What an IP address is and why you need to find yours

Your IP address is a set of numbers that identifies your device on a network — like a mailing address for your computer or phone. Every device connected to the internet has one. You might need to find it to troubleshoot a connection problem, set up a printer on your home network, access a device remotely, or give it to technical support.

There are two types: your public IP address (what the internet sees when you connect) and your private IP address (what devices on your home network use to talk to each other). Most of the time, you need the private one.

Finding it takes less than a minute and requires no special tools — just a few clicks or commands depending on what device you're using.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, and look for "IPv4 address" under your connection details.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and the IP address appears in the window.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, select your network, and the IP address is listed as "IP Address".
  • On Android, open Settings, go to About Phone, tap Status, and scroll to find "IP address".
  • You can also find your public IP address by searching "what is my IP" in any web browser.

Finding your IP address on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, the fastest way is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Settings" and open it. Then click Network & Internet on the left side.

Look at the top of the window — you'll see your current connection listed (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Click on it. A new window opens showing your connection details. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address. The number next to it is your private IP address — it usually starts with 192.168 or 10.

If you need your public IP address instead, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP". The first result will show it.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On macOS, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click Network on the left sidebar.

You'll see a list of connections on the left — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or others. Click the one you're currently using. The window on the right shows your connection details, and your IP address appears near the top, labeled IP Address. It's the four numbers separated by dots.

If you prefer the command line, you can also open Terminal and type ifconfig, then look for "inet" followed by your IP address.

Finding your IP address on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you're connected to — it has a checkmark next to it. Tap the network name or the information icon (the small "i" in a circle) next to it.

A details screen appears. Scroll down and you'll see IP Address listed with a four-part number. That's your private IP address on your home network.

Note that this only shows your IP address when you're on Wi-Fi. When you're using cellular data, your device gets a different address from your phone carrier, and you won't see it in Settings.

Finding your IP address on Android

Open Settings and scroll down to find About Phone (on some phones it's called About Device). Tap it, then look for Status or Device Status.

Scroll through the list until you see IP Address. The number shown is your private IP address on your network.

On some Android phones, you can also find it faster by going to Settings, then Network & Internet, tapping your Wi-Fi connection, and looking for IP address in the connection details.

Finding your public IP address

Your public IP address is what websites and services on the internet see when you connect. It's different from your private IP address, and you find it differently.

Open any web browser and search for "what is my IP address" or "my IP". The first result will show your public IP — usually a site like WhatIsMyIPAddress.com or similar. Your public IP appears in large text at the top of the page.

Your public IP changes when you restart your router or when your internet provider assigns you a new one. Most home internet plans use dynamic IP addresses, meaning they change periodically. If you need a permanent public IP, that's a separate service your internet provider can offer, but it usually costs extra.

What to do if you can't find your IP address

If you follow the steps above and don't see an IP address, your device probably isn't connected to the network. Check that Wi-Fi is turned on (or that your Ethernet cable is plugged in), and that you're connected to the right network.

On Windows, if you see "No internet" or a warning icon next to your connection, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait a minute for it to fully restart, then check Settings again.

If you're still stuck, restart the device itself. Most connection problems clear up after a restart. Once your device reconnects to the network, the IP address will appear in the location described for your device type above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a private and public IP address?

Your private IP address is used only on your home network — devices use it to find each other. Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you connect. You need the private one for most home troubleshooting; the public one is what you'd give to someone who needs to reach you from outside your network.

Why would I need to know my IP address?

Common reasons include setting up a printer or smart home device on your network, troubleshooting a connection problem with technical support, accessing a device remotely, or configuring network settings. Your support person might ask for it to help diagnose what's wrong.

Is it safe to share my IP address?

Your private IP address is safe to share — it only works on your home network. Your public IP address is visible to every website you visit, so it's not a secret, but don't share it with people you don't trust. Never share passwords or other sensitive information along with it.

Will my IP address change?

Your private IP address usually stays the same unless you restart your router or change your network settings. Your public IP address changes when your internet provider assigns you a new one, which can happen after a restart or periodically on its own. Most home internet plans don't may provide a permanent public IP.

Can I change my IP address?

You can change your private IP address by restarting your router or adjusting network settings, though there's usually no reason to. Your public IP address changes when you restart your router, but you can't control when your internet provider assigns you a new one. If you need a permanent public IP, contact your internet provider about their options.