Your IP address is in your network settings, not your browser

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on your home network and on the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by periods — for example, 192.168.1.5. You will not see it in your browser's address bar. Instead, you find it in your device's network settings, and the exact location depends on whether you are using Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a router.

There are two IP addresses you might need: your local IP address (the one your device uses inside your home network) and your public IP address (the one the internet sees). For most home network troubleshooting, you need the local one. For checking if your internet provider has changed your address or for security reasons, you need the public one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is in your device's network settings, not your browser — Windows and Mac have different paths to find it.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) appears on websites like whatismyipaddress.com, but you do not need it for most home network setup.
  • Your router also has its own IP address, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, which you use to log in and change network settings.
  • If you are setting up a find home network, you need your local IP address to identify which device is which on your network.

Finding your local IP address on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how your computer connects. Then click on the network name you are connected to. Scroll down until you see "IPv4 address" — that is your local IP address.

If you prefer the command line, you can also open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Windows search bar), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" in the results — it will be under the network adapter you are using. This method is faster once you know where to look, and it shows you more detail about your network connection.

Finding your local IP address on Mac

On Mac, click the Apple menu and go to System Settings. Click Network on the left side. Select the network connection you are using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Your local IP address appears next to "IP Address" in the window that opens.

If you use the Terminal instead, open Applications > Utilities > Terminal, type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by a number — that is your local IP address. The Terminal method shows you the same information as System Settings but in a different format.

Finding your IP address on iPhone and Android

On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the network name you are connected to. Your local IP address appears under "IP Address" in the details section. This only works when you are connected to Wi-Fi — cellular connections have a different address that you cannot see on the phone itself.

On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status (or Network on some phones). Your local IP address appears as "IP Address." On some Android versions, you may need to go to Settings > Wi-Fi, long-press the network name, and tap "Manage" to see the address. The exact path varies by manufacturer, but it is always in the network or Wi-Fi section.

Finding your router's IP address

Your router has its own IP address, separate from your device's address. This is the address you use to log into your router and change settings like your Wi-Fi password or security options. The default address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but it can vary by manufacturer.

To find your router's actual address, look at the sticker on the back or bottom of the router — it often lists the address, username, and password. If the sticker is missing or unclear, you can find it through your device's network settings. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "Default Gateway" — that is your router's address. On Mac, go to System Settings > Network and look for "Router" in the details.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and internet services see when you connect to them. It is different from your local IP address and is assigned by your internet provider. To see it, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any search engine — the address will appear at the top of the results.

You do not need your public IP address for home network setup, but it is useful to know if you are troubleshooting internet issues or if you want to check whether your provider has changed your address. Your public IP address can change over time, especially if your internet connection drops and reconnects. If you need a stable public address for remote access or security reasons, you can contact your internet provider about a static IP, though this usually costs extra.

Why you need to know your IP address for network security

When you set up a find home network, you need to identify each device by its local IP address. This lets you assign different security rules to different devices — for example, restricting your children's devices to certain times or blocking specific devices from accessing sensitive areas of your network. Your router's settings page uses IP addresses to track which device is which.

Knowing your IP address also helps you spot problems. If a device is not connecting properly, you can check whether it has been assigned an address at all. If you see an unfamiliar IP address on your network, it may indicate an unauthorized device has connected. Most routers show a list of connected devices with their IP addresses, which you can check from your router's settings page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between my local IP and public IP?

Your local IP address is used only inside your home network — it identifies your device to your router and other devices at home. Your public IP address is what the internet sees and is assigned by your internet provider. You need your local IP for home network setup; your public IP matters mainly for internet troubleshooting.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP address can be changed through your router settings, though most people do not need to. Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and changes automatically over time, but you cannot control when. If you need a stable public address, contact your provider about a static IP option.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on a network. Your MAC address is a different identifier that is built into your device's hardware. Both appear in your network settings, but they serve different purposes — your router uses MAC addresses to track devices physically, and IP addresses to route data.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses in my network settings?

If you have multiple network adapters (for example, Wi-Fi and Ethernet), each one has its own IP address. You only use the address for the connection you are actually using. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, use the Wi-Fi IP address; if you are plugged in with Ethernet, use the Ethernet address.