The quickest way to find your router's IP address

Your router's IP address is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device itself. Look for a line that says "Default Gateway" or just an address in the format 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1. If the sticker is worn or missing, you can find it through your computer or phone in under a minute using the method for your device below.

The address you're looking for is called the default gateway — it's the IP address your devices use to talk to the router. This is different from your public IP address (which your internet provider assigns) or your device's local IP address (which the router assigns to your phone or computer).

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's IP address is usually 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1, and is often printed on a sticker on the device.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then look for the "Default Gateway" line.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, and click Details to find the router address.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap your network name, and look for "Router" in the IPv4 section.
  • Once you have the address, type it into your web browser's address bar to log into your router's settings page.

Finding your router's IP on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. In the black window that opens, type ipconfig and press Enter. A list of information will appear.

Look for the section labeled with your network name or "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable. In that section, find the line that says "Default Gateway" — the address next to it is your router's IP address. It will look something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

Finding your router's IP on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network on the left side.

Select the Wi-Fi network you're connected to, then click the Details button. A new window opens. Look for the "Router" field — the address shown there is your router's IP address. On older Mac versions, this information appears in the TCP/IP tab instead.

Finding your router's IP on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you're connected to and tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the network name.

Scroll down to the IPv4 Address section. You'll see several addresses listed. The one labeled "Router" is your router's IP address. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the screen.

Finding your router's IP on Android

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi or Network & Internet (the exact name varies by phone). Find the network you're connected to and tap it to open the details page.

Look for a section called "IP settings" or "Advanced." The address listed as "Gateway" is your router's IP address. On some Android phones, you may need to tap "Show advanced options" to see this information.

What to do once you have the address

Once you have your router's IP address, you can type it directly into the address bar of any web browser — the same place where you'd type a website name. Press Enter, and your router's login page will load.

You'll be asked for a username and password. The default is often "admin" for both, but check the sticker on your router or your router's manual for the correct credentials. If you've changed the password before and don't remember it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down a small reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds — this will erase any custom settings you've made.

Why you might need your router's IP address

The main reason to access your router is to change your Wi-Fi password, restart the device, or check which devices are connected to your network. You might also need it to adjust security settings, update the router's software, or troubleshoot a connection problem.

Some people also need the router's IP address to set up port forwarding (directing traffic from the internet to a specific device on your network) or to change DNS settings. Unless you're doing one of these specific tasks, you usually don't need to log in to your router at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my router's IP address the same as my internet IP address?

No. Your router's IP address (like 192.168.1.1) is only used inside your home network. Your internet IP address is assigned by your internet provider and is what websites see when you visit them. You can find your internet IP by searching "what is my IP" in any search engine.

What if I can't find the sticker on my router?

Use the method for your device (Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android) to find the default gateway address. If that doesn't work, try typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your browser — one of these is the default for most home routers. If neither works, check your router's manual or the manufacturer's website.

Can I change my router's IP address?

Yes, but you usually shouldn't. Your router's IP address is set to a default that your devices expect. Changing it can break your connection. If you need to change it for a specific reason, log into your router and look for "LAN settings" or "Network settings," but only do this if you know what you're doing or have instructions from your internet provider.

Why does my router's IP address start with 192.168 or 10.0?

These address ranges are reserved for private networks — they're only used inside your home or office, never on the public internet. This is why every home router uses one of these addresses. Your internet provider's equipment uses a different address to connect you to the wider internet.