Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on your home network

An IP address is a set of numbers separated by periods — something like 192.168.1.5 — that acts as your computer's address on your network. Every device connected to your router gets one. You need to know your computer's IP address when you're setting up network security, troubleshooting connection problems, or configuring devices to talk to each other.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but in each case you're looking for what's called a "local" or "private" IP address — the one your router assigned to your machine, not the address your internet provider assigned to your whole house.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users should go to System Settings, click Network, select their connection, and look for the IP address listed there.
  • Linux users can open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to see all connected devices' addresses.
  • Your IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and changes only when you restart your router or manually reassign it.
  • Write down your computer's IP address if you plan to use it for port forwarding, remote access, or device-to-device communication.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt into the search box, then click the result. A black window will open. Type the word ipconfig (all lowercase) and press Enter.

You'll see a block of information. Look for the section labeled with your connection type — usually "Ethernet adapter" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on WiFi. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your computer's local IP address on your network. It will look something like 192.168.1.42 or 10.0.0.15.

If you see multiple adapters listed, you only need the one that shows "Connected" status. Leave the Command Prompt window open if you need to reference the address again, or write it down.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the left sidebar.

You'll see a list of connection types on the left — usually "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet". Click whichever one you're currently using. On the right side of the window, you'll see connection details. Look for the line labeled IP Address. That's your computer's local address on your network.

If you're connected via WiFi, you can also click the WiFi icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, hold down the Option key, and click your network name — the IP address will appear in the dropdown menu.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The keyboard shortcut is usually Ctrl+Alt+T, though this varies by distribution. Once the terminal is open, type hostname -I and press Enter. Your computer will display its IP address when ready.

If that command doesn't work, try ip addr instead. This will show more detailed information about all your network connections. Look for the section labeled "inet" under your active connection — the number next to it is your IP address.

Some Linux systems also let you find this through the graphical interface: open Settings, click Network, and select your connection to see the IP address displayed there.

Understanding what your IP address tells you

Your local IP address starts with certain numbers that indicate your router's setup. Most home routers use addresses starting with 192.168 or 10.0. The last number or two usually changes from device to device — your phone might be 192.168.1.10 while your computer is 192.168.1.42.

This address is assigned by your router and can change if you restart the router or if your device disconnects and reconnects. If you need the address to stay the same — for example, to set up port forwarding or remote access — you can usually configure your router to assign a "static" IP address to that specific device. Check your router's settings page (usually accessed by typing 192.168.1.1 into a web browser) for a section on DHCP or static IP assignment.

When you need to know your IP address

You'll need your computer's IP address in several network security and troubleshooting situations. If you're setting up port forwarding on your router to let external devices reach a service on your computer, you'll enter this address into the router's configuration. If you want to access your computer remotely from another device on the network, you'll use this address to connect.

It's also useful for troubleshooting. If a device can't find your computer on the network, you can ping the IP address to confirm the device is reachable. If you're assigning static IP addresses to multiple devices for consistent network behavior, you'll need to know which addresses are already in use.

Keeping your IP address stable

By default, your router assigns IP addresses temporarily using a system called DHCP. Your computer gets a new address each time it connects, though in practice it usually gets the same one back. If you need the address to never change, log into your router's settings page and look for DHCP settings or a section on static IP assignment.

Most routers let you either reserve a specific address for your computer's MAC address (a hardware identifier), or let you manually assign a static address within a safe range. The exact steps depend on your router model, but the settings are usually under Advanced or LAN settings. Assigning a static address is especially useful if you're running a home server, setting up network storage, or configuring devices that need to find your computer by address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my internet provider's address?

No. Your computer's local IP address (192.168.1.x) is assigned by your router and only works on your home network. Your internet provider assigns a different address to your router itself, which is what websites see when you browse. You can find your public IP by searching "what is my IP" in a web browser.

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Usually not — your router will assign the same address back. It only changes if you restart the router itself, or if your computer is disconnected from the network for a long time. If you need it to never change, configure a static IP address in your router's settings.

Can I change my IP address manually?

Yes, but it's not usually necessary. You can configure a static IP in your router's DHCP settings, or in your computer's network settings directly. However, if you pick an address that conflicts with another device, you'll lose network connectivity — it's safer to let your router manage it or use the router's static IP reservation feature.

What if I can't find the IP address after running ipconfig or ip addr?

Make sure your device is actually connected to the network — check that WiFi is enabled or the ethernet cable is plugged in. If you're connected but still don't see an address, your router may not be assigning one correctly. Restart both your computer and your router, wait 30 seconds, and try again.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you plan to use it for something specific, like port forwarding or remote access. For everyday use, you don't need to remember it. If you need it again later, you can always look it up the same way you did the first time.