The quickest way to find your IP address

Open the Command Prompt on your Windows computer and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Your local IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10. This is the address your computer uses on your home or office network.

If you want to see the IP address the rest of the internet sees (your public IP), search "what is my IP" in any web browser. The first result will show it. Your public IP is assigned by your internet service provider and changes periodically unless you pay for a static IP.

Most people need their local IP address when they're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer, or accessing their router's settings. Your public IP matters when you're checking if your location is being tracked or if you're blocked from a website.

Key Takeaways

  • Type ipconfig in Command Prompt to see your local IP address next to "IPv4 Address".
  • Your local IP (usually 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) is what devices on your network use to find your computer.
  • Your public IP is what websites see, and you can find it by searching "what is my IP" in your browser.
  • You may have both a local and public IP at the same time — they serve different purposes on different networks.

Using Command Prompt to find your local IP

Command Prompt is the fastest method because it shows all your network details in one place. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the section labeled with your network connection name — usually "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi. Next to "IPv4 Address" you'll see four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105. That's your local IP address. Write it down if you need it for printer setup or router access.

If you want more detail, type ipconfig /all instead. This shows your MAC address (a unique identifier for your network card), your DNS servers, and whether your IP was assigned automatically or set manually. Most home computers get their IP automatically from the router.

Finding your IP through Settings

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings shows your local IP too. Press the Windows key and type Settings, then open it. Go to Network & Internet, then select your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

Click on the network you're currently connected to. Scroll down to "Properties" and look for "IPv4 address" — this is your local IP. This method takes a few more clicks than Command Prompt but shows the same information in a visual format.

Understanding what your IP address tells you

Your local IP address is assigned by your router and only devices on your network can see it. It changes if you restart your router or if your computer disconnects and reconnects. The first three numbers (like 192.168.1) identify your network, and the last number identifies your specific computer on that network.

Your public IP is different. It's assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to every website you visit, every email server that receives your messages, and every online service you use. Websites use it to figure out your approximate location, which is why you might see ads targeted to your city or why some websites block access based on geography.

If you're on a corporate network, you might see an IP address that starts with 10 or 172. These are reserved ranges for private networks. You won't be able to reach these addresses from outside the network, which is intentional — they're designed to be internal only.

When you need to know your IP address

You need your local IP when you're setting up a printer on your network — many printers require you to enter your computer's IP to connect. You also need it if you're accessing your router's settings to change your Wi-Fi password or check connected devices. Some games and applications also ask for your local IP when you're hosting a server.

You need your public IP when you're troubleshooting why a website is blocking you, or when you want to check if a VPN is working correctly (your public IP should change when the VPN is on). Some people check their public IP regularly to see if their internet service provider has assigned them a new one.

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6

Most home networks still use IPv4, which is the format you see in Command Prompt — four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.1. IPv6 is the newer format, written as letters and numbers separated by colons, like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. It was created because the world is running out of IPv4 addresses.

Your computer may have both an IPv4 and IPv6 address at the same time. Most websites and services still work with IPv4, so that's the one you'll usually need. If you see an IPv6 address in your ipconfig results, you can ignore it unless a specific service asks for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means they can change when you restart your computer or router. If you need a permanent local IP for a printer or server, you can set a static IP in your router's settings or in Windows Network Settings. Your public IP changes less often but can shift when your internet service provider reassigns addresses or you restart your modem.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a permanent identifier for your network card, while your IP address is temporary and assigned by your router. You can see both in the ipconfig /all results — MAC address appears as "Physical Address" with six pairs of numbers or letters separated by hyphens.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP can reveal your approximate location — usually your city or region, sometimes more precisely. It won't show your exact street address. If you want to hide your public IP, you can use a VPN, which replaces your IP with the VPN provider's IP. Your local IP is only visible to devices on your network, so it doesn't reveal your location to the internet.

What if ipconfig shows multiple IP addresses?

You might see multiple addresses if your computer is connected to more than one network (like both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time), or if you have virtual network adapters. Look for the section labeled with the connection you're actually using. If you're unsure which one is active, check Windows Settings under Network & Internet to see which connection is currently connected.