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.

Command Prompt is a text-based tool built into Windows that lets you run commands to check system information. It takes about 30 seconds from opening the program to seeing your IP address on screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Type ipconfig in Command Prompt and press Enter to see your IPv4 address listed in the results.
  • Your IPv4 Address is the one most people mean when they say "IP address" — it looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.5.
  • The ipconfig /all command shows additional details like your MAC address and DNS settings if you need them.
  • If you see "169.254" as your IP address, your device is not connected to the network properly and needs to reconnect.

Opening Command Prompt on Windows

Press the Windows key and type cmd, then click "Command Prompt" when it appears in the search results. Alternatively, press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Either method opens the Command Prompt window in a few seconds.

You do not need administrator access to run ipconfig — the standard Command Prompt window works fine. If you see a black window with a cursor blinking, you are ready to type the command.

Reading the ipconfig output

When you type ipconfig and press Enter, you see a list of network adapters on your computer. Each adapter shows several lines of information. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address:" — the number next to it is your IP address.

Most home computers show one main adapter called "Ethernet" (if you use a cable) or "Wireless LAN adapter" (if you use WiFi). The IPv4 Address for that adapter is what you need. It typically looks like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x on a home network, where x represents numbers from 0 to 255.

You may also see "IPv6 Address" listed below IPv4. IPv6 is a newer format that looks like a string of letters and numbers separated by colons. Most home networks still use IPv4, so the IPv4 Address is usually the one you are looking for.

Getting more details with ipconfig /all

Type ipconfig /all (with a space between ipconfig and /all) and press Enter to see extended information about your network setup. This shows your MAC address, DNS servers, DHCP status, and lease information — details you might need if you are troubleshooting network problems or setting up a device on your network.

The MAC address is a unique identifier for your network adapter, different from your IP address. It looks similar to an IP address but uses letters and numbers in a different format, such as 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E. Some routers and networks use MAC addresses to control which devices can connect.

What to do if ipconfig does not show an IP address

If you see "169.254" as your IPv4 Address, your computer is not connected to the network properly. Disconnect from WiFi and reconnect, or unplug your ethernet cable and plug it back in. Wait 10 to 15 seconds for the connection to re-establish, then run ipconfig again.

If you still see 169.254 or no IPv4 Address at all, your network adapter may not be working. Check that your WiFi is turned on, or that your ethernet cable is plugged into both your computer and your router. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and waiting for it to fully restart.

The difference between your local and public IP address

The IP address shown by ipconfig is your local IP address — the one your device uses inside your home or office network. It is different from your public IP address, which is what websites see when you visit them. Your router assigns the local address to your device; your internet service provider assigns the public address to your router.

You cannot see your public IP address using ipconfig. To find it, you would need to visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP" in a browser. Your local IP address stays the same most of the time, but your public IP address may change when your router restarts or after several days of being online.

Why you might need to know your IP address

You may need your local IP address to set up a printer on your network, access your router's settings, or troubleshoot connection problems. Some games and applications also ask for your IP address to connect devices on the same network. Knowing how to find it quickly saves time when you are setting up or fixing something.

Your public IP address is useful if you are reporting a problem to your internet service provider or if you need to check whether your location is being tracked by a website. Neither address is sensitive information in the way a password is — your local IP is only visible to devices on your network, and your public IP is already visible to every website you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IP address using Command Prompt?

You can use Command Prompt to release and renew your IP address with the commands ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew. This forces your router to assign you a new local IP address. Most of the time your router assigns you the same address again, but occasionally it assigns a different one.

What does "DHCP Enabled: Yes" mean in the ipconfig output?

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. When it is enabled, your router automatically assigns your device an IP address. If it says "No," your IP address was set manually, which is less common on home networks. Most home users have DHCP enabled.

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No, they are different. Your IP address is temporary and can change; your MAC address is permanent and unique to your network adapter. The ipconfig /all command shows both, but they serve different purposes on your network.

Why do I see multiple network adapters in ipconfig?

Your computer may have several network adapters — for example, both WiFi and ethernet, or virtual adapters used by software. You only need to look at the one you are actually using to connect to the internet. The others can be ignored.