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

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on your network. To see it without opening settings or menus, you can use Command Prompt — a text-based tool built into Windows that runs one-line commands. The fastest way takes about 10 seconds: open Command Prompt, type one command, and read your address from the result.

This matters for home network security because you need to know your own IP address to log into your router, check what devices are connected, or troubleshoot why something is not reaching the internet. If you are setting up a home network, this is often the first thing you will do.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing "cmd", and pressing Enter.
  • Type ipconfig and press Enter to see all your network addresses at once.
  • Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection — that is the address you need for most home network tasks.
  • If you see multiple network connections listed, find the one that shows an address starting with 192.168 or 10.0 — that is your local network address.
  • You can also type ipconfig /all to see additional details like your MAC address and DNS settings.

Step-by-step: Finding your IP address in Command Prompt

Press the Windows key on your keyboard. A search box will appear at the bottom left of your screen. Type "cmd" into the search box — you do not need to type the full name "Command Prompt".

Press Enter or click on "Command Prompt" when it appears in the search results. A black window will open with white text. This is Command Prompt. The cursor will be blinking, ready for you to type.

Type the word ipconfig exactly as shown — lowercase, no spaces. Press Enter. Command Prompt will display a list of all your network connections and their addresses. Read the section labeled with your network name (usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are using Wi-Fi).

Find the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your active connection. The numbers next to it — something like 192.168.1.100 — are your local IP address. Write this down or take a screenshot if you need it later.

Understanding what ipconfig shows you

When you run ipconfig, you will see multiple sections. Each section represents a different network connection on your device. Most home computers show at least two: one for Ethernet (wired) and one for Wi-Fi (wireless). You only need to look at the one you are actually using right now.

The "IPv4 Address" is what you need for almost all home network tasks — logging into your router, setting up port forwarding, or checking your network status. It always starts with a number like 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. These are private IP addresses, meaning they only work on your home network, not on the internet.

You will also see a "Default Gateway" listed. This is the address of your router. If you need to log into your router to change Wi-Fi settings or check connected devices, you will type this address into a web browser.

Getting more detail with ipconfig /all

If you need additional information beyond just your IP address, type ipconfig /all instead of just ipconfig. This shows everything: your IP address, your MAC address (a unique identifier for your device), your DNS servers, and whether your address was assigned automatically or manually.

The MAC address is useful if you are setting up MAC filtering on your router for security, or if you need to identify your device on the network. It looks like six pairs of letters and numbers separated by hyphens, such as 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E.

The DNS servers listed are the addresses your device uses to translate website names into IP addresses. Most home networks use the DNS servers provided by your internet service provider, but some people change these for privacy or speed reasons.

What to do if you see multiple IP addresses

If you are connected to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time, ipconfig will show you two different IP addresses — one for each connection. You only need the address for the connection you are actually using. If you are plugged in with a cable, use the Ethernet address. If you are on Wi-Fi, use the wireless address.

If you see an address that starts with 169.254, that means your device is not properly connected to your network. This usually happens when your router is not turned on, or when your Wi-Fi password is wrong. Disconnect and reconnect to your network, wait a few seconds, and run ipconfig again.

Finding your public IP address instead

The address ipconfig shows you is your local IP address — it only works on your home network. If you need your public IP address (the one the internet sees when you browse websites), Command Prompt cannot show you that directly. Your public IP address comes from your internet service provider and changes periodically.

To find your public IP address, open a web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address". Any of the results will show you the address that websites see. You rarely need this for home network setup, but it is useful if you are troubleshooting internet connectivity or setting up remote access to your home network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means the address can change when you restart your device or after a certain amount of time passes. If you need a device to always have the same address (like a printer or security camera), you can set a static IP address in your router settings instead of using DHCP.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your local IP address (the 192.168 one) is only visible on your home network, so sharing it is not a security risk. Your public IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so that is not a secret either. Neither one gives someone access to your files or passwords.

What if ipconfig does not show any address?

If you see "Media disconnected" instead of an IP address, your device is not connected to the network. Check that your Wi-Fi is turned on, or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in. Restart your router and wait 30 seconds, then run ipconfig again.

Can I change my IP address from Command Prompt?

You cannot change your local IP address directly from Command Prompt. You can set a static address in your router settings, or you can change it in your network settings by going to Settings > Network > Advanced > IP settings. Most home networks work fine with automatic addresses, so you only need to change this if a device needs to stay at the same address.