Finding your IP address depends on your device and operating system

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on your network — like a mailing address for data. You need it to troubleshoot connection problems, set up port forwarding, or check which devices are actually connected to your router. The steps differ between Windows, Mac, and Linux, and between finding your local IP (the one inside your home network) and your public IP (the one the internet sees).

Most people need their local IP address — the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0. This is what you use to log into your router, assign static IPs to devices, or see what's connected. Your public IP is less useful for home network setup, but it matters if you're troubleshooting why websites see you in the wrong location or why a service blocked you.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is what you need to log into your router or troubleshoot your home network.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your local IP listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and type ifconfig or ip addr to find your local IP address.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser or visiting a site like whatismyipaddress.com.
  • If you need a device's IP address on your network, log into your router's admin page and look for a connected devices list.

Finding your local IP on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your network name or "Ethernet" if you're wired. Your IPv4 Address is your local IP — it will look like 192.168.1.105 or similar.

If you have multiple network adapters (for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), you'll see multiple sections. The one that shows "Default Gateway" is the one connected to your router. Write down the IPv4 Address from that section.

You can also find this in Settings: go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), select your network, and scroll down to "IPv4 address". This method is slower but doesn't require typing commands.

Finding your local IP on Mac

Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Network, and select your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Your local IP appears in the window as "IP Address". It will look like 192.168.1.105.

If you prefer the command line, open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" (Ethernet) or "en1" (Wi-Fi). Your local IP is listed next to "inet" — ignore the line that starts with "inet6".

Finding your local IP on Linux

Open a terminal and type ip addr or ifconfig (depending on your distribution). Press Enter. Look for your active network interface — usually named "eth0" for Ethernet or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi. Your local IP is listed next to "inet" and will look like 192.168.1.105.

If ip addr doesn't work, try hostname -I, which shows only the IP address without extra information.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP is what websites and services see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search "what is my IP". The first result will show your public IP address — a number that looks like 203.45.67.89.

You can also visit whatismyipaddress.com, myip.com, or similar sites. They all show the same information. Your public IP changes periodically (usually when your router restarts or your internet provider assigns a new one), so there's no need to memorize it.

Finding another device's IP address on your network

Log into your router's admin page by opening a browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Enter your router's username and password (check the sticker on the back of the router if you haven't changed them). Look for a section called "Connected Devices", "DHCP Clients", or "Device List".

This list shows every device connected to your network, along with its local IP address and MAC address. Find the device you're looking for by its name or description. If a device doesn't appear, it's not currently connected to your network.

Some routers also let you assign a static IP to a device from this page, which is useful if you need a device to always have the same address — for example, if you're setting up port forwarding to a specific computer.

Why you need to know the difference between local and public IP

Your local IP only works inside your home network. It's what you use to reach your router's settings page, connect to a printer on your network, or troubleshoot why a specific device isn't getting online. If you're setting up port forwarding or a static IP, you're always working with the local IP.

Your public IP is what the outside internet sees. Websites log it, services use it to block or allow access, and it can reveal your approximate location. For home network setup, you rarely need it. But if a website says you're blocked or in the wrong country, your public IP is what's being checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns local IPs automatically using DHCP, and devices may get a different one each time they reconnect. Your public IP changes when your internet provider reassigns it, usually after a router restart. If you need a device to keep the same local IP, you can assign it a static address in your router's settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it doesn't create a security risk by itself. Your local IP should not be shared outside your home network — it's only useful to people on your Wi-Fi. Never share your router's admin password, even if someone asks for it to "help" with your network.

What if I can't log into my router to see connected devices?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router for the default username and password. If you changed it and forgot it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this erases all your settings. Write down your Wi-Fi password before you reset.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP by assigning a static address in your router's settings or on the device itself. Your public IP changes automatically over time; you can force a change by unplugging your router for a few minutes. Some services (like VPNs) can make websites see a different public IP, but that's beyond basic home network setup.