Your IP address is a number your device uses to talk to other devices on your network and the internet

An IP address is like a mailing address for your device. It tells your router and the internet where to send data meant for you. Every device connected to your network — your laptop, phone, printer, security camera — has one. You need to know your device's IP address when you're setting up your home network, troubleshooting connection problems, or configuring security settings like port forwarding or firewall rules.

There are two types you might encounter. Your private IP address is what your device uses inside your home network — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees when you browse — your internet service provider assigns this one, and it's the same for all devices in your home.

Key Takeaways

  • Your private IP address (the one you need for home network setup) starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and is different for each device on your network.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your private IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network and select your connection to see the IP address in one click.
  • On iPhone or Android, open Settings, find your Wi-Fi network, and tap it to see the IP address labeled "IP Address" or "IPv4 Address".
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) is different from your private one and changes based on your internet service provider.

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that number is your private IP address on your home network. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected, then click on your network name. Scroll down to "IP address" and you'll see the same number.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Click Network. Select the connection you're using — Wi-Fi if you're wireless, Ethernet if you're plugged in. Your private IP address appears when ready on the right side of the window, labeled "IP Address".

You can also use Terminal if you're comfortable with it. Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the line that starts with "inet" under your connection type — that's your private IP address.

Finding your IP address on iPhone and Android

On iPhone, open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you're connected to and tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i" next to the network name). Scroll down to see "IP Address" — that's your private IP on your home network.

On Android, open Settings and go to Wi-Fi. Tap the network you're connected to and hold it until a menu appears. Select "Manage" or "View Details" depending on your phone's version. You'll see "IP address" listed in the network information. If you don't see it on the first screen, look for "Advanced" options.

What to do once you have your IP address

Once you know your device's private IP address, you can use it to access your router's settings, set up port forwarding for specific devices, or configure security rules. Write down the IP address or take a screenshot — it usually stays the same on your home network, but can change if your router restarts or if you're away and reconnect later.

If you need to find your public IP address (the one the outside internet sees), search "what is my IP" in any web browser. A website will display it when ready. This number is assigned by your internet service provider and is the same for all devices in your home when they access the internet.

Why your IP address might change

Your private IP address can change if your router restarts, if you disconnect and reconnect to the network, or if your router's lease time expires. Most home routers set a lease time of 24 hours, meaning your device might get a different private IP address the next day. This usually doesn't cause problems for everyday use, but it matters if you're setting up port forwarding or firewall rules — you may need to update those rules if your IP address changes.

If you want to keep a device's private IP address from changing, you can set a static IP address in your router settings. This tells your router to always give that device the same IP address. This is useful for devices like printers, security cameras, or computers you're using for network setup, but it's not necessary for phones or laptops that move between networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my private IP address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your private IP address (192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) is only used inside your home network. Your public IP address is what websites and the internet see, and it's assigned by your internet service provider. They're completely different numbers.

Why do I need to know my IP address?

You need it to access your router's settings, set up port forwarding, configure firewall rules, or troubleshoot network problems. You also need it if you're setting up a static IP for a device like a printer or security camera that needs to stay in one place on your network.

Will my IP address change if I restart my router?

It might. Your router assigns IP addresses temporarily (usually for 24 hours). After a restart, your device might get the same address or a different one. If you need it to stay the same, set a static IP address in your router settings.

Can someone see my private IP address from the internet?

No. Your private IP address only works inside your home network. The internet only sees your public IP address. Your router acts as a barrier between the two, so your private IP addresses are hidden from outside.

What if I can't find the IP address on my device?

Make sure you're connected to your network first — you can't see an IP address if you're not connected. If you're still stuck, restart your device and try again. On Windows, make sure Command Prompt is running as administrator. On mobile, try forgetting the network and reconnecting.