The fastest way depends on your operating system

Your computer's IP address is a string of numbers that identifies it on a network — like a mailing address for data. Finding it takes less than a minute and requires no special tools. On Windows, you open Command Prompt and type a single command. On Mac, you go to System Settings. On Linux, you open a terminal and run a command. The method you use depends only on what you have installed.

Most people need their local IP address — the one your computer uses inside your home or office network. This is different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you visit them. This guide covers finding your local IP address, which is what you need for most home troubleshooting and device setup.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the line labeled "IPv4 Address" under your network adapter.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and your IP address appears in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to see all your IP addresses.
  • Your local IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and changes only when you restart your computer or reconnect to the network.
  • If you need your public IP address instead, you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search box. Click the Command Prompt application when it appears. A black window will open with a cursor blinking inside.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will display a list of network adapters and their settings. Look for the section labeled "Ethernet adapter" or "Wireless LAN adapter" — whichever one you use to connect to the internet. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105.

If you have multiple network adapters listed, you only need the one you are actually using. If you are connected by Wi-Fi, look under the wireless adapter. If you are plugged in with an Ethernet cable, look under the Ethernet adapter.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings". In the sidebar on the left, click "Network". You will see a list of connection types — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or others depending on what you have.

Click the connection you are currently using. A details pane will open on the right side of the window. Your IP address appears near the top, labeled "IP Address". It will look something like 192.168.1.105. If you do not see it immediately, scroll down slightly in the details pane.

If you are connected to Wi-Fi, make sure you click the Wi-Fi entry in the list. If you are using Ethernet, click that instead. The IP address shown is only for the connection you select.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. The method varies by desktop environment, but you can usually right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal", or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your terminal will display one or more IP addresses. The first one is usually your local IP address. If you want more detail about which address belongs to which network adapter, type ip addr instead. This shows each adapter and its IP address in a more detailed format.

On most Linux systems, your local IP address will start with 192.168 or 10.0. If you see an address starting with 127.0, that is your computer talking to itself and not what you need.

What to do if you see multiple IP addresses

Some computers have more than one network adapter — for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet built in, or a virtual network adapter for specific software. When you run these commands, you may see several IP addresses listed.

The one you need is the address for the connection you are actually using right now. If you are on Wi-Fi, ignore the Ethernet address. If you are plugged in with a cable, ignore the Wi-Fi address. Look for the adapter name in the output — it will tell you which is which — and use the address next to the one you are using.

Virtual adapters and loopback addresses (starting with 127.0) are not your real local IP address and can be ignored for most purposes.

Understanding what your IP address tells you

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and is unique only within your home or office network. It typically starts with 192.168 or 10.0, followed by more numbers. This address stays the same until you restart your computer or disconnect and reconnect to the network.

Your public IP address — the one websites see — is different and is assigned by your internet service provider. You can find your public IP address by opening any web browser and searching for "what is my IP". That address changes less often and is not something you need to find through your computer's settings.

Most home troubleshooting — setting up a printer, accessing a security camera, or configuring a router — uses your local IP address, not your public one. That is why the methods above focus on finding your local address.

Why you might need your IP address

You need your local IP address when you are setting up a device on your home network, like a printer or security camera. You enter the IP address into your web browser to access that device's settings page. You also need it if you are troubleshooting network problems and a technician asks for it, or if you are configuring port forwarding on your router.

You need your public IP address much less often. Websites automatically know it when you visit them. You only need to find it if you are setting up remote access to your computer from outside your home, or if you are reporting a problem to a website or service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Usually not. Your router assigns the same local IP address to your computer each time you connect, so restarting normally keeps the same address. However, if your router is restarted or if your computer is disconnected from the network for a long time, you may get a different address when you reconnect.

What if I see "No Internet" but still have an IP address?

Having an IP address does not mean you are connected to the internet. Your computer can have a local IP address on your home network but still have no connection to the outside world. Check that your router is connected to your modem, and that your modem shows an active internet connection light.

Can I change my local IP address?

You can, but you usually should not. Your router assigns it automatically, and changing it manually can cause connection problems. If you need a device to always have the same IP address, you can configure your router to reserve that address for that device instead of changing the address itself.

Is my local IP address the same as my hostname?

No. Your hostname is a name like "James-MacBook" or "Desktop-PC". Your IP address is a number. They are different ways to identify your computer. On Linux, the hostname -I command shows your IP address, while hostname alone shows your computer's name.

Why do some IP addresses start with 192.168 and others with 10.0?

Both are valid local IP address ranges. Your router chooses which range to use when it assigns addresses. Most home routers use 192.168, but some use 10.0 or 172.16. The range does not matter for your purposes — either one is a local address that works only inside your network.