The quickest way to find your IP address

The fastest method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. On Windows, open the Command Prompt (search "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" — that is your local IP address, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.

On Mac, open System Preferences, click Network, select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and your IP address appears in the window. On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see your local address, or curl ifconfig.me to see your public IP.

If you need your public IP address instead — the one your internet provider assigns to your whole network — visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com or icanhazip.com in any web browser. The page displays your public IP immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address (what devices on your home network use to find your computer) appears in Command Prompt on Windows after typing ipconfig.
  • Your public IP address (what the internet sees) is different from your local one and can be found by visiting a public IP lookup website.
  • Mac users find their local IP in System Preferences under Network, while Linux users can type hostname -I in a terminal.
  • The address you need depends on whether you are troubleshooting a home network problem or checking what the outside internet sees.

Local IP versus public IP — which one do you need

Your computer actually has two IP addresses. Your local IP address is what other devices on your home network use to talk to your computer — printers, phones, other computers. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when your computer connects outward.

If you are setting up a printer, connecting to a shared drive, or troubleshooting a device that will not connect to your computer, you need the local address. If you are checking what your internet provider sees, testing a VPN, or investigating why a website thinks you are in a different location, you need the public address.

The local address usually starts with 192.168, 10, or 172.16. The public address is assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically unless you pay for a static IP.

Finding your IP on Windows using Command Prompt

Open the Start menu and type cmd without quotes. Click "Command Prompt" when it appears. Type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of network adapters appears on your screen.

Look for the section labeled with your connection type — "Ethernet adapter" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it is your local IP address. Ignore "IPv6 Address" unless you specifically need IPv6.

If you see multiple adapters listed (for example, if you have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), find the one marked "Default Gateway" with an actual number next to it — that is the connection your computer is actively using.

Finding your IP on Mac and Linux

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer versions), then click "Network". Your active connection appears in the left sidebar — click it. Your local IP address is displayed in the window under "Status" or "TCP/IP".

On Linux, open a terminal window. Type hostname -I and press Enter to see your local IP address. If you need more detail, type ip addr show to see all network interfaces and their addresses. The address you want usually appears next to "inet" and starts with 192.168 or 10.

Both Mac and Linux also let you find your public IP by opening a web browser and visiting any public IP lookup site. The result is the same across all operating systems.

What to do if you see multiple IP addresses

If ipconfig on Windows shows several adapters with different addresses, you likely have multiple network connections. Your computer might have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi enabled, or you might have a VPN running, or you might have virtual network adapters from software like Docker or virtual machines.

The address you need is the one under the adapter you are actually using. If you are connected by Wi-Fi, look under "Wireless LAN adapter". If you are plugged in with a cable, look under "Ethernet adapter". If you are using a VPN and need the address the VPN sees, look for an adapter labeled "TAP" or "OpenVPN" or the name of your VPN software.

If you are unsure which one is active, the simplest check is to unplug your Ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi, run ipconfig again, and see which address disappears. That was the one you were using.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address can change if your router restarts, if you disconnect and reconnect to Wi-Fi, or if your router's DHCP settings cycle addresses. Most home routers assign addresses automatically using DHCP, which means the same device might get a different local IP next time it connects.

Your public IP address changes less often but does shift periodically — usually when your modem restarts or when your internet provider reassigns addresses. If you need a permanent public IP that never changes, you can contact your internet provider about a static IP, though this usually costs extra per month.

For most purposes, these changes do not matter. But if you are setting up a device that needs to always reach your computer at the same address, you can assign a static local IP in your router settings, or you can use your computer's hostname instead of its IP address.

Using your computer's hostname instead of its IP address

Instead of remembering an IP address, you can often use your computer's hostname — a name you give your computer that stays the same even if the IP changes. On Windows, other devices can reach your computer by typing computername.local in a browser or file explorer. On Mac and Linux, the same works with hostname.local.

To find your hostname on Windows, open Command Prompt and type hostname, then press Enter. On Mac, open System Preferences, click Sharing, and your computer name appears at the top. On Linux, type hostname in a terminal.

Using a hostname is often easier than tracking IP addresses, especially if your router reassigns addresses. Many printers, network drives, and other devices work fine with hostnames, so check the device's documentation before assuming you need the numeric IP address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my local IP address private and safe to share?

Your local IP address only works on your home network, so sharing it online is not a security risk. However, do not share your public IP address with strangers, as it can be used to identify your location and internet provider. If you need to give someone remote access to your computer, use a remote access tool like TeamViewer or Windows Remote Desktop instead of sharing your IP.

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of something else?

192.168 is a reserved range that routers use for local networks. Other common ranges are 10.0.0.0 and 172.16.0.0. Your router automatically assigns addresses in one of these ranges to devices on your network. These ranges are never used on the public internet, which is why your local IP is different from your public IP.

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP can be changed in your router settings by assigning a static address to your device, or by restarting your router to force a new DHCP assignment. Your public IP can be changed by restarting your modem or contacting your internet provider. Most people do not need to change either one unless they are troubleshooting a network problem.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses use four numbers separated by periods (like 192.168.1.5) and are the standard most devices still use. IPv6 addresses use longer hexadecimal format (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334) and are the newer standard designed to handle more devices. Most home networks still use IPv4, and you only need IPv6 if a specific service requires it.

Do I need to know my IP address to use the internet?

No. Your computer and router handle IP addresses automatically. You only need to know your IP address if you are setting up a network device, troubleshooting a connection problem, or configuring remote access. For everyday internet use, you never need to look at it.