What your IP address is and why you might need it

Your IP address is a number assigned to your device that lets websites and services know where to send information back to you. It looks like four numbers separated by dots — something like 192.168.1.5 or 203.0.113.42. You have two kinds: a private IP address (used only on your home network) and a public IP address (the one the internet sees).

You might need to find your IP address to troubleshoot a slow internet connection, set up a printer on your home network, give tech support someone a number to work with, or check what address a website sees when you visit it. Most of the time you do not need it, but when you do, the steps are straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • Your public IP address is what websites see, and you can find it in under a minute by visiting a site like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io.
  • Your private IP address is used only on your home network and is found differently depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig; on Mac, go to System Settings > Network and look for the address listed there.
  • If you are checking your IP to troubleshoot a connection problem, write down both your public and private addresses before contacting your internet provider.

Finding your public IP address (what the internet sees)

Your public IP address is the one your internet service provider assigns to your home or device, and it is what websites record when you visit them. The fastest way to see it is to visit a website that displays it back to you.

Go to whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io in any web browser. The page will show your public IP address within a second or two, usually near the top of the page in large text. You do not need to enter anything or click anything — the site detects your address automatically the moment you load it. Other sites that do the same thing include myip.com and iplocation.net.

If you want to see what information is publicly visible alongside your IP address, these same sites often show your approximate location (usually accurate to your city or region, not your street), your internet service provider name, and sometimes the type of device or browser you are using. This is the same information a website owner can see in their server logs.

Finding your private IP address on Windows

Your private IP address is the one your home router assigns to your specific device. You need this if you are setting up a printer, configuring network storage, or troubleshooting connection problems with a specific computer.

Open the Command Prompt process. On Windows 10 or 11, press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window will open. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of information will appear. Look for the section labeled with your network name (usually something like "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter"). Next to "IPv4 Address" you will see a number like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.3 — that is your private IP address.

Write this number down if you need it for troubleshooting or setup. It may change if you restart your router or if your router is set to reassign addresses, but it usually stays the same for weeks or months at a time.

Finding your private IP address on Mac

On a Mac, finding your private IP address takes a few clicks through the system settings.

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the left sidebar. Select the network you are connected to — usually Wi-Fi if you are on wireless, or Ethernet if you are plugged in with a cable. On the right side of the window, you will see IP Address listed with a number next to it. That is your private IP address.

Finding your private IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your private IP address will appear on the next line. If you are connected to multiple networks, you may see more than one address listed — the first one is usually the one you need.

Alternatively, you can type ip addr show for more detailed information about all your network connections and their addresses.

What to do with your IP address once you have it

If you are troubleshooting an internet problem, write down both your public IP address and your private IP address before you contact your internet service provider. The support person may ask for your public address to look up your account, and they may ask for your private address to help you reconfigure your router or network settings.

If you are setting up a device on your home network — like a printer, security camera, or network storage — you will use the private IP address to reach that device from your computer. You type the address into your web browser's address bar (for example, 192.168.1.100) and it takes you to that device's settings page.

If you are concerned about privacy and want to know what information websites can see about you, your public IP address is the main piece. Websites cannot see your name, email, or browsing history from your IP address alone, but they can see your approximate location and your internet provider. If you want to hide your public IP address from websites, you would use a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool not covered here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my router?

Your public IP address may change, but it depends on your internet service provider's settings. Some providers assign the same public address for months; others change it every few days. Your private IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router multiple times or your router is set to reassign addresses automatically.

Is it dangerous to share your IP address?

Sharing your public IP address alone is not dangerous — websites already see it every time you visit. However, do not share it with strangers online or post it publicly, because someone with your IP address and other information could attempt to target your network. Your private IP address should never be shared outside your home network.

Why do I have more than one IP address?

You have a public IP address (assigned by your internet provider) and a private IP address (assigned by your router). If you have multiple devices, each one has its own private IP address on your home network. Some devices may also have addresses for different types of connections — for example, one for Wi-Fi and one for Ethernet if you plug in a cable.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can restart your router to request a new public IP address from your internet provider, though there is no may provide it will change. You can usually change your private IP address through your router's settings, but most people do not need to — the default setup works fine for home use.