What your IP address is and why you need it

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your computer on your home network — something like 192.168.1.5. You need it when you're setting up a find router, troubleshooting a device that won't connect, or giving technical support to someone who needs to access your computer remotely. It's not sensitive information the way a password is, but it's useful to know where to find it.

Every device on your network has its own IP address. Your router assigns these automatically most of the time, so the number can change. Finding it takes less than a minute on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and you can look it up again whenever you need it without any lasting record.

Key Takeaways

  • Your IP address appears in your network settings and looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.5.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status, and look for "IPv4 address" in the details section.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears under "Status".
  • The Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) can show your IP address in one command if you prefer the command line.
  • Your IP address may change if you restart your router or if your router is set to reassign addresses periodically.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Network & Internet on the left side. You'll see several options; click Status. Scroll down until you see a section called "Advanced network settings" and click it. Look for your active connection — usually called "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or your Wi-Fi network name if you're wireless. Click on it.

A details panel will open. Scroll down in that panel until you find IPv4 address. The number next to it is your IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it for later. If you're using an older version of Windows 10, the path may be slightly different: go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Advanced options, and look for "IPv4 address" in the same way.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network on the left sidebar. You'll see a list of connections; select the one you're currently using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. On the right side, you'll see a Status section. Your IP address is listed there as "IP Address".

If you don't see it when ready, make sure the connection is selected and showing as "Connected". The IP address will appear in the details below the connection name. On very old Mac versions, you may need to click an "Advanced" button to see the full network details.

Using the command line on Windows

If you prefer typing a command instead of clicking through menus, you can find your IP address in the Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type "cmd", and press Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter.

A list of information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — "Ethernet adapter" if you're wired, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says IPv4 Address. The number next to it is what you need. Ignore the other numbers like subnet mask and default gateway unless you're doing advanced network configuration.

Using the command line on Mac or Linux

Open the Terminal process. On Mac, press Command + Space, type "Terminal", and press Enter. On Linux, look for Terminal in your applications menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T. Type ifconfig and press Enter.

You'll see output for each network connection. Look for the section that matches your connection — usually labeled "en0" for Ethernet or "en1" for Wi-Fi on Mac. Find the line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6"). The number after "inet" is your IP address. On Linux, the connection names vary by system, but the "inet" line will still show your IPv4 address.

Understanding what the numbers mean

IP addresses on home networks usually start with 192.168 or 10.0. The last two numbers are assigned by your router and differ for each device. If you see an address starting with 169.254, your device isn't connected to the network properly — try unplugging and replugging your cable, or forgetting and rejoining your Wi-Fi network.

The numbers before your IP address in the command line output (like the subnet mask or default gateway) are less important for most home network tasks. Focus on the IPv4 address itself. You don't need to understand what these other numbers do unless you're configuring advanced network settings.

What to do if the address keeps changing

If you find your IP address one day and it's different the next, your router is reassigning addresses automatically. This is normal behavior and usually not a problem for everyday use. However, if you're setting up port forwarding or remote access, you may want to give your device a static IP address — one that doesn't change.

A static IP is configured in your router's settings, not on the computer itself. Check your router's manual or support page for instructions on assigning a static address to a specific device. Most routers have a section called "DHCP" or "Reserved IP" where you can lock an address to a particular computer's hardware identifier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my Wi-Fi password?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on the network. Your Wi-Fi password is what lets devices connect to your router in the first place. You need both, but they're completely separate things.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Not usually. It will stay the same unless you restart your router or your router is set to reassign addresses on a schedule. If you need the address to stay the same permanently, you can set a static IP in your router's settings.

Can someone use my IP address to hack me?

Your local IP address (the one starting with 192.168 or 10.0) only works inside your home network, so it's not a security risk by itself. Your router protects devices outside your network from seeing it. The security of your network depends on your router's password and firewall settings, not on keeping your IP address secret.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses are the older format (like 192.168.1.5) and are still most common in home networks. IPv6 is a newer format with longer addresses. For home network setup, you almost always need the IPv4 address. If you see both listed, use the IPv4 one.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you're about to do something that requires it — like setting up port forwarding, configuring remote access, or giving it to someone providing technical support. Otherwise, you can look it up again whenever you need it using the steps above.