Finding your IP address takes less than a minute on any operating system

Your computer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies it on a network — either your home Wi-Fi or the internet at large. You may need it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer or security camera, or give to technical support. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but all three methods are straightforward and require no special software.

The address you find using these methods is your private IP address — the one your computer uses on your local network. If you need your public IP address instead (the one the internet sees), you can find that by visiting whatismyipaddress.com in any browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find their IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig, then looking for the line labeled "IPv4 Address".
  • Mac users can open System Settings, click Network, select their connection, and read the IP address shown in the details pane.
  • Linux users can open a terminal and type hostname -I or ip addr to see all IP addresses assigned to the computer.
  • Your computer typically has two IP addresses: a private one for your local network and a public one for the internet, and you usually need the private one for local tasks.
  • If your IP address changes and you need it to stay the same, you can configure a static IP address in your router settings.

Finding your IP address in Windows

Open the Start menu and type "Command Prompt" into the search box. Click the Command Prompt app when it appears. A black window will open with a blinking cursor.

Type ipconfig and press Enter. The window will display a list of network information. Look for the section labeled with your network connection name (usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you are on Wi-Fi). Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — the number next to it is your private IP address, typically formatted as four groups of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, you may have more than one connection. The one you are currently using will show an IPv4 Address. If a connection is not active, it may show "Media disconnected" instead.

Finding your IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). In the sidebar on the left, click "Network".

You will see a list of network connections on the left side — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or both, depending on what your Mac has. Click the connection you are currently using. On the right side of the window, you will see connection details. Your IP address appears in the section labeled "IP Address" — it will be a four-part number like 192.168.1.110.

If you are connected to multiple networks, repeat this process for each one to see all your IP addresses. The one you need is almost always the one next to the connection you are actively using right now.

Finding your IP address in Linux

Open a terminal window. The method varies by desktop environment, but you can usually right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal" or press Ctrl+Alt+T.

Type hostname -I and press Enter. This command displays all IP addresses assigned to your computer in a single line. If you want more detailed information about each network adapter, type ip addr instead. This shows each connection separately, labeled with names like "eth0" for Ethernet or "wlan0" for Wi-Fi, followed by the IP address in the "inet" line.

Most Linux users will find what they need with the first command. The second command is useful if you have multiple network adapters and need to know which IP belongs to which one.

Private IP addresses versus public IP addresses

The IP address you find using these methods is your private IP address — the one your computer uses to talk to other devices on your local network. This is what you need when setting up a printer, connecting a smart home device, or accessing your computer remotely from another device in your home.

Your public IP address is different. It is assigned by your internet service provider and is how the rest of the internet sees you. Websites, servers, and online services use this address to send data back to you. You cannot find your public IP address using the methods above because your router handles the translation between the two.

If you need your public IP address, open any web browser and visit whatismyipaddress.com or search "what is my IP address" in Google. The result will show your public IP immediately. This address changes periodically depending on your internet service provider's settings, sometimes daily and sometimes only when you restart your router.

Why you might need your IP address

Technical support staff often ask for your IP address to diagnose network problems. If your internet is slow or dropping out, your IP address helps them trace where the problem occurs — on your computer, your router, or further upstream in your service provider's network.

You also need your private IP address to set up devices on your home network. Smart home hubs, security cameras, printers, and network-attached storage all require you to enter your computer's IP address to communicate with them. Some routers also let you reserve a specific IP address for a device so it does not change, and you need the current address to set that up.

Developers and IT professionals use IP addresses to test software, manage servers, and troubleshoot network connectivity. If you are learning to code or setting up a home lab, knowing how to find your IP address is a basic skill you will use repeatedly.

What to do if your IP address changes

Your private IP address can change if you restart your router, if your computer reconnects to the network, or if your router's settings are configured to reassign addresses periodically. This is normal and usually not a problem — most devices will automatically find the new address.

If you need an IP address to stay the same, you can configure your router to assign a static IP address to your computer. This tells the router to always give that computer the same number. The steps vary by router model, but you typically log into your router's settings page (often at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for a section called "DHCP" or "Reserved IP addresses" or "Static IP". Your router's manual will have the exact steps.

For most home users, letting the IP address change automatically is simpler and causes no problems. Only set a static address if a specific device or service requires it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IP address the same as my MAC address?

No. Your MAC address is a different identifier that only works on your local network — it identifies your network card itself. Your IP address identifies your computer on a network. They serve different purposes and look different: MAC addresses are formatted as six pairs of letters and numbers separated by colons, like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E, while IP addresses are four numbers separated by periods.

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

Your public IP address can be traced to your internet service provider's general service area, usually a city or region, but not to your exact address or home. Your private IP address cannot be traced outside your home network at all. If you are concerned about privacy online, a VPN service masks your public IP address from websites you visit.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I run these commands?

You may have multiple network adapters — for example, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi — or virtual network connections used by software like Docker or virtual machines. Each one gets its own IP address. The one you need is the one connected to the network you are currently using.

What if I cannot find the IPv4 Address line in Windows?

Make sure you are looking at the correct network adapter. If you are on Wi-Fi, scroll down to find the "Wireless LAN adapter" section. If you are plugged in with a cable, look for "Ethernet". If you still do not see an IPv4 Address listed, your computer may not be connected to the network — check your cable or Wi-Fi connection and try again.

Does my IP address change every time I restart my computer?

Not necessarily. Most home routers assign the same private IP address to the same computer each time it connects, even after a restart. Your public IP address may change depending on your internet service provider's settings, but this happens on the router's side, not your computer's. If you need an IP address to never change, configure a static IP in your router settings.