a device is not connecting. Write down the IP address of the device you need to configure.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the methods above do not show your IP address, check that your device is actually connected to the network. Look for a WiFi icon or Ethernet connection indicator in your system tray or menu bar. If you are not connected, connect to your network first, then try the steps again.

If you are connected but still do not see an IP address, restart your device and your router. Turn off your device, unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart (usually two to three minutes). Then restart your device and check again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is only used within your home network. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what the internet sees. Devices outside your network cannot reach your local IP address directly — they use your public IP address and your router forwards the traffic.

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your device or router, or your router's DHCP lease expires (typically after several days or weeks). Your public IP address can change when your router restarts or when your internet service provider reassigns it, which may happen monthly or yearly depending on your provider.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is safe — it only works within your home network. Sharing your public IP address is generally safe for basic purposes, but avoid posting it publicly online. Someone with your public IP address alone cannot access your devices without knowing passwords or exploiting specific vulnerabilities.

What if I forgot my router's password?

Most routers have a reset button on the back. Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds to restore factory settings, which resets the password to the default (usually printed on a sticker on the router). You will need to set up your network again after resetting.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP address by logging into your router and manually assigning a static IP to your device, or by restarting your router to force it to assign a new one. Your public IP address is controlled by your internet service provider — you cannot change it directly, though restarting your modem may cause your provider to assign a new one.