What an IP address is and why you need to find yours

An IP address is a number that identifies your device on your home network and on the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by dots — for example, 192.168.1.5 — and every device connected to your network has one. You need to know your own IP address when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up port forwarding on your router, or checking which devices are actually connected to your network.

Your device actually has two IP addresses: a local IP address (the one on your home network) and a public IP address (the one your internet service provider assigns to your whole household). The local one is what you'll use most often for home network tasks. The public one is what websites see when you visit them.

Finding your IP address takes less than a minute and requires no special tools — just a few clicks or commands depending on what device you're using.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is the number that identifies your device on your home network, and you need it to troubleshoot connection problems or change router settings.
  • Windows users can find their local IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac and Linux users can open Terminal and type ifconfig to see the same information under "inet".
  • On phones and tablets, the IP address is usually in Settings under Wi-Fi or Network, next to the network name you're connected to.
  • Your router's admin panel shows all connected devices and their IP addresses, which helps you spot unauthorized connections.

Finding your IP address on Windows

On Windows, the fastest way is through Command Prompt. Click the Start button, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" (if you're plugged in with a cable) or "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" (if you're using Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your local IP address. It will usually start with 192.168 or 10.0.

You can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, click the network you're connected to, and scroll down to "IP address".

Finding your IP address on Mac and Linux

On a Mac, open Terminal (you can find it in Applications > Utilities or search for it with Spotlight). Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" or "en1" — that's your network connection. Find the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" is your local IP address.

On Linux, the process is the same: open a terminal and type ifconfig. If that doesn't work, try ip addr instead. Look for the section labeled "wlan0" (Wi-Fi) or "eth0" (wired), and find the line starting with "inet".

Finding your IP address on phones and tablets

On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network you're connected to, and scroll down. You'll see "IP Address" listed there along with other network details.

On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, tap the network you're connected to, and look for "IP address" in the details that appear. Some Android versions call this section "Advanced" or require you to tap an info icon.

Checking all connected devices from your router

Your router keeps a list of every device connected to your network, along with each one's IP address. This is useful if you want to see what's actually connected or if you're trying to find the IP address of another device on your network.

To access your router's admin panel, open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Most home routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router if you're not sure. You'll be asked to log in. The default username is often "admin" and the password is either "admin" or "password", though this varies by manufacturer. If those don't work, check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website.

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 model. You'll see a list of every device on your network with its IP address, device name, and sometimes the time it connected.

Understanding the difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is only used within your home network. It's assigned by your router and changes rarely, if ever. This is the address you use when you're setting up port forwarding, connecting to a printer, or accessing your router's settings.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is what the outside internet sees. To find it, you can visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or straightforward search "what is my IP" in any search engine. Your public IP address can change periodically — sometimes monthly, sometimes when you restart your modem. You don't usually need to know it for home network tasks, but you might need it if you're setting up remote access to a device at home or if you're troubleshooting an internet-wide issue.

What to do once you have your IP address

Once you know your device's local IP address, you can use it to troubleshoot network problems. If a device isn't connecting, you can ping its IP address from another device to see if it's reachable. If you're setting up port forwarding to access a device from outside your home, you'll enter its local IP address into your router's settings. If you're having Wi-Fi problems, you can check your router's device list to see if your device is actually connected.

Write down or take a screenshot of your IP address if you're about to make changes to your network. That way, if something goes wrong, you'll know what it was before and can restore it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means they can change when a device reconnects or after a certain amount of time. If you need a device to keep the same IP address (like a printer or security camera), you can set a static IP address in your router's settings, which locks that device to one number.

Is it dangerous to share my local IP address?

Your local IP address is only useful on your home network, so sharing it with someone outside your home won't let them access anything. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so that's not secret either. Neither one is sensitive information on its own.

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

If you've changed the password and forgotten it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your settings, so you'll have to set up your Wi-Fi name and password again. Check your router's manual for the exact reset procedure.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and you can change it through the router's settings if you need to, though there's rarely a reason to. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider — you can request a new one by restarting your modem, but you can't choose what it will be.