Finding your IP address takes less than a minute on any computer

Your computer has an IP address right now — it's how your device talks to the internet and to other devices on your network. You might need to find it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer, or give tech support to someone helping you. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, but all three methods are straightforward and don't require any special software.

The address you find will be one of two types: your local IP address (the one your computer uses on your home or office network) or your public IP address (the one the wider internet sees). Most of the time you need the local one. Both are easy to find once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Status to see your local IP address listed as "IPv4 address".
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for the IP address shown in the details pane.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type hostname -I to see your local IP address immediately.
  • Your public IP address (what websites see) is different from your local one and can be found by searching "what is my IP" in any browser.
  • Local IP addresses usually start with 192.168 or 10.0, while public addresses are the full four-number sequence your internet provider assigns.

Finding your IP address on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar. On the right side, you'll see several options — click "Status" at the top.

Scroll down until you see "IP settings". Under that section, look for "IPv4 address" — the number listed there is your local IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.105. If you need your public IP address instead, you can see it on the same page under "Properties" by looking for "IPv4 address" in the public IP section, though this is less common.

If you prefer using the command line, you can also open Command Prompt (press Windows key, type "cmd", press Enter) and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for "IPv4 Address" in the results — that's your local IP.

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, click "Network". You'll see a list of connections — select the one you're currently using (usually "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet").

On the right side of the window, click "Details" or look directly at the information shown. Your IP address will be listed as "IP Address" and will look something like 192.168.1.110. If you're connected by Wi-Fi, it will appear under the Wi-Fi section. If you're using Ethernet, look in the Ethernet section instead.

Alternatively, you can open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities) and type ifconfig | grep inet, then press Enter. Your local IP address will be listed next to "inet" — ignore the one that says "127.0.0.1", as that's your computer talking to itself.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window (usually by right-clicking on the desktop or pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, depending on your distribution). Type hostname -I and press Enter. Your local IP address will appear immediately — it's the first number in the list.

If that command doesn't work, try ip addr show instead. Look for a line that starts with "inet" (not "inet6") — the number after "inet" and before the forward slash is your IP address. You can ignore any line that shows 127.0.0.1, as that's your computer's internal loopback address.

Understanding local versus public IP addresses

The address you find using the steps above is your local IP address — it's what your computer uses to communicate with other devices on your home or office network. These addresses always start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. They're private, meaning they're not visible to the wider internet.

Your public IP address is different. It's assigned by your internet service provider and is what websites and online services see when you connect. To find your public IP, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" — the first result will show you the address. You can also visit websites like ipinfo.io or whatismyipaddress.com, which display your public IP immediately.

Most of the time when someone asks for your IP address, they mean your local one — for example, if you're setting up a printer on your network or troubleshooting a connection with tech support. Your public IP changes periodically (usually when you restart your router), while your local IP stays the same as long as you're on the same network.

What to do once you have your IP address

If you're setting up a device like a printer or security camera, you'll type your computer's local IP address into a web browser to access its settings. For example, if your IP is 192.168.1.105, you'd type that into the address bar and press Enter.

If you're troubleshooting a network problem, you can use your IP address to test your connection. Open a terminal or command prompt and type ping 8.8.8.8 (Google's public DNS server), then press Enter. If you get responses back, your internet connection is working. If you get "timeout" or "unreachable" messages, there's a connection problem.

If someone is helping you remotely with a technical issue, they might ask for your IP address to understand your network setup. Never share your public IP with strangers, but your local IP is safe to share — it only works on your own network and can't be used to access your computer from the internet.

Why your IP address might change

Your local IP address usually stays the same, but it can change if you restart your router, if your internet service provider assigns you a new one, or if your device connects to a different network. If you need an IP address to stay constant (for example, to always reach a printer at the same address), you can set a static IP in your router settings, though this is more advanced and not necessary for most people.

Your public IP changes more often — typically whenever you restart your router or after a period of inactivity. Some internet service providers change it monthly or yearly. If you need your public IP to stay the same for a specific reason, you can contact your provider about a static public IP, though this usually costs extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your local IP address is safe to share — it only works on your own network. Your public IP is less sensitive than a password, but avoid posting it publicly online. If someone has your public IP, they can't directly access your computer, but they can see your general location and attempt to scan for open ports. Keep it private when possible.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses when I search?

You might see different addresses if you're connected to both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time, or if you have multiple network adapters. Each connection gets its own local IP. Look for the one labeled with the connection type you're actually using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

Can I change my IP address?

Your local IP can be changed by your router's settings or by restarting your router — it will usually assign a new one automatically. Your public IP changes on its own periodically. If you need to hide your public IP for privacy, you can use a VPN, though that's a separate tool from finding your address.

What if my IP address starts with 169.169?

An address starting with 169.169 means your computer couldn't get an IP from your router — it's a fallback address. This usually means your Wi-Fi or Ethernet isn't properly connected. Try reconnecting to your network or restarting your router.

Do I need my IP address to use the internet?

Yes, but you don't need to know it. Your computer gets an IP automatically from your router when you connect. You only need to find it if you're troubleshooting, setting up a device, or someone asks you for it.