Your Windows computer has two IP addresses you might need to find

Your computer has a local IP address (the one your home network uses to talk to it) and a public IP address (the one the internet sees). For home network security, you almost always need the local one. It looks something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50. Finding it takes less than a minute using built-in Windows tools.

The local IP address is what you use when you want to log into your router's settings, set up port forwarding, or see which devices are connected to your network. Your public IP address is useful if you're troubleshooting internet problems or checking whether your location is being tracked, but it changes regularly and your internet service provider controls it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Settings under Network & Internet, or you can find it when ready by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig.
  • The address you're looking for starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is listed as "IPv4 Address" in the results.
  • You need your local IP address to access your router's admin panel and to understand what devices are on your network.
  • Your public IP address is different and changes over time; you can see it by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.

Finding your local IP address using Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. You'll see a list of network adapters. Look for the one labeled "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi.

Next to "IPv4 Address" you'll see a number that looks like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.50. That's your local IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you want to access your router settings or troubleshoot network problems.

Finding your local IP address in Windows Settings

Click the Windows Start button and open Settings. Go to Network & Internet, then select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected. Click on the network you're currently using. Scroll down to "IP settings" and you'll see "IPv4 address" listed there.

This method is slower than Command Prompt but shows the same information in a more visual way. Both methods give you the exact same local IP address.

Understanding what the numbers mean

Local IP addresses on home networks almost always start with 192.168 or 10.0. The last two numbers (like the .1.100 in 192.168.1.100) are assigned by your router and are unique to each device on your network. Your phone, laptop, printer, and smart TV each get their own address.

If your address starts with something else — like 169.254 — your computer isn't properly connected to the network. If it starts with a number in the 200s or higher, you're likely on a public network (like at a library or coffee shop) rather than your home network.

Why you need your local IP address

Your local IP address is the key to accessing your router's admin panel, where you can change your Wi-Fi password, see which devices are connected, set up port forwarding, or check your router's security settings. Most routers use an address like 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1 as their admin panel — you type this into your browser's address bar to log in.

You also need your local IP address if you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer on your network, or trying to understand why a device isn't connecting. Network security tools often ask for your local IP so you can see what's happening on your specific machine.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when you connect to them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". The first result will show your public IP — a number that looks similar to your local IP but is assigned by your internet service provider.

Your public IP changes periodically (sometimes daily, sometimes monthly, depending on your provider). Unlike your local IP, you don't control it and you can't change it directly. It's useful to know if you're checking whether a service has blocked your location or if you're troubleshooting why a website thinks you're in a different country.

Keeping track of your IP addresses

Write down or screenshot your local IP address and keep it somewhere safe — in a notes app, a document, or even a piece of paper in a drawer. You'll use it regularly if you manage your home network. Your public IP doesn't need to be saved because it changes and you can look it up anytime in seconds.

If you want your local IP address to stay the same (so you don't have to look it up again), you can set a static IP in your router settings. This is useful for devices like printers or security cameras that you access by IP address. Your router's manual or admin panel will explain how to do this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have two different IP addresses?

Your local IP is for devices inside your home network to find each other. Your public IP is what the outside internet uses to reach your home network. Your router translates between them — it's like having a home address and a mailing address that both lead to the same place.

Is my IP address a security risk?

Your local IP is only visible to devices on your home network, so it's not a direct risk. Your public IP is visible to websites you visit, but it only tells someone your approximate location and internet provider — not your name or address. It becomes a risk if you're running services (like a game server) that you haven't secured properly.

What if I can't find my IP address in the results?

Make sure you're looking at the right network adapter — if you're on Wi-Fi, look under "Wireless LAN adapter", not "Ethernet". If you see multiple adapters, your active connection will be the one with an IPv4 address listed. If nothing shows an address, your computer isn't connected to the network.

Can I change my local IP address?

Your router assigns it automatically, but you can request a different one by unplugging your computer from the network for a few minutes, then plugging back in. For a permanent change, you can set a static IP in your router's settings, which is useful for devices you access regularly by address.

Do I need to memorize my IP address?

No. Write it down or take a screenshot the first time you find it. You can look it up again anytime using the same Command Prompt method, so you don't need to remember it.