Why you might need an IP address from your network

An IP address is a number that identifies a device on your network — like a phone, laptop, or smart TV. You might need to find one to troubleshoot a slow connection, set up port forwarding for a game or security camera, or block a device that's using too much bandwidth. The device itself usually doesn't show you this number in an obvious place, so you have to ask your router for a list.

Your router keeps track of every device connected to it and assigns each one a temporary IP address. This is different from your public IP address (the one the internet sees), which your internet provider assigns to your router. What you're looking for is the local IP address — the one that only exists inside your home network.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's admin page shows a list of all connected devices and their local IP addresses, which is the fastest way to find what you need.
  • You reach the admin page by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser on any device on the network.
  • If you know which device you're looking for, you can also check that device's network settings directly — most phones and computers display their own IP address there.
  • The IP address you find on your home network is only useful inside your home; it changes when the device reconnects, and it's different from what the outside internet sees.

Finding the IP address through your router's admin page

The easiest route is to log into your router and look at the connected devices list. Open a web browser on any computer or phone that's connected to your WiFi, then type your router's address into the address bar. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — try the first one first.

When the login page appears, enter your router's username and password. If you've never changed these, they're usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself — often something like "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number. Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "DHCP Clients," "Device List," or "Attached Devices." The exact name depends on your router brand, but it's usually under a Network or Status menu.

The list will show you the name of each device (if it has one) and its IP address next to it. Write down the address for the device you're looking for. If a device doesn't have a recognizable name, you can unplug it or turn it off, refresh the page, and see which entry disappears — that tells you which address belongs to which device.

Checking the IP address directly on the device

If you want to find a device's IP address without logging into the router, you can check the device itself. On a Windows computer, open the Start menu, type "cmd" into the search box, and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" under the network connection you're using — that's the local IP address.

On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), click Network, select your WiFi connection, and the IP address appears in the window. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap WiFi, then tap the information icon next to your network name — the IP address is listed there. On Android, go to Settings, tap About Phone (or Device), then tap Status or Network, and look for IP Address.

This method works when you're sitting at the device, but it's slower if you're trying to identify multiple devices or a device you can't physically reach. The router method is usually faster for that reason.

What to do if you can't access the router's admin page

If you type 192.168.1.1 and nothing loads, try 192.168.0.1 instead — different brands use different defaults. If neither works, you might have a router that uses a different address. Check the sticker on the back of the router for the correct address, or look up your router model online with "default IP address" in the search.

If you've forgotten the admin password and can't find it on the router, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds while it's powered on. This erases all your settings, so you'll have to set up your WiFi password again, but it lets you log back in with the default credentials. After you reset it, change the password to something you'll remember.

Understanding what the IP address tells you

The local IP address you find is only useful inside your home network. It won't work if you try to use it from outside your house, and it's not the address that websites or online services see when you connect to them. That's your public IP address, which belongs to your internet provider and is assigned to your router as a whole, not to individual devices.

Local IP addresses also change. When a device disconnects from your WiFi and reconnects, your router usually assigns it a different address from the pool of available numbers. If you need a device to keep the same address — for example, to set up port forwarding for a security camera — you can reserve that address in your router settings, which tells the router to always give that device the same number.

Finding a device by its name instead of its address

If you know the device's name but not its address, you can search for it by name on your network. On Windows, open File Explorer and look in the left sidebar for "Network" — this shows all devices that share their names on your network. On a Mac, open Finder, click Network in the sidebar, and you'll see a list of shared devices. This is slower than using the router's list, but it works if you only need to identify one or two devices.

Some devices don't broadcast their names on the network, so they won't show up this way. In that case, the router's admin page is your only option. Smart home devices, security cameras, and older equipment often fall into this category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is finding someone's IP address on my home network a privacy concern?

Not for devices on your own network — you own the router and have the right to see what's connected to it. This is basic network management. If you're concerned about a device you don't recognize, you can unplug it or change your WiFi password to force everything to reconnect and re-authenticate.

Can I find someone's IP address if they're on a different network?

Not through your router. If someone is on a different WiFi network or using mobile data, their device has a local IP address on their network, not yours. You would need access to their router to see it, which you shouldn't have. Websites and online services can see your public IP address, but that's different from a local network address.

What if a device shows up in my router list but I don't recognize it?

It's connected to your WiFi, which means someone entered your password to join. Check if it's a device you own but forgot about — a guest's phone, an old tablet, a smart home device. If you don't recognize it and don't want it on your network, you can change your WiFi password, which forces all devices to disconnect and reconnect. Only reconnect the devices you recognize.

Do I need the IP address to block a device from my network?

Most routers let you block a device by its MAC address (a different identifier) rather than its IP address, and some let you block by device name. Check your router's parental controls or access control settings — you usually don't need the IP address itself, just the ability to identify which device you want to block.