Your IP address is shown in your network settings, and the fastest way to find it depends on your operating system

Your IP address is a number that identifies your computer on your home network and the internet — like a mailing address for data. It looks like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.100 or something similar. You need it to troubleshoot network problems, set up port forwarding, or restrict which devices can connect to your router.

The location of this information differs between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but you can find it in under a minute using built-in tools. You have two useful numbers: your local IP address (the one your router assigns, used only inside your home network) and your public IP address (the one the internet sees, assigned by your internet provider). Most of the time you need the local one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address appears in Windows Settings under Network, on Mac in System Settings under Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and on Linux in the terminal with the ip addr command.
  • The fastest Windows method is to open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for "IPv4 Address" under your active connection.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) is different from your local one and appears on websites like whatismyipaddress.com.
  • If you see an address starting with 192.168 or 10.0, that is your local IP; if you see something else on a website, that is your public IP.

Finding your IP address in Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your local IP address. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it for router settings.

If you prefer the graphical method, go to Settings, select Network & Internet, then choose your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Your IP address appears on that page under "IP address". Both methods show the same number; Command Prompt is just faster.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then click Network on the left side. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Your IP address appears on the right side of the window next to "IP Address". On older versions of macOS, this is in System Preferences instead of System Settings, but the location is the same.

If you want to use the terminal instead, open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by a number — that is your local IP address. The terminal method shows more detail but the graphical method is simpler for most people.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip addr and press Enter. Your local IP address appears next to "inet" in the output. It is usually listed under your active network interface (often called eth0 for wired or wlan0 for Wi-Fi). The number you want starts with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16.

Some older Linux systems use ifconfig instead of ip addr. If ip addr does not work, try ifconfig. Both commands show the same information; ip addr is the newer standard.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and only works inside your home network. It is what you use to log into your router settings or connect to a printer on your Wi-Fi. This is the address you found in the steps above.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. To find your public IP, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any search engine. Your public IP changes periodically (usually every few days to weeks) unless you pay for a static IP from your provider. Your local IP stays the same unless you manually change it or your router restarts and reassigns it.

Why you need your IP address for home network security

Knowing your local IP address helps you access your router's settings to change your Wi-Fi password, update firmware, or see which devices are connected. It also lets you set up port forwarding if you run a server or game, and it helps you troubleshoot network problems by identifying which device is having issues.

Write down or save your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) separately from your computer's IP address. Your router's address is what you type into a browser to log in and change settings. Your computer's IP address is what identifies your specific machine on the network.

What to do if your IP address keeps changing

Your router assigns local IP addresses using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which means the address can change when your computer restarts or reconnects to Wi-Fi. If you need a stable IP address for port forwarding or accessing your computer remotely, you can assign a static IP in your router settings.

Log into your router (type its IP address into a browser), find the DHCP or Local Network settings, and look for an option to reserve an IP address for your computer's MAC address. Your computer's MAC address is a unique identifier shown in the same network settings where you found your IP address. Once reserved, your computer will always get the same local IP address.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your local IP (192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) only works inside your home network. Your public IP is what the internet sees and is usually a different number. You need your local IP for router access and home network troubleshooting; your public IP matters for remote access or if a website is blocking your location.

Why does my IP address change every time I restart?

Your router uses DHCP to assign addresses automatically, and it may give your computer a different one each time. If you need the same address every time, reserve a static IP in your router settings by linking it to your computer's MAC address. This keeps your IP stable without manual changes.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can assign a static local IP in your router settings, but you cannot change your public IP directly — that comes from your internet provider. If you need a different public IP, restart your modem and wait a few minutes, or contact your provider about a static IP service (usually paid).

What if I cannot find my IP address using these steps?

Make sure you are connected to your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). If you are offline, you will not have a local IP. Try restarting your computer or reconnecting to Wi-Fi, then repeat the steps. If the address still does not appear, your network adapter may need a driver update.