Your computer’s IP address is like a return address for digital communication. Whether you are joining a video call, printing over Wi-Fi, hosting a game server, or troubleshooting a connection problem, your device uses an IP address to identify itself on a network. The good news is that checking it is simple once you know where to look.
TLDR: To check your computer’s IP address, open your network settings or use a command such as ipconfig on Windows, ifconfig or ip addr on Linux, or the Network settings panel on macOS. Your private IP address identifies your device on your local network, while your public IP address is what websites and online services see. You can find your public IP by searching “what is my IP” in a browser. If you are troubleshooting, make sure you are looking at the correct adapter, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or VPN.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a number assigned to a device so it can communicate across a network. Think of it as a digital mailing label: when your computer requests a webpage, the website needs to know where to send the response.
There are two common types you may see:
- IPv4: The familiar format with four groups of numbers, such as 192.168.1.25.
- IPv6: A newer, longer format using letters and numbers, such as 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334.
You may also come across two different categories of IP address:
- Private IP address: Used inside your home, office, or school network. Your router assigns it to your computer.
- Public IP address: Used on the internet. This is usually assigned by your internet service provider and shared by devices behind your router.
How to Check Your IP Address on Windows
Windows gives you several ways to find your IP address. The quickest method is often the Command Prompt.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
- Type cmd and press Enter.
- In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
- Look for your active connection, such as Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter Ethernet.
- Find the line labeled IPv4 Address.
The number next to IPv4 Address is usually your computer’s private IP address. It might look something like 192.168.0.14 or 10.0.0.23.
You can also check through Settings:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & Internet.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
- Click your active network.
- Scroll to the Properties section and look for your IPv4 or IPv6 address.
How to Check Your IP Address on macOS
On a Mac, the most user-friendly method is through System Settings. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your macOS version, but the process is similar.
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Open System Settings or System Preferences.
- Select Network.
- Choose your active connection, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Your IP address should appear in the connection details.
If you prefer Terminal, open it and type:
ipconfig getifaddr en0
On many Macs, en0 refers to Wi-Fi. If that does not return an address, you may need to check another interface, such as en1, or use:
ifconfig
This displays more detailed network information, including IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for each adapter.
How to Check Your IP Address on Linux
Linux users can find IP information quickly from the terminal. Open your terminal and enter:
ip addr
Look for your active network interface. It may be named something like wlan0, eth0, enp3s0, or wlp2s0. Your IPv4 address usually appears after inet. For example:
inet 192.168.1.42/24
In this example, the IP address is 192.168.1.42. The /24 describes the network range and is not part of the address you usually need to copy.
Some older Linux guides mention:
ifconfig
This command still works on many systems, but it may not be installed by default on newer distributions. The modern choice is generally ip addr.
How to Find Your Public IP Address
Your public IP address is the one seen by websites, apps, and online services. The easiest way to find it is to open a browser and search for:
what is my IP
Most search engines will show your public IP address at the top of the results. You can also use reputable IP lookup websites, which may display extra details such as approximate location, internet provider, and whether IPv6 is available.
Keep in mind that your public IP address may not point precisely to your home or office. It often shows the general area of your internet service provider’s network. If you are using a VPN, the public IP shown will usually belong to the VPN server, not your actual connection.
Checking Your IP Address from Your Router
Your router also keeps track of connected devices. This can be useful if you want to identify every computer, phone, smart TV, or printer on your network.
- Open a browser and enter your router’s address, often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
- Sign in using the router’s admin credentials.
- Look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, LAN, or DHCP Clients.
- Find your computer by its device name, MAC address, or connection type.
This view can help when setting up port forwarding, assigning a reserved IP address, or checking whether an unfamiliar device is connected to your Wi-Fi.
Why You Might Need Your IP Address
Knowing how to find your IP address is useful in more situations than many people expect. You might need it to:
- Troubleshoot network issues when your internet connection is not working properly.
- Connect to shared folders or local servers on your network.
- Set up a printer that requires a manual network address.
- Configure gaming servers, remote desktop tools, or media servers.
- Check VPN behavior and confirm which public IP address websites see.
Private vs. Public IP: Which One Do You Need?
If someone on your home network asks for your computer’s IP address, they probably need your private IP address. For example, this is what you would use to connect to a shared folder or access a local development server.
If an online service, remote user, or security tool asks for your IP address, it may mean your public IP address. Be cautious when sharing it. A public IP address is not usually enough for someone to access your computer by itself, but it can reveal information about your network and general location.
Quick Troubleshooting Tips
If you cannot find the right address, check these common issues:
- Multiple adapters: Your computer may show Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, virtual machines, and VPN connections.
- Disconnected network: If an adapter is not connected, it may not have a valid IP address.
- Self-assigned address: An address beginning with 169.254 often means your computer did not receive a proper address from the router.
- VPN active: A VPN can change your visible public IP and add extra private addresses.
Once you understand where IP addresses appear and what they mean, checking them becomes a quick habit rather than a technical mystery. Whether you use Windows, macOS, Linux, a router page, or a simple web search, your computer’s IP address is only a few clicks or commands away.