How to Find Your IP Address on a Mac

Finding your IP address in System Settings

The fastest way to see your IP address on a Mac is through System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Network. You will see your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — listed with a green dot next to it. Click that connection, and your IP address appears on the right side of the window next to "IPv4 Address".

This method shows your local IP address, which is the number your router assigns to your Mac on your home network. It typically starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and looks like 192.168.1.45. This is the address other devices on your network use to find your Mac, and it is what you need when setting up port forwarding or connecting to your computer remotely from inside your home.

Key Takeaways

Your local IP address appears in System Settings under Network, next to "IPv4 Address" — this is the number your router assigns to your Mac.
Your public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns) is different from your local IP and is what websites see when you browse.
Terminal shows both addresses quickly if you prefer the command line: type ifconfig for local IP or visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com for your public IP.
Your local IP can change if your router restarts or your Mac reconnects to the network, so check it again before relying on it for port forwarding.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

Your Mac actually has two IP addresses, and they serve different purposes. The one you see in System Settings is your local IP address — it exists only on your home network and is assigned by your router. Devices on your Wi-Fi use this address to communicate with your Mac. If you set up a printer, a security camera, or remote access software, you will use this local address.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what the outside world sees. When you visit a website, that website logs your public IP, not your local one. Your public IP is hidden behind your router's firewall, which is why your home network stays private. If you need to know your public IP — for example, to allow someone to connect to your Mac from outside your home — you can find it by visiting a site like whatismyipaddress.com in your web browser.

Using Terminal to check your IP address

If you prefer the command line, Terminal shows your IP address in seconds. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities or search for it with Spotlight). Type ifconfig and press Enter. You will see a list of network interfaces. Look for the one labeled en0 (Ethernet) or en1 (Wi-Fi, depending on your Mac model). Next to inet, you will see your local IP address.

Terminal also shows additional network information like your subnet mask and gateway address, which can be useful if you are troubleshooting network problems. For most home network tasks, though, System Settings is simpler and shows everything you need in one place.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address is not permanent. When your Mac reconnects to Wi-Fi, restarts, or your router restarts, your router may assign a different local IP address the next time your Mac connects. This happens because most home routers use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which automatically hands out addresses from a pool rather than assigning fixed ones.

If you are setting up port forwarding, remote access, or any service that relies on a specific IP address, this changing address becomes a problem. The solution is to assign your Mac a static IP address — one that does not change. You can do this either in your router's settings (by reserving an address for your Mac's hardware address) or in System Settings by clicking the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, then Details, then TCP/IP, and selecting "Manual" instead of "Automatic".

Checking your IP address on different network types

If your Mac is connected to Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, the process is the same: go to System Settings, click Network, select Ethernet, and look for the IPv4 address. Ethernet connections are often more stable and less likely to change IP addresses, which is why they are preferred for devices that need a consistent address.

If you are on a guest network or a public Wi-Fi network, your local IP on that network will be different from your home network IP. Your public IP may also appear different depending on where you are connecting from. When you return home and reconnect to your home Wi-Fi, your Mac will get a new local IP from your home router.

Using your IP address for home network tasks

Once you know your local IP address, you can use it for several home network tasks. If you want to access your Mac from another device on the network, you can use the IP address in applications like Remote Desktop or SSH. If you are setting up a network printer, you may need to enter your Mac's IP address. Some network storage devices and smart home equipment also require you to know the IP addresses of devices on your network.

Keep in mind that your local IP is only reachable from inside your home network. If someone outside your home tries to connect to your local IP address, they will not reach your Mac — they would need your public IP and a port forwarding rule set up in your router. This is one reason your home network stays find by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my IP address stay the same?

Yes. In your router's settings, you can reserve a specific IP address for your Mac by entering its hardware address (MAC address). Alternatively, you can set a static IP directly on your Mac in System Settings under Network Details, though router-level reservation is usually simpler and more reliable.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.45 and are the standard on most home networks. IPv6 addresses are longer and look like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. Most home networks still use IPv4, but newer Macs support both. System Settings shows both if your network provides them.

Is my local IP address private and find?

Your local IP is only visible to devices on your home network, so it is private within your home. It is not exposed to the internet. However, if someone gains access to your Wi-Fi network, they can see your local IP. This is why keeping your Wi-Fi password strong matters.

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

Your Mac has multiple network interfaces — one for Wi-Fi, one for Ethernet, one for Bluetooth, and others for system functions. Each shows its own IP address or no address if it is not active. Look for en0 or en1 to find your active connection's IP address.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.