The quickest way to find your IP address

Your PC's IP address is displayed in the Settings app on Windows or System Preferences on Mac. On Windows 11 or 10, open Settings, select Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected. Look for "IPv4 address" — that's the number you're looking for, usually something like 192.168.1.5. On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears in the details pane.

If you need it right now and don't want to dig through menus, the fastest route is to open Command Prompt on Windows (search for "cmd" in the Start menu) and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Your IPv4 address will be listed under your active connection. On Mac, open Terminal (search for "terminal" in Spotlight) and type ifconfig, then look for "inet" followed by your IP address.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings shows your IP address under Network & Internet — look for "IPv4 address" next to your connection type.
  • Mac users can find it in System Settings under Network, or by typing ifconfig in Terminal.
  • Command Prompt on Windows and Terminal on Mac both display your IP address instantly when you type ipconfig or ifconfig.
  • Your local IP address (the one starting with 192.168 or 10.) is different from your public IP address, which your internet provider assigns.
  • If you see "169.254" at the start of your IP address, your device is not properly connected to the network.

Finding your IP address through Windows Settings

On Windows 11, click the Start button and type "Settings" into the search box, then open the Settings app. Select Network & Internet from the left sidebar. If you're connected by Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi and then the name of your network. If you're using an Ethernet cable, click Ethernet instead. Scroll down to "IP settings" and you'll see your IPv4 address listed there.

On Windows 10, the path is slightly different. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then select your connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Scroll down to "IP settings" and your IPv4 address appears under "IPv4 address." Both versions show the same information — the numbers are just organized slightly differently on the screen.

Finding your IP address through Mac System Settings

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network in the sidebar. Select your active connection — either Wi-Fi or Ethernet — and the details pane on the right shows your IP address next to "IPv4 Address." This is the same address you'd see in Terminal, just displayed in a graphical menu instead of text.

If you're connected to multiple networks at once (for example, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), check each one separately to see which IP address belongs to which connection. The one you're actively using for internet traffic is the one you need.

Using Command Prompt or Terminal for instant results

Command Prompt on Windows is faster if you just need the number without opening multiple menus. Press the Windows key, type "cmd" and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the section labeled with your connection type (Wireless LAN adapter or Ethernet adapter) and find the line that says "IPv4 Address." The number next to it is what you're looking for.

On Mac, press Command + Space to open Spotlight search, type "terminal" and press Enter. In the window that opens, type ifconfig and press Enter. You'll see several blocks of text. Look for the section that starts with "en0" or "en1" (these are your network interfaces). Next to "inet" you'll see your IP address. Ignore any address that starts with "127.0" — that's your computer talking to itself, not your real network address.

The difference between your local and public IP address

The IP address you find in Settings or Command Prompt is your local IP address — the one your home network uses to identify your PC. These always start with 192.168, 10., or 172.16 and are only visible to devices on your own network. Your router assigns this address to you, and it can change if you restart your computer or router.

Your public IP address is different. It's assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. To find your public IP, search "what is my IP" in any web browser — the first result will show it. Your public IP is the one you'd give to someone outside your home network if they needed to reach a service running on your PC. Your local IP is what you use when connecting to printers, security cameras, or other devices inside your home.

What to do if your IP address looks wrong

If your IP address starts with 169.254, your PC is not properly connected to the network. This is an automatic address Windows assigns when it can't reach your router. Restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in) and restart your PC. If the address still starts with 169.254 after both restarts, check that your Wi-Fi password is correct or that your Ethernet cable is fully plugged in.

If you see an address starting with 127.0 (like 127.0.0.1), you're looking at your loopback address — the address your computer uses to talk to itself. This is not your real network address. Go back and check the correct section of the output. On Windows, make sure you're looking at the right network adapter. On Mac, check en0 or en1, not lo0.

Why you might need your IP address

Your local IP address is useful when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a printer or security camera on your home network, or accessing your PC remotely from another device. Some routers let you reserve a specific IP address for your PC so it doesn't change, which is helpful if you're running a service that other devices need to find. Your public IP address is what you'd share if someone needed to connect to your PC from outside your home network, though this is less common for everyday users.

Knowing the difference between the two prevents confusion when someone asks for your IP address. If they're on your home network, they need your local address. If they're outside your home, they need your public address. Most of the time, when you're troubleshooting at home, you're working with your local IP address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

Your local IP address might change after a restart, depending on how your router is set up. Most home routers use DHCP, which means they assign addresses automatically and may give your PC a different one next time. If you need the same address every time, you can set a static IP in your router's settings or reserve an address for your PC's MAC address. Your public IP address changes less often — usually only when you restart your modem or after several days of inactivity.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your public IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so sharing it with someone you trust is generally safe. Your local IP address is only useful to people on your home network, so it's not a security risk to share. However, never share your IP address with someone you don't know, especially if they claim to need it to "fix" something on your computer — this is a common scam tactic.

Why do I have multiple IP addresses listed in ipconfig?

If you're connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, you'll see two different IP addresses — one for each connection. Your PC is using one as the primary route to the internet (usually Ethernet if both are plugged in). You only need the address for the connection you're actually using. If you see many addresses and you're only connected one way, some may be virtual adapters or VPN connections.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can request a new local IP address by restarting your router, or you can set a static IP address in your network settings if you want to keep the same one. Your public IP address is controlled by your internet provider and can't be changed directly, though restarting your modem sometimes triggers a new one. If you want to hide your public IP address, you'd need to use a VPN service, which is a separate tool.