How to Find Your Computer's IP Address

What your IP address is and why you need it

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on your home network — something like 192.168.1.5. It is different from your internet-facing IP address, which your internet service provider assigns and which websites see when you visit them. For home network setup, you need the local IP address: the one your router assigns to your computer so other devices on your network can find it.

You need this number when you are setting up network printers, connecting smart home devices, or troubleshooting why something is not talking to something else. It is also useful when you want to log into your router's settings to change your WiFi password or check which devices are connected.

Finding it takes less than a minute and requires no special software. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the idea is the same: you are asking your computer to tell you what address your router gave it.

Key Takeaways

Your local IP address is a four-part number (like 192.168.1.5) that your router assigns to your computer so devices on your network can find it.
On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection.
On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your WiFi connection, and the IP address appears in the details pane.
On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr show to see all your addresses.
If you see an address starting with 169.254, your computer is not properly connected to your router and needs troubleshooting.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt into the search box. Click the Command Prompt app when it appears — you do not need to run it as administrator for this task. A black window will open.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. Your computer will print out a list of network connections. Look for the section labeled with your active connection — usually "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter WiFi" if you are on WiFi. Under that section, find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.42.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, find the one that shows an IPv4 address without "169.254" at the start. An address starting with 169.254 means your computer tried to connect but failed, so that is not the one you want.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar.

You will see a list of network connections on the left. Click the one you are currently using — usually WiFi if you are wireless, or Ethernet if you are plugged in. On the right side of the window, your IP address appears next to the label IP Address. That is your local address.

If you do not see an IP address listed, or if it starts with 169.254, your connection is not working properly. Try disconnecting and reconnecting to your WiFi, or unplug and replug your ethernet cable, then check again.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The keyboard shortcut is usually Ctrl+Alt+T, though this varies by desktop environment. Once the terminal is open, type hostname -I and press Enter. Your computer will print out one or more IP addresses. The first one is usually your local address.

If you want more detail about which address belongs to which network adapter, type ip addr show instead. This prints a longer list showing each network device and its address. Look for the section labeled "inet" (not "inet6") under the adapter you are using — that is your IPv4 address.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Every time your computer connects to your router, the router hands out an IP address from a pool of available numbers. Most home routers are set to give the same address to the same device most of the time, but it is not may provide. If you are setting up a network printer or other device that needs to reach your computer, a changing IP address will cause problems.

The solution is to set a static IP address — one that does not change. You can do this in two ways. The easier way is to log into your router's settings and tell it to always give your computer the same address. The harder way is to set a static address on your computer itself. For most home networks, the router method is simpler. You will need your computer's MAC address (a different identifier than the IP address) and access to your router's admin panel, which usually means typing your router's IP address into a web browser.

If you are not comfortable logging into your router, you can also just write down your current IP address and check it again in a few days. For most home setups, the address stays the same unless you restart your router or your computer goes offline for a long time.

Checking your internet-facing IP address

The IP address you found above is only visible to devices on your home network. Your internet service provider also assigns you a different IP address — your public IP address — which websites and online services see when you connect to the internet. This is different from your local address.

If you need to know your public IP address (for example, to set up remote access to your home computer), you can find it by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io in any web browser. These sites will display your public address when ready. You do not need to type anything or sign in.

Do not share your public IP address with people you do not trust, because it can be used to target your network with attacks. Your local IP address is safe to share — it only works on your home network and is useless to someone outside your house.

Troubleshooting when you cannot find an IP address

If you follow the steps above and see no IP address, or only see an address starting with 169.254, your computer is not properly connected to your router. Start by checking the physical connection: if you are using ethernet, make sure the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends. If you are using WiFi, make sure you are actually connected to your network — check your WiFi menu to confirm.

If the connection looks fine, try restarting your computer. Many connection problems clear themselves after a restart. If that does not work, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait a minute for it to fully boot up, then check your IP address again.

If you still see no address after restarting both devices, your network adapter may need a driver update, or there may be a problem with your router. At that point, it is worth checking your router's manual or contacting your internet service provider for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your local IP address (like 192.168.1.5) is only visible to devices on your home network. Your internet IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites see. They are completely different numbers.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Usually not. Most home routers assign the same local IP address to the same device each time it connects. However, if your computer is offline for a long time, or if you restart your router, the address might change. If you need it to stay the same, you can set a static address in your router's settings.

Can someone use my local IP address to hack me?

Not from outside your home. Your local IP address only works on your home network and is invisible to the internet. Someone would need to be physically on your WiFi network to use it. Your public IP address is visible online, but it does not directly expose your computer — your router sits between the internet and your devices.

What does the 192.168 part of the IP address mean?

It is a reserved range that routers use for home networks. Almost all home routers assign addresses starting with 192.168 or 10.0. These ranges are not routable on the public internet, which is why they are safe to use in homes and offices without conflict.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you are setting up a device that needs to connect to your computer specifically — like a network printer or a remote access tool. For most everyday use, you do not need to remember it. You can always look it up again in under a minute using the steps above.

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.