The quickest way to find your IP address

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select it. Go to Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you're connected. Click the network you're currently using, scroll down, and you'll see your IPv4 address listed under "IP address".

If you need it faster, you can also right-click the network icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select Open Network & Internet settings, and follow the same path. Both methods show you the same information — the address your device uses on your home or work network.

Key Takeaways

  • Your IP address appears in Settings under Network & Internet, in whichever connection type you're using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
  • The Command Prompt method using ipconfig shows your IP address instantly if you prefer typing a command over clicking through menus.
  • Windows 10 displays both your local IP address (used inside your network) and your public IP address (used on the internet), and they are different things.
  • You may see multiple IP addresses listed if your device has more than one network connection active at the same time.

Using Command Prompt for a faster lookup

Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt", and open it. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Your IPv4 address appears next to "IPv4 Address:" in the output. This method is faster than navigating menus if you know where to look, and it shows all network connections on your device at once.

If you want to see only the essential information without extra details, type ipconfig | findstr IPv4 instead. This filters the output to show just the IPv4 addresses on your system, which is useful if you have multiple network adapters.

Finding your public IP address instead

Your local IP address (the one in Settings or Command Prompt) only works inside your network. If you need the address your device shows to the outside internet — your public IP address — Windows doesn't display it in the same places. Instead, open any web browser and search "what is my IP address" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The first result will show your public IP.

The difference matters: your local IP (usually starting with 192.168 or 10.0) is what other devices on your home network use to find you. Your public IP is what websites and services on the internet see. Most people need their local IP when troubleshooting home network problems, and their public IP when setting up remote access or checking if they're being blocked by a service.

What to do if you see multiple IP addresses

If ipconfig shows several IPv4 addresses, you likely have more than one network adapter active. This is common if you're connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, or if your device has a virtual network adapter installed (often added by VPN software or virtual machines). Each adapter gets its own local IP address.

To know which one matters, check Settings to see which connection you're actually using. If you're on Wi-Fi, use the IPv4 address listed under the Wi-Fi section. If you're on Ethernet, use the one under Ethernet. The others can be ignored unless you're specifically trying to reach your device through a different network path.

When you might need your IP address

You'll need your local IP address when setting up a printer on your network, accessing your computer remotely from another device on the same network, or troubleshooting connection problems with your router. Knowing it ahead of time saves you from hunting for it when something stops working.

Your public IP address becomes relevant if you're setting up port forwarding, running a home server that people outside your network need to reach, or checking whether your internet provider has blocked you from a service. It also changes periodically — sometimes daily — depending on your internet provider, so don't rely on it staying the same.

Using PowerShell as an alternative to Command Prompt

If you prefer PowerShell over Command Prompt, press the Windows key, type "PowerShell", and open it. Type Get-NetIPAddress and press Enter. This shows all IP addresses on your device in a cleaner format than ipconfig, with columns for the address, interface, and address family.

For just the IPv4 addresses, type Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4. PowerShell is more powerful for advanced network troubleshooting, but Command Prompt's ipconfig is simpler if you just need the address quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your IP address is a number your device uses to connect to networks (like 192.168.1.5). Your MAC address is a hardware identifier that only works on your local network (like AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF). They serve different purposes, and you'll see both in Command Prompt if you run ipconfig /all.

Why does my IP address start with 169.254?

That means your device couldn't get an IP address from your router. Check that your Wi-Fi or Ethernet is actually connected, restart your router, and wait a minute. If it still shows 169.254, your router may not be assigning addresses correctly, and you should restart it or check its settings.

Can someone find me using my public IP address?

They can find your general location (city or region) and your internet provider, but not your home address or personal information. Your router sits between your devices and the internet, so they can't see inside your network. If you're concerned about privacy, a VPN masks your public IP from websites you visit.

Do I need to write down my IP address?

Only if you're setting up something specific like a printer or remote access. For most everyday use, you don't need to remember it. You can look it up again anytime using the same steps, and it usually stays the same on your home network unless you restart your router.