What an IP address is and why you might need to find yours

Your IP address is a number that identifies your device on the internet, similar to how a mailing address identifies your home. Every device connected to the internet — your computer, phone, tablet, or printer — has one. You might need to find it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer on your home network, or give technical support someone the information they need to help you.

There are two types: your public IP address is what websites see when you visit them, and your private IP address is what devices on your home network use to talk to each other. Most of the time, when someone asks for your IP address, they mean the private one.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your private IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for "IP Address" in the details.
  • On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, select your network, and the IP address appears under the network name.
  • On Android, go to Settings, tap About Phone, then Status or Network, and scroll to find "IP Address".
  • To find your public IP address, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in any search engine.

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Right-click the Start button, select "Command Prompt" or "Windows PowerShell", and type ipconfig then press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that number is your private IP address on your network.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, click on your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and scroll down to see "IP address" listed under your connection details.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Open System Settings and click Network in the sidebar. Select the connection you are using — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and the details panel on the right will show your IP address near the top.

Alternatively, you can use Terminal. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the line that starts with "inet" under your active connection — that is your private IP address.

Finding your IP address on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you are connected to and tap the information icon (a circle with an "i") next to the network name. Your IP address appears in the list of details under "IP Address".

This only shows your private IP address on your home or work network. If you need your public IP address from your phone, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" — the results will display it.

Finding your IP address on Android

Open Settings and scroll to find "About phone" or "About device" at the bottom. Tap it, then look for "Status" or "Network" (the exact name varies by phone maker). Scroll through the options until you see "IP Address" — that is your private address on your current network.

Some Android phones also show this information in Settings under Network & Internet or Wi-Fi. If you cannot find it in one place, try the other. For your public IP address, use a web browser to search "what is my IP".

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what the outside internet sees. To find it, open any web browser and search "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The page will display your public IP address when ready — no login or read needed.

Your public IP address changes periodically (usually when your internet service provider assigns you a new one, which can happen weekly or monthly depending on your provider). Your private IP address on your home network stays the same until you manually change it or restart your router.

When you need each type of IP address

Use your private IP address when setting up devices on your home network — connecting a printer, security camera, or smart speaker to Wi-Fi, or when a tech support person asks you to check your network settings. This address only works within your home network.

Use your public IP address when reporting a problem to your internet service provider, when a website or online service needs to identify you, or when troubleshooting access issues with services outside your home. This is the address the wider internet uses to find your connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different number that identifies your device on a local network, while your IP address identifies your connection to the internet. They serve different purposes and look different — MAC addresses use letters and numbers separated by colons, while IP addresses are four numbers separated by periods.

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your public IP address changes because your internet service provider reassigns addresses periodically. Your private IP address on your home network usually stays the same unless you restart your router or manually change it in your router settings. If your private address keeps changing unexpectedly, check your router's DHCP settings.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP address is generally safe — websites already see it when you visit them. Your private IP address is only useful to someone already on your home network. However, avoid posting either address publicly online, as it can make you a target for network scanning or attacks.

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

Make sure you are connected to the network you are checking. If you are on Wi-Fi, confirm you are actually connected (not just in range). On Windows, try restarting Command Prompt as administrator. On Mac, try Terminal again and look carefully for the "inet" line. If you still cannot find it, restart your device and try once more.