Your IP address is the number your internet provider assigns to your home network

An IP address is a set of numbers separated by periods — something like 192.168.1.5 or 203.0.113.42 — that identifies your device on the internet. Your internet provider assigns one to your home network, and your router assigns different ones to each device connected to it. You have two IP addresses that matter: the one your provider gave your home (your public IP), and the one your router gave your specific device (your private IP). Knowing both helps you troubleshoot network problems and understand what information is visible when you browse.

Finding your current IP address takes less than a minute and requires no special software. The method depends on which number you need and what device you are using.

Key Takeaways

  • Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them.
  • Your private IP address is assigned by your router and is only visible to devices on your home network.
  • You can find your public IP by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com or by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • You can find your private IP by opening your network settings on Windows, Mac, or your phone without needing to visit any website.
  • Your public IP changes when your internet provider reassigns it, which can happen after a power outage or every few months depending on your provider's policy.

Finding your public IP address in a web browser

Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees. Websites log it, your internet provider tracks it, and it is the number that identifies your home to the rest of the world. The fastest way to see it is to open any web browser and visit a site designed to show it to you.

Open your browser and go to whatismyipaddress.com. The page will display your public IP address at the top in large text, usually within a few seconds. You do not need to click anything or enter information — the site detects it automatically. Other sites that do the same thing include myip.com and iplocation.net. All three are free and show the same information.

You can also search "what is my IP" in Google, Bing, or any search engine, and the answer will appear at the top of the results page without needing to visit a separate website. This method works on phones, tablets, and computers.

Finding your private IP address on Windows

Your private IP address is the number your router assigned to your specific device. It is only visible to other devices on your home network, not to websites or the outside internet. You need this number if you are troubleshooting a connection problem or trying to access your router's settings.

On Windows, open the Start menu and type cmd. Click on Command Prompt when it appears. In the black window that opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your network name or "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable. Find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your private IP address. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status. Scroll down and click "View your network properties." Your private IP address appears next to "IPv4 address."

Finding your private IP address on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Click Network. Select your connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected. Your private IP address appears in the window under "IP Address." It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.

If you are connected to Wi-Fi, you can also click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top, hold down the Option key, and click your network name. A dropdown menu will show your private IP address.

Finding your IP address on phones and tablets

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to your network name. Your private IP address appears under "IP Address."

On an Android phone, open Settings, tap Network & Internet or Connections, then Wi-Fi. Tap the network you are connected to. Your private IP address appears under "IP address." Some Android versions label this section differently, but it is always in the Wi-Fi settings.

Why you have two different IP addresses

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider to your home network as a whole. Every device in your house shares it when communicating with the outside internet. Your private IP address is assigned by your router to each individual device. This system lets your router manage traffic between your devices and the internet without the outside world needing to know about your individual computers, phones, or tablets.

Think of it like a mailing address. Your public IP is your street address — it tells the internet where your home is. Your private IP is like an apartment number inside that building — it tells your router which device inside your home should receive the data.

When and why your IP address changes

Your public IP address can change without warning. Most internet providers use dynamic IP assignment, meaning they do not lock your address permanently. Your IP may change after a power outage, after you restart your modem, or straightforward because your provider's system reassigned it. Some providers change customer IPs every few months as routine maintenance.

Your private IP address is more stable. Your router assigns it based on a pattern and usually gives the same device the same private IP each time it connects. However, it can change if you restart your router or if your router's settings are reset.

If you need your public IP to stay the same — for example, if you are running a server from home — you can contact your internet provider and ask about a static IP address. Most providers offer this as an add-on service for a monthly fee, though some include it in higher-tier plans.

What information your IP address reveals

Your public IP address reveals your approximate location — usually your city or region, sometimes more precisely depending on the database. It does not reveal your street address or which specific house is yours. Websites can see your public IP, but your private IP remains hidden from the outside internet.

Your internet provider can always see both your public and private IP addresses because they manage the connection. Your router keeps a record of which private IPs it assigned to which devices. This is why your router's settings are worth protecting — someone with access to your router can see what devices are on your network and monitor their activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your device or network on the internet. Your Wi-Fi password is a separate code that lets devices connect to your router. You need the password to join the network, but the IP address is assigned after you connect.

Can someone find my home address from my IP address?

No. Your public IP reveals your general location — usually your city — but not your street address or which house is yours. Your internet provider knows your address because you gave it to them when you signed up, but websites and other internet users cannot find it from your IP alone.

Why does my IP address show a different city than where I actually live?

IP location databases are not perfectly accurate. Your provider may route your connection through a server in another city, or the database may have outdated information. This is normal and does not mean your connection is routed through that city in reality.

Do I need to hide my public IP address?

For most people, no. Your public IP is visible to every website you visit and is not sensitive information by itself. If you want to hide it for privacy reasons, you can use a VPN service, though this is optional for typical home internet use.

What should I do if I find an unfamiliar IP address on my network?

Log into your router's settings and check the list of connected devices. Most routers show which devices are currently connected and their private IP addresses. If you see a device you do not recognize, you can disconnect it or change your Wi-Fi password to prevent it from reconnecting.