How to find your IP address in Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt on your computer and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Your IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" in the results. On Windows, this is the quickest way to see the address your device uses on your network right now.

If you're on a Mac or Linux machine, open Terminal instead and type ifconfig (or ip addr on newer Linux systems), then press Enter. The layout looks different, but the information is the same — your local IP address is listed there.

The address you see is your local IP address — the one your home router assigned to your device. This is different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you visit them. Both are useful to know, but they serve different purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • Type ipconfig in Command Prompt on Windows to see your local IP address next to "IPv4 Address".
  • Type ifconfig or ip addr in Terminal on Mac or Linux to find the same information.
  • The address shown is your local IP — the one your router assigned — not the address websites see.
  • You can find your public IP address by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Understanding what ipconfig actually shows you

When you run ipconfig, Command Prompt displays several pieces of information about your network connection. The line labeled "IPv4 Address" is your local IP address — typically something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.12. This is the address your router uses to identify your device on your home network.

Below that you'll see "Subnet Mask" and "Default Gateway." The subnet mask tells your device which other addresses on the network it can reach directly. The default gateway is usually your router's address — the device that connects your local network to the internet. You don't need to memorize these, but they're there if you need to troubleshoot connection problems.

If you have multiple network adapters (for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), ipconfig shows information for each one. Look for the adapter you're actually using — if you're on Wi-Fi, find the section labeled "Wireless LAN adapter" or similar.

Why you might need your local IP address

Your local IP address matters when you're troubleshooting network problems or setting up devices on your home network. If your printer isn't connecting, for example, you might need to know your computer's IP address to configure it. If you're accessing a security camera or smart home device from inside your home network, you'll often type in an IP address to reach it.

Some routers let you assign the same IP address to a device every time it connects — called a "static IP" — which makes it easier to find that device later. If you're setting that up, you need to know what address your device currently has.

Your local IP address also appears in your router's settings if you need to troubleshoot Wi-Fi problems or check which devices are connected. It's one piece of information that helps you understand what's happening on your own network.

Finding your public IP address instead

Your public IP address is different from your local one. It's the address that websites and online services see when you connect to them. Your internet service provider assigns this address to your router, and it changes periodically — sometimes daily, sometimes less often, depending on your provider.

To find your public IP address, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or "my IP address." Google and other search engines will display it at the top of the results. You can also visit websites like whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io to see your public address and some basic information about it.

You don't need Command Prompt to find your public IP — the browser method is simpler. Command Prompt shows only your local address, which is why the browser search is the standard way to check the public one.

Using ipconfig for other network information

If you add /all to the command — typing ipconfig /all — you get much more detail about your network setup. This shows your MAC address (a unique identifier for your network adapter), your DNS servers, and whether your IP address was assigned automatically or set manually.

If you're having internet connection problems, your IT support person or internet provider might ask you to run ipconfig /all and read them the information. The DNS servers listed there are the computers that translate website names into IP addresses — if those aren't working correctly, websites won't load even if your internet connection is fine.

You can also use ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew to reset your IP address if you're troubleshooting connection issues. These commands tell your router to forget your device's current address and assign a new one. This is a standard first step when your internet stops working.

Differences between Windows, Mac, and Linux commands

Windows uses ipconfig because it's a Windows-specific command. Mac and Linux use ifconfig, which stands for "interface configuration." On newer versions of Linux, ip addr is becoming standard instead of ifconfig, though both usually work.

The information you get is the same across all three — your local IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. The formatting and the exact labels are slightly different, but if you're looking for your IPv4 address, it will be clearly labeled in all three systems.

If you're using a Chromebook or other Linux-based system, open the terminal and try ip addr first. If that doesn't work, ifconfig should. On older Mac systems, ifconfig is the standard command, though newer versions of macOS also support ip addr.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my local IP address the same as my public IP address?

No. Your local IP is assigned by your router and used only on your home network. Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see. They're completely different numbers. Your local address typically starts with 192.168 or 10.0, while your public address is a different number entirely.

Why does my IP address change when I run ipconfig again?

Usually it doesn't — your local IP stays the same until you restart your device or your router reassigns it. If it does change, your router is set to assign addresses automatically (DHCP), which is normal. If you need the same address every time, you can configure a static IP in your router settings.

Can I hide my IP address?

Your local IP address is only visible on your home network, so there's nothing to hide there. Your public IP can be hidden by using a VPN, which routes your internet through another server. However, your internet provider always knows your public IP because they assigned it to you.

What should I do if ipconfig shows "No IP address"?

This usually means your device isn't connected to the network or the connection failed. Check that you're connected to Wi-Fi or plugged in with Ethernet. Restart your device and your router, then run ipconfig again. If it still shows no address, your network adapter may need a driver update or repair.

Do I need to memorize my IP address?

No. You can look it up anytime by running ipconfig. Most people only check it when they're setting up a device or troubleshooting a problem. Write it down if you need it for a specific task, but you don't need to remember it day to day.