Your IP address is a number your router assigns to identify your computer on the network

Every device connected to your home network has an IP address — a unique number that lets your router and other devices find it. On most home networks, this address looks like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50. You need to know your computer's IP address when you're setting up network security, connecting devices, troubleshooting connection problems, or accessing your computer remotely.

The method to find it depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. Each operating system stores this information in a different place, but all three show it in under a minute using built-in tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer's IP address is assigned by your router and appears in network settings or command-line tools on your device.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your IPv4 address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for "IP Address" in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to display your IP address.
  • The address you see is your local IP (used only inside your home network), not your public IP (used on the internet).

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" depending on how you're connected. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it — something like 192.168.1.105 — is your computer's IP address on your home network.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it in Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi (or Ethernet if you're wired). Click the network you're connected to, scroll down, and look for "IPv4 address" in the details.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the left sidebar. Select the connection you're using — either "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" — and the details pane on the right shows your IP address next to "IP Address".

If you want to use the terminal instead, press Command + Space, type terminal, and press Enter. In the terminal window, type ifconfig | grep inet and press Enter. You'll see several IP addresses listed. The one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 is your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window (usually Ctrl + Alt + T on most Linux distributions). Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your IP address appears on the next line.

If that doesn't work, type ip addr and press Enter. You'll see more detailed information. Look for the section labeled "inet" under your active connection — the number next to it is your IP address. Ignore any address that starts with 127.0 (that's your computer talking to itself) and any that start with ::1 (that's the IPv6 version).

Understanding local IP versus public IP

The address you find using these methods is your local IP address — the number your router uses to identify your computer inside your home network. This address never leaves your home. It's what you use when you're setting up network security rules, connecting a printer, or accessing another device on your WiFi.

Your public IP address is different. It's assigned by your internet service provider and identifies your entire home network to the outside internet. Websites see your public IP, not your local IP. If you need your public IP for something like port forwarding or remote access, you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Why your IP address might change

Most home routers assign IP addresses using DHCP, which means your computer's local IP can change when you restart your router or after a certain amount of time passes. If you're setting up network security rules or port forwarding, you may want to assign your computer a static IP address — one that stays the same.

To do this on Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, click your network, then click "Edit" next to "IP assignment". Change it from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual" and enter the IP address you want to keep. On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, click your connection, then click "Details" and set a static IP in the TCP/IP tab. On Linux, edit your network configuration file (usually in /etc/netplan/ or /etc/network/interfaces depending on your distribution).

Using your IP address for network tasks

Once you know your computer's IP address, you can use it to access your computer from another device on the same network. For example, if you want to transfer files between computers, you can type the IP address into a file manager or network tool on another device to connect directly.

You'll also need your IP address if you're setting up port forwarding on your router to allow outside access to a service running on your computer, or if you're configuring network security rules that explore to specific devices. Some people also use their computer's IP address to set up a static hostname so they can refer to it by name instead of remembering the number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone on my WiFi see my IP address?

Yes, anyone connected to your home network can see your computer's local IP address. This is normal and necessary for the network to work. However, your local IP address is not a security risk by itself — it only works inside your home network. What matters for security is the firewall rules on your computer and router, which you control.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ifconfig?

You see multiple addresses because your computer may have multiple network connections (WiFi and Ethernet, for example), or because the output includes IPv6 addresses alongside IPv4. Look for the address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 — that's your local IPv4 address. Ignore addresses starting with 127.0 or ::1.

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

No. Your local IP (like 192.168.1.100) only works inside your home network. Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you browse. You can find your public IP by searching "what is my IP" in a web browser.

What should I do if my IP address keeps changing?

If you need a stable IP address for network tasks like port forwarding or remote access, assign your computer a static IP address in your network settings. This prevents your router from reassigning a different address. The steps vary by operating system but are available in your network settings under IP assignment or TCP/IP configuration.