Where to find your IP address on Windows

Your PC stores its IP address in the network settings, and you can see it in about 30 seconds. The fastest way on Windows is to open the Command Prompt and type a single command that displays it immediately.

Open the Start menu and type cmd into the search box. Click "Command Prompt" when it appears. In the black window that opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it (usually starting with 192, 10, or 172) is your local IP address. This is the address your PC uses on your home or office network.

If you need your public IP address instead — the one your internet provider assigns to your whole network — search for "what is my IP" in any web browser. The first result will show it. Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them; your local IP is what devices on your network use to find your PC.

Where to find your IP address on Mac

On a Mac, you can find your local IP address through System Settings without opening any terminal or command window. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." Then click "Wi-Fi" in the left sidebar (or "Network" if you are using an older macOS version).

Click "Details" next to the network you are connected to. Your local IP address appears in the window that opens, labeled as "IP Address." If you are connected by ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, click "Ethernet" in the sidebar and follow the same steps. For your public IP address on Mac, use the same method as Windows — search "what is my IP" in Safari or any browser.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for the IPv4 Address line to see your local IP.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then click Details to find your local IP address.
  • Your local IP address (usually 192.x.x.x or 10.x.x.x) is what devices on your network use to reach your PC.
  • Your public IP address is what websites see, and you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Why you might need your IP address

Knowing your PC's IP address is useful for several common tasks. If you are setting up a printer or security camera on your home network, you often need to type your PC's local IP into a web browser to reach its settings. Remote access software also asks for your IP address so someone else can connect to your computer from another location.

If your internet is running slowly or a website is blocking you, your public IP address helps your internet provider or the website's support team understand what is happening. Some people also need their IP address to set up port forwarding on their router, which directs traffic from the internet to a specific device on their network.

The difference between local and public IP addresses

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and only works on your home or office network. Every device connected to your Wi-Fi or ethernet has its own local IP. These addresses usually start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 — they are reserved for private networks and do not route across the internet.

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to the entire internet. When you visit a website, that website logs your public IP, not your local one. Your public IP changes periodically (sometimes daily, sometimes monthly, depending on your provider), while your local IP usually stays the same as long as your PC stays on the same network.

If you are troubleshooting a network problem, you almost always need your local IP. If you are dealing with a website issue or need to give someone remote access to your PC, you need your public IP.

What to do if ipconfig shows multiple IP addresses

If you run ipconfig on Windows and see several IP addresses listed, do not worry — this is normal. Your PC might be connected to multiple networks at once (Wi-Fi and ethernet, for example), or it might have both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.100; IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

Most home networks and older devices still use IPv4, so that is usually the one you need. If you are unsure which address to use, look for the one next to "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or next to "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi. If you still have questions about which address to use, the device or service asking for your IP will usually specify whether it needs IPv4 or IPv6.

Checking your IP address on a mobile device connected to your network

If you need to find the IP address of a phone or tablet on your network instead of your PC, the process is similar but slightly different. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the information icon (i) next to your network name. Your local IP appears under "IP Address." On Android, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, hold down your network name, and tap "Manage." Your IP address is listed there.

These mobile IP addresses work the same way as your PC's local IP — they are only used on your home network. If you are setting up a device that needs to communicate with your phone or tablet, you would use these local addresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same every time I check it?

Your local IP usually stays the same as long as your PC stays connected to the same network and your router does not restart. Your public IP changes periodically — sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly — depending on your internet provider's settings. If you need a permanent public IP for remote access, contact your internet provider about a static IP option, though this usually costs extra.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP can be traced to your city or region, but not to your exact street address. Your internet provider knows which address the IP is assigned to, but websites and strangers online cannot see that information. Your local IP address is completely private — it only works on your home network and is not visible to the internet.

What if ipconfig does not show an IP address?

If you see "169.254.x.x" instead of a normal address, your PC is not connected to the network properly. Restart your router and your PC, then run ipconfig again. If the problem continues, check that your ethernet cable is plugged in or that your Wi-Fi is turned on. If you still see no address, your network adapter may need a driver update.

Do I need to remember my IP address?

You do not need to memorize it. Write it down or take a screenshot when you need it for a specific task, then you can look it up again the next time you need it. Most devices and services that require your IP address will let you look it up on the spot rather than asking you to know it from memory.