What your IP address is and why you need it

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on your network — like a mailing address for data. It looks like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.5 or something similar. When you set up a home network, you sometimes need to know this number to log into your router, troubleshoot a slow connection, or give tech support the information they ask for.

There are two kinds of IP addresses you might see. Your local IP address (or private IP address) is what your device uses inside your home network. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you browse — it belongs to your internet service provider and is shared by all devices in your home. Most of the time, when someone asks for your IP address, they mean the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is a four-number sequence you can find in your device settings or network information in under a minute.
  • Windows users open Settings, go to Network & Internet, and look for IPv4 Address in the Wi-Fi or Ethernet section.
  • Mac users open System Settings, click Network, select their connection, and read the IP Address field.
  • On a phone or tablet, the IP address appears in Wi-Fi settings under the network name you are connected to.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, a search for "what is my IP" in any browser shows it when ready.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Network & Internet on the left side. If you are connected by Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi; if you are plugged in with an ethernet cable, click Ethernet.

Scroll down and click the name of your network (the Wi-Fi network or ethernet connection you are using). A panel will open showing your connection details. Look for IPv4 Address — that is your local IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it for later.

If you do not see the details panel, try this instead: press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your connection type — that is your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left and select System Settings. Click Network on the left side. You will see your current connection listed (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Click it.

A details panel will open on the right. Look for the line that says IP Address — that is your local IP address. If you need to copy it, click the number and use Command + C to copy it to your clipboard.

If you are using an older Mac with System Preferences instead of System Settings, the path is the same: click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, click Network, select your connection, and read the IP Address field.

Finding your IP address on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you are connected to and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i" inside it) next to the network name. Your IP Address will appear in the list of details.

If you are using cellular data instead of Wi-Fi, your device does not have a local IP address on your home network — it is connected to your phone carrier's network instead. You only need a local IP address if you are on your home Wi-Fi.

Finding your IP address on Android

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Tap the network you are connected to (or the gear icon next to it, depending on your phone). Look for IP Address in the list of network details.

Some Android phones show this information under Advanced or require you to tap and hold the network name. If you do not see IP Address in the first screen, look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) and tap Advanced.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If the steps above do not show an IP address, check that you are actually connected to your network. Look for a Wi-Fi icon or ethernet symbol in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). If you see a "not connected" message, connect to your network first, then repeat the steps above.

If you are connected but still do not see an IP address, restart your device. Shut it down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it reconnects to your network, check the settings again. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is different from your local one — it is what websites see when you visit them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP." The first result will show your public IP address in large text. You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which display your public IP when ready.

Your public IP address changes periodically (usually when your router restarts or your internet service provider updates it). You do not need to memorize it. If someone asks for your IP address to troubleshoot your internet or network, they almost always mean your local IP address, not your public one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 or 10.0?

Those are standard ranges for local IP addresses on home networks. Every home network uses numbers from these ranges, so they are not unique to you. Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) is different and is assigned by your internet service provider.

Will my IP address change?

Your local IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your device has not connected in a long time. Your public IP address changes occasionally but you do not control when. If you need a local IP address to stay the same (for example, to access a printer), you can set a static IP in your router settings, though this is rarely necessary for basic home network use.

Is it dangerous to share my IP address?

Sharing your local IP address is safe — it only works inside your home network. Sharing your public IP address is also generally safe, though it is not information you should post publicly. Your public IP address alone does not let someone access your devices or network.

What if I see multiple IP addresses listed?

You might see both an IPv4 address (the four-number format) and an IPv6 address (a longer format with letters and colons). Both are valid. Use the IPv4 address unless someone specifically asks for IPv6, which is less common on home networks.