What your IP address is and why you need it

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on your network — like a mailing address for data. It looks like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.5. You need to know your IP address when you're setting up network devices, troubleshooting connection problems, or accessing your router's settings to change security features.

Every device connected to your network gets an IP address. Your computer, phone, printer, and smart TV all have one. Your router also has an IP address, and that's often the one you need when you want to log in and change your network's password or other settings.

There are two types: your local IP address (the one on your home network) and your public IP address (the one your internet provider assigns, visible to websites you visit). This guide covers finding both.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in your network settings on Windows, Mac, or mobile — the quickest route is Settings on any device.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 address".
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for "IP Address" in the details pane.
  • Your public IP address shows on any website that displays it — search "what is my IP" in a browser to see it when ready.
  • Your router's IP address is usually printed on the device itself or in your manual, and you need it to log in and change network settings.

Finding your local IP on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app. Go to Network & Internet on the left side. Click Status. Scroll down and you'll see "IP settings" with your IPv4 address listed — that's your local IP address.

If you prefer the command line, you can also open Command Prompt (search "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" in the results — it will be under your active connection.

The Settings route is faster for most people. The command line method is useful if you're troubleshooting network problems or need to check multiple devices at once.

Finding your local IP on Mac

Click the Apple menu and select System Settings. Click Network on the left. Select your active connection (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet). On the right side, you'll see your IP address listed under the connection details.

If you're using an older Mac with macOS Big Sur or earlier, the path is slightly different: go to System Preferences instead of System Settings, then Network. The information is in the same place once you're there.

You can also open Terminal (search "Terminal" in Spotlight), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by your IP address — it will appear under your active connection name.

Finding your local IP on phones and tablets

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the network you're connected to. Your IP address appears under "IP Address" in the connection details.

On Android: Open Settings, go to About Phone (or About Tablet), then tap Status or Network. Your IP address is listed as "IP Address". On some Android phones, you may need to go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, tap your connected network, and look for IP Address in the details.

The exact path varies by phone model and Android version, but the information is always in the network or Wi-Fi settings. If you can't find it in one place, check the other locations listed above.

Finding your public IP address

Open any web browser and search "what is my IP". The first result will show your public IP address — the one your internet provider assigned to your home network. You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io, which display your public IP when ready.

Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them. It changes periodically (usually when your router restarts or your internet provider updates it), so don't be surprised if it's different next week. You don't need to do anything to change it — it happens automatically.

You rarely need your public IP for home network setup, but it's useful if you're troubleshooting internet issues with your provider or setting up remote access to devices at home.

Finding your router's IP address

Your router's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device. Look for a number that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 — that's your router's address. Common defaults are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

If you can't find the sticker, you can look it up from any device on your network. On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for "Default Gateway" — that's your router's IP. On Mac, open Terminal, type netstat -nr | grep default, and the first number in the results is your router's IP.

You need your router's IP address to log in and change your network settings — like your Wi-Fi password or security settings. Type the IP address into a web browser's address bar, and it will prompt you for a username and password (usually "admin" and "admin" or "password", unless you've changed them).

What to do once you have your IP address

If you found your local IP address because you're setting up a new device, write it down or take a screenshot. You may need it to configure the device or troubleshoot connection problems later.

If you found your router's IP address, you can now log in to change your network settings. This is where you change your Wi-Fi password, enable stronger security settings, or restart the router if you're having connection problems. Keep your router's IP address somewhere you can find it again — you'll use it periodically.

If you found your public IP address, you don't need to do anything with it unless you're troubleshooting with your internet provider. Write it down only if they ask for it during a support call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts or if your device reconnects to the network. Your public IP address changes when your router restarts or your internet provider updates it. Neither is a problem — devices on your network find each other automatically even when IPs change. If you need an IP address to stay the same, you can assign a static IP in your router settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit — it's not secret. Sharing it won't put your network at risk. Your local IP address is only visible to devices on your own network, so there's no reason to share it with anyone outside your home. Never share your router's login password, even if someone asks for your IP address.

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

Make sure you're looking in the right section — it's under Network or Wi-Fi settings on all devices. If you're on a work or school network, the device may not show the IP address in Settings. Try the command line method instead: ipconfig on Windows or ifconfig on Mac. If nothing appears, your device may not be connected to the network.

Do I need to remember my IP address?

You only need to write down your router's IP address — that's the one you'll use repeatedly to log in and change settings. Your device's local IP address changes occasionally, so there's no point memorizing it. Your public IP address is straightforward to look up anytime you need it.