What your PC's IP address is and why you need it

Your PC's IP address is a number that identifies your computer on your home network — something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.42. It's different from your internet-facing IP address (the one your internet provider assigns). You need the local one to troubleshoot network problems, set up port forwarding, assign a static address to a device, or connect to your computer remotely from another device on the same network.

Finding it takes less than a minute and requires no special software. The method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but the idea is the same: you're looking for the address listed next to "IPv4 Address" or similar language in your network settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in network settings on Windows (Settings > Network > Status), Mac (System Settings > Network), or Linux (terminal command ip addr).
  • The address you see will start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 — these are the ranges reserved for home networks.
  • Write down or screenshot your IP address if you need it for port forwarding, remote access, or troubleshooting.
  • Your IP address can change if you restart your router or if your device reconnects to the network, unless you set a static address.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app. Go to Network & Internet on the left side, then click Status. Scroll down and click Advanced network options. Under "IP settings", you'll see your IPv4 address listed next to "IPv4 address".

If you prefer the command line, press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your network adapter — that's your local IP.

The quickest method: right-click the network icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select Network and Internet settings, then follow the same path to Status and Advanced network options.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network on the left side. Select your active connection — usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and your IPv4 address will appear on the right side of the window, labeled "IP Address".

If you're using the command line, open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (en0 for Ethernet, en1 for Wi-Fi on newer Macs) and find the line starting with "inet" — that's your local IP address.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip addr and press Enter. You'll see a list of network interfaces. Look for the one labeled "inet" followed by a number — that's your IPv4 address. Ignore the "127.0.0.1" entry; that's your computer talking to itself.

If ip addr doesn't work on your system, try ifconfig instead. The output format is slightly different, but you're still looking for "inet" followed by your address.

Understanding what you're looking at

Your local IP address will always start with one of three ranges: 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x through 172.31.x.x. These are reserved for private networks and never appear on the public internet. The last one or two numbers (called the "host" part) are what make your device unique on your home network.

You may also see an IPv6 address, which looks like a string of letters and numbers separated by colons (for example, fe80::1). For most home network tasks, you can ignore this and use the IPv4 address instead.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

If you find your IP address today and it's different tomorrow, your router is assigning it dynamically — which is the default for most home networks. This usually doesn't matter for everyday use, but if you're setting up port forwarding or remote access, a changing IP can break your setup.

To fix this, you can set a static IP address on your device. On Windows, go back to Advanced network options, scroll down to "IP settings", click Edit, and change the dropdown from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual". Enter your current IP address, set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, and leave the gateway as your router's address (usually 192.168.1.1). On Mac and Linux, the process is similar but accessed through network settings or terminal configuration files.

Alternatively, you can log into your router's admin panel and set a DHCP reservation, which tells the router to always give that device the same address. This is often easier than configuring the device itself.

Troubleshooting if you can't find your IP address

If you follow the steps above and see no IPv4 address, your device isn't connected to the network. Check that Wi-Fi is turned on or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in. Wait a few seconds for the connection to establish, then check again.

If you're connected but still see no address, restart your device and your router. Turn off the router completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it finishes booting (usually 2 to 3 minutes), reconnect your PC and check for an IP address again.

If the problem persists, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly. Log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser) and check that DHCP is enabled. If you're not sure how, consult your router's manual or contact your internet provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my internet address?

No. Your local IP (192.168.x.x or similar) is only visible on your home network. Your internet-facing IP is assigned by your provider and is what websites see when you browse. To find your internet IP, search "what is my IP" in any browser.

Can someone hack me if they know my local IP address?

Not from outside your home network — local IPs don't route across the internet. Someone on your Wi-Fi could potentially target your device, which is why using a strong Wi-Fi password matters. If you're concerned about security, make sure your router's firewall is enabled and your devices are updated.

Why does my IP address have so many numbers after it, like /24?

That's the subnet mask written in shorthand. The /24 means your router can assign addresses to 254 different devices on your network (192.168.1.0 through 192.168.1.254). You don't need to change this for normal home use.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you're setting up port forwarding, remote access, or a static address. For everyday browsing and email, you never need to know it. If you do need it later, you can always look it up again in a few seconds.