How to Find IP Address
Learn how to find your public IP, private IP, router IP, and website IP address on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and browsers with simple steps.
Quick Answer
To find your public IP address, search “what is my IP address” in a browser. To find your private IP address, open your device’s network settings and look for IPv4 address or IP address. On Windows, you can also run ipconfig in Command Prompt. On Mac, open Network settings or use Terminal. On phones, open Wi-Fi details for the connected network.
What You Need
- The device whose IP address you want to check
- Access to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or mobile network settings
- A browser if you want to check your public IP address
- Command Prompt or Terminal only if you prefer command-line methods
- Router admin access only if you need advanced router or connected-device details
Public IP vs Private IP
Public IP address
Your public IP address is the address websites and online services see when your network connects to the internet. It is usually assigned by your internet provider and may change over time.
Private IP address
Your private IP address is used inside your home, office, or local network. It helps your router identify your laptop, phone, printer, or other connected device.
Router IP address
Your router IP address is usually the default gateway for your local network. You often need it to open router settings, change Wi-Fi details, or troubleshoot network problems.
Website IP address
A website IP address is the server address returned by DNS for a domain name. Large websites may use multiple IP addresses, CDNs, or changing addresses, so one lookup may not show every server.
Privacy and Safety Notes
- Do not post your public IP address publicly unless you have a clear reason.
- An IP address alone usually does not reveal an exact home address, but it can show approximate network or ISP information.
- Private IP addresses like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x work only inside a local network.
- Do not change router, DNS, or static IP settings unless you understand the effect or have instructions from your network administrator.
- If you are on a school, office, or public network, follow that network’s IT policy before changing settings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1
Find your public IP address in a browser
Open a browser and search “what is my IP address.” The result shown by the search page or an IP-checking website is your public IP address. This is the address websites see from your current network.
- Step 2
Find your private IP address on Windows using Settings
Open Settings, choose Network & internet, select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, then open Properties. Look for IPv4 address or IPv6 address.
- Step 3
Find your private IP address on Windows using Command Prompt
Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Under your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter, look for IPv4 Address. The Default Gateway line is usually your router IP address.
- Step 4
Find your private IP address on Mac
Open Apple menu, System Settings, then Network. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, open Details if needed, and look for IP address. In newer macOS versions, the TCP/IP section also shows router details.
- Step 5
Find your IP address on Android
Open Settings, then Network & internet or Connections. Tap Wi-Fi, select your connected network, and look for IP address under network details or advanced details. Labels vary by Android brand.
- Step 6
Find your IP address on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the info button next to your connected network. Look for IP Address under IPv4 Address. The Router field shows your router IP address.
- Step 7
Find your router IP address
On Windows, run ipconfig and check Default Gateway. On Mac, open Network details and check Router. On iPhone, open Wi-Fi details and check Router. On many Android phones, check Gateway, Router, or Manage router in Wi-Fi details.
- Step 8
Find a website IP address
On Windows, open Command Prompt and type nslookup example.com, replacing example.com with the domain. On Mac, open Terminal and type nslookup example.com or dig example.com. The returned address is one IP currently associated with that domain.
- Step 9
Confirm you are checking the correct network
If your result looks unexpected, confirm whether you are on Wi-Fi, Ethernet, mobile data, VPN, or a work network. Changing networks can change your public IP and your private IP.
Practical Example
Example: You need your IP address for a printer setup. On your Windows laptop, you open Command Prompt, run ipconfig, copy the IPv4 Address for the Wi-Fi adapter, and also note the Default Gateway because that is your router IP address.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing public IP with private IP
- Copying the Default Gateway when a form asks for your device IP address
- Checking a VPN IP address without realizing the VPN is connected
- Using mobile data when you meant to check your home Wi-Fi IP address
- Assuming every device has the same private IP address
- Treating one website IP lookup as the only possible server address for that website
Troubleshooting
I see several IP addresses on Windows
Use the address under your active adapter, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Ignore disconnected adapters, virtual adapters, and VPN adapters unless that is the connection you are troubleshooting.
My public IP changes
Many internet providers assign dynamic public IP addresses. It can change after reconnecting, router restart, network change, or provider refresh.
My IP address starts with 192.168, 10, or 172
That is usually a private local-network IP address. It is normal for devices behind a home or office router.
The website IP lookup shows different results
Large sites often use CDNs, load balancing, and multiple DNS answers. Different tools, regions, or networks may show different valid IP addresses.
I cannot find IP details on Android
Android menus vary. Open the connected Wi-Fi network details and look for Advanced, Network details, IP address, Gateway, Router, or Manage router.
Helpful Internal Links
FAQs
What is the easiest way to find my public IP address?
Open a browser and search “what is my IP address.” The result shown is the public IP address seen by websites from your current network.
Is IPv4 the same as my IP address?
IPv4 is one common type of IP address, such as 192.168.1.25. Some networks also use IPv6, which is longer and uses letters and numbers.
Is my router IP the same as my device IP?
No. Your router IP is usually the default gateway. Your device IP is the private address assigned to your laptop, phone, or other device on that network.
Can two devices have the same IP address?
On the same local network, two devices should not use the same private IP at the same time. If they do, it can cause an IP conflict and network problems.
Why does my IP address change when I use a VPN?
A VPN can route your traffic through another server, so websites may see the VPN server’s public IP address instead of your normal network IP.
Can I find someone’s exact location from an IP address?
Do not assume that. IP lookup tools may show approximate ISP or regional information, but they are not a reliable way to identify an exact person or address.
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