Open Command Prompt and run a single command to see your IP address

Your IP address is the number that identifies your device on your network. You can find it in seconds using Command Prompt, the text-based tool built into Windows. The fastest way is to open Command Prompt and type one command that shows your address when ready.

You need this information when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up port forwarding on your router, or checking whether your device is actually connected to the network. Command Prompt gives you the real answer without clicking through menus.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter.
  • Type ipconfig and press Enter to see your IP address listed as "IPv4 Address" under your network adapter.
  • Your IP address on your home network starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 — these are private addresses that only work inside your home.
  • If you see "169.254" as your IP address, your device is not actually connected to the network despite what it appears to show.
  • The command ipconfig /all shows additional details like your MAC address and DNS servers if you need them for router setup.

How to open Command Prompt on Windows

Press the Windows key and R at the same time. A small box will appear. Type cmd (just those three letters) and press Enter. A black window with white text will open — this is Command Prompt.

If that does not work, click the Windows Start button, type cmd in the search box, and click "Command Prompt" when it appears in the results. Either method opens the same tool.

Run ipconfig to display your IP address

In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will fill with information about every network adapter on your computer. Look for the section labeled with your network name or "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi" depending on how you are connected.

Under that section, find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it is your IP address on your home network. It will look something like 192.168.1.105 or 10.0.0.50. Write this number down if you need it for router settings or troubleshooting.

Understanding what your IP address tells you

An IP address that starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 is a private address — it only works inside your home network. This is normal and expected. Your router assigns these addresses to devices so they can talk to each other.

If your IP address shows as 169.254 followed by other numbers, your device is not actually connected to the network. This usually means the network cable is unplugged, the Wi-Fi password is wrong, or the router is not working. Reconnect to the network and run ipconfig again.

Do not confuse your private IP address with your public IP address. Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them, and it is assigned by your internet provider. You cannot find it in Command Prompt — you would need to visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com to see it.

Get more details with ipconfig /all

If you need additional information beyond just the IP address, type ipconfig /all (with a space and /all at the end) and press Enter. This shows everything about your network setup, including your MAC address (a unique identifier for your device's network card) and your DNS servers (the computers that translate website names into IP addresses).

You might need the MAC address if you are setting up MAC filtering on your router or if your router requires you to register devices before they can connect. The DNS servers matter if you are troubleshooting why websites are not loading even though you have internet.

What to do if you cannot find your IP address

If you run ipconfig and see no IPv4 address, or if you see only the 169.254 address mentioned above, your device is not connected to the network. Check that your network cable is plugged in (if you use Ethernet) or that you are connected to your Wi-Fi network (look at the network icon in the bottom right corner of your screen).

If the cable is plugged in or you are connected to Wi-Fi but still see no address, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully start up. Then run ipconfig again. If you still see no address after that, the router may not be working correctly and you may need to contact your internet provider.

Using your IP address for router access

Once you have your IP address, you can use it to find your router's address. Your router's address is almost always the same as your device's IP address except the last number is 1. If your device shows 192.168.1.105, your router is probably at 192.168.1.1. Type that address into your web browser to log into your router and change settings like port forwarding or Wi-Fi password.

Some routers use a different pattern, so if 192.168.1.1 does not work, run ipconfig again and look for the line labeled Default Gateway. That number is your router's address on the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to know my IP address?

You need it when you are setting up port forwarding to let outside devices reach a service on your computer, when you are troubleshooting why a device cannot connect to your network, or when you are logging into your router to change settings. It is also useful for identifying which device is which when multiple devices are connected.

Is my IP address the same every time?

Usually yes, but not always. Your router assigns the same private IP address to your device most of the time. However, if you unplug your device for a long time or your router restarts, it might assign a slightly different number. If you need the address to stay the same for router setup, you can assign a static IP address in your router settings.

Can I see other devices' IP addresses on my network?

Yes. Type arp -a in Command Prompt to see a list of other devices that have recently communicated with your computer, along with their IP addresses and MAC addresses. This helps you identify which device is which when troubleshooting network problems.

What if Command Prompt shows multiple network adapters?

Your computer may have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters. Look for the one labeled with the connection type you are actually using. If you are connected by Wi-Fi, find the Wi-Fi section. If you are plugged in with a cable, find the Ethernet section. Ignore adapters that do not have an IPv4 address listed.