How to Find Your IP Address

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

IP AddressNetworkConnectivityInternetPrivacySecuritySettingsDevicesTroubleshootingComputers

Understanding how to find your IP address can be very useful, whether you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up a new device, or just curious about your internet connection. In this guide, we'll cover different ways to find your IP address on different devices and operating systems. We'll discuss the methods for both private (local) and public IP addresses in detail and explain the differences between them.

What is an IP address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique string of numbers and periods (for example, 192.168.1.1) that identifies each computer that uses the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network. There are two main types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 addresses contain four sets of numbers separated by periods, while IPv6 addresses are longer and use colons as separators.

Private vs public IP addresses

Before considering ways to find your IP address, it is necessary to distinguish between private and public IP addresses:

• Private IP address: Your router assigns a private IP address to each device in your local network. These addresses cannot be accessed directly from the Internet.
• Public IP address: This is the IP address assigned to your network by your Internet service provider (ISP) and visible on the Internet. All devices in your network share the same public IP address when communicating outside the network.

How to find your private IP address

Below, we'll explain how you can find your private IP address on different devices and operating systems:

Windows

There are several ways for Windows users to find the private IP address:

Using the Command Prompt

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
3. Type ipconfig in the command prompt and press Enter.
4. Look for the IPv4 address under the network connection you’re using.

Using network settings

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection.
4. Click on the network you're connected to.
5. Your IP address will be listed next to IPv4 Address.

Mac OS

If you're using a Mac, finding your IP address is simple:

1. Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Go to Network.
4. Select your current network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
5. Your IP address will be displayed on the right.

Linux

For Linux users, there are different ways to find the private IP address depending on the desktop environment and distribution:

Using the Terminal

1. Open the terminal.
2. Type ifconfig or ip a and press Enter.
3. Look for the IP address under the relevant network interface (usually eth0, wlan0, or similar).

Using the settings

1. Open the Settings application.
2. Navigate to the network.
3. Select your network connection (Wi-Fi or wired).
4. Your IP address should be displayed there.

Android

To find your IP address on an Android device:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Tap Wi-Fi.
4. Tap the network you're connected to.
5. Your IP address will be displayed under Network Details.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

If you're using an iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the information icon ( i ) next to your connected network.
4. Your IP address will be listed under IPV4 Address.

How to find your public IP address

Your public IP address can be found using various online tools and services. Here are some ways to find it:

Using a web browser

The simplest way to find your public IP address is to use a web browser:

1. Open any web browser.
2. Visit one of the following websites:
   • whatismyip.com
   • ipchicken.com
   • ipinfo.io
3. Your public IP address will be prominently displayed on these pages.

Using the terminal or command line

If you prefer to use the command line, you can use the following command:

Windows

1. Open command prompt.
2. Type nslookup myip.opendns.com. resolver1.opendns.com and press Enter.
3. Look for your IP address in the output.

MacOS and Linux

1. Open the terminal.
2. Type curl ifconfig.me and press Enter.
3. Your public IP address will be displayed.

Using the router settings

Your router's web interface may also provide your public IP address. You can find it here:

1. Open a web browser.
2. Type your router's IP address into the address bar (common IPs include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
3. Log in to your router with the username and password (check your router's manual for these details).
4. Go to the Status or WAN section. Your public IP address should be listed there.

Why is it important to know your IP address?

There are several reasons why you might want to know your IP address:

• Troubleshoot network problems: When you encounter network problems, knowing your IP address can help diagnose the problem.
• Setting up a device: Many devices, such as printers or network-attached storage, need to know your IP address for proper setup.
• Security: Monitoring your IP address can help detect unauthorized access to your network.
• Remote access: If you want to access your home network remotely, you need to know your public IP address.

Conclusion

Finding your IP address is a relatively simple task and can be done using different methods depending on your device and operating system. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, Linux, Android or iOS, you can easily find your private IP address through network settings or command-line tools. As for your public IP address, web-based tools and services provide a quick and convenient way to find it.

Having this knowledge will allow you to more effectively manage your network, troubleshoot problems, and ensure your devices are properly setup and secured.

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