Finding your IP address depends on whether you need the one your internet provider assigned (your public IP) or the one your router gave your computer (your local IP)

Your public IP address is what websites see when you visit them — it's assigned by your internet service provider and changes occasionally. Your local IP address is what your router uses to talk to your computer on your home network — it stays the same until you restart or your router reassigns it. Most people need their local IP when troubleshooting a printer or router, or when setting up a device on their home network. You'll need your public IP if you're diagnosing connection problems with your internet provider or checking if you're being blocked by a website.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local IP address is found in your network settings on Windows (Settings > Network > Advanced network options > View your network properties) or Mac (System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details).
  • Your public IP address appears instantly on websites like whatismyipaddress.com or icanhazip.com, which show what the internet sees when you connect.
  • On Windows, you can also type ipconfig in Command Prompt to see both your local IP and gateway address in seconds.
  • On Mac, typing ifconfig in Terminal shows your local IP address alongside other network details.
  • Your local IP usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0, while your public IP is a different number that changes when you restart your modem.

Finding your local IP on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is to open Command Prompt and type one command. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" — that's your local IP. It will look something like 192.168.1.100. You'll also see "Default Gateway" on the next line, which is your router's address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can find it in Settings instead. Open Settings, go to Network & internet, then select Advanced network options. Scroll down and click "View your network properties." Look for the section labeled "IPv4 address" — that's your local IP.

Finding your local IP on Mac

Open System Settings and click Network on the left side. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list, then click Details. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" at the top of the window. It will look similar to Windows addresses, usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0.

If you want to use Terminal instead, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type terminal, and press Enter. Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled "en0" (for Wi-Fi) or "en1" (for Ethernet). Your local IP is listed next to "inet" — ignore the longer address next to "inet6" unless you specifically need IPv6.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP is what the internet sees, and the easiest way to find it is to visit a website that displays it. Go to whatismyipaddress.com or icanhazip.com in any browser. Your public IP appears immediately at the top of the page. You don't need to do anything — the site automatically detects it from your connection.

These sites are safe and don't store your information or track you. They simply show you what any website you visit can see about your connection. If you want to verify the information, you can visit multiple sites and confirm they show the same IP address.

Why your IP address changes and when it matters

Your public IP changes when you restart your modem or when your internet provider reassigns it, which can happen days or weeks apart depending on your provider. Your local IP usually stays the same unless you restart your router or your router runs out of addresses to assign (rare in home networks). Most people don't need to worry about these changes unless they're setting up port forwarding, running a home server, or troubleshooting a specific device.

If a website blocks your IP address, restarting your modem will give you a new public IP and may unblock you — though some providers cycle through a limited set of addresses, so you might get blocked again. If you need a stable public IP for work or remote access, contact your internet provider to ask about static IP options, which usually cost extra.

What to do if you can't find your IP address

If Command Prompt or Terminal shows an error, your network connection may be disconnected. Check that your Wi-Fi is on and connected, or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in. If you see multiple IP addresses listed, look for the one that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 — that's your local IP. Addresses starting with 169.254 mean your computer couldn't reach your router.

If a website won't load when you try to check your public IP, your internet connection itself may be down. Restart your modem by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart. Then try the website again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address private or can other people see it?

Your public IP is visible to every website you visit and every service you connect to online — it's how they send information back to you. Your local IP is only visible to devices on your home network. Neither one reveals your home address or personal identity by itself, but your internet provider knows which public IP belongs to your account.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig?

You may have multiple network connections — one for Wi-Fi, one for Ethernet, one for a virtual network, or one for a VPN. Look for the connection you're actually using (usually labeled "Wireless LAN adapter" for Wi-Fi or "Ethernet adapter" for wired). The IPv4 address next to that connection is the one you need.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your local IP by accessing your router's settings (usually at 192.168.1.1 in a browser), though most people don't need to. Your public IP changes automatically when you restart your modem. If you need a permanent public IP, contact your internet provider about static IP service.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.100 and are the standard most devices use. IPv6 addresses are much longer (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) and are slowly replacing IPv4 as the internet runs out of IPv4 addresses. Most home networks use IPv4, and you only need IPv6 if a specific service requires it.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Sharing your public IP with someone you trust is generally safe — it doesn't give them access to your computer or files. However, don't post it publicly online, as it could be used to target you with attacks or to look up your approximate location. Never share your local IP with people outside your home network.