Where your IP address lives and why you need it

Your IP address is a number your device uses to talk to other devices on your network and the internet. It looks like four numbers separated by dots — something like 192.168.1.5 on your home network, or a different format on the public internet. You need to find it when you're setting up a router, troubleshooting a connection problem, or giving someone permission to access a device on your network.

Every device connected to your network has its own IP address. Your computer, phone, printer, and smart TV each get one. The address your internet provider gives you (your public IP) is different from the one your router assigns inside your home (your private IP). When you're securing your network or managing devices, you're usually looking for the private one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your private IP address is a four-number sequence your router assigns to each device, and you can find it in your network settings without opening your router.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, and look for IPv4 Address in the Wi-Fi or Ethernet details.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to see all your device's IP addresses.
  • Your public IP address (the one the internet sees) is different from your private one and appears on websites like whatismyipaddress.com.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app. Go to Network & Internet in the left sidebar. If you're connected by Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi; if you're plugged in with an ethernet cable, click Ethernet.

Under your connection name, click Properties. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address — that's your private IP address. It will be four numbers like 192.168.1.100. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need it for router settings or device management.

If you want to see more details, you can also open Command Prompt (press Windows key, type "cmd," and click the app), then type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" in the results. Both methods show the same number.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left and select System Settings. Click Network in the sidebar. Select the connection you're using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on how you're connected.

Your IP address appears in the details pane on the right side, labeled IP Address. It will be a four-number sequence. If you need more information, click Details to see additional network settings.

You can also find it through Terminal if you prefer the command line. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for "inet" followed by your IP address in the results.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter — this shows all IP addresses assigned to your device in one line. For more detailed information, type ip addr and press Enter. Look for lines that start with "inet" followed by a number; that's your IP address.

If you're using a graphical desktop environment like GNOME or KDE, you can also right-click the network icon in your system tray and select connection details or settings. The IP address will be listed there.

Understanding private versus public IP addresses

The address you find in your device settings is your private IP address — it only works inside your home network. Your router translates between this private address and your public IP address, which is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect.

Your public IP address changes periodically (your internet provider assigns a new one every few months or when you restart your modem). You can find your public IP by visiting a website like whatismyipaddress.com or iplocation.net in any web browser. When you're setting up your home network security, you're usually working with the private address — the one you found in your device settings.

What to do once you have your IP address

If you're setting up port forwarding or device access on your router, you'll enter this private IP address into your router's settings. If you're troubleshooting a connection problem, you might need to share it with your internet provider or network support. If you're managing multiple devices on your network, keeping a list of IP addresses helps you identify which device is which.

Some devices (like printers or security cameras) work better when they have a fixed IP address that doesn't change. Your router has a setting called DHCP reservation or static IP that lets you assign the same address to a device every time it connects. You'll need the device's IP address to set this up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address sometimes change?

Your router assigns private IP addresses automatically using a system called DHCP. Devices usually keep the same address, but if a device is offline for a while or your router restarts, it might get a new one. If you need a device to keep the same address, use your router's DHCP reservation feature to lock it in.

Is it dangerous to share my private IP address?

Your private IP address only works inside your home network, so sharing it is generally safe. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit anyway. The real security concern is what you allow through your router's firewall, not the address itself.

What if I see multiple IP addresses when I search?

You might see one address for Wi-Fi and a different one for ethernet if both are connected. You might also see IPv6 addresses (longer format with colons) alongside IPv4 addresses (the four-number format). Use the IPv4 address for most home network tasks unless your router specifically asks for IPv6.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can't change your public IP address directly, but your internet provider will assign you a new one if you restart your modem. For private addresses, your router assigns them automatically, but you can use DHCP reservation to make a device keep the same one, or manually set a static IP in your device's network settings if needed.