How to Find My IP Address: Public and Private (Every Device)
How to find your IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android, plus how to see your public IP and the difference between public and private addresses.
This guide is general information only, not professional financial, legal or technical advice. Menus and rules can vary by device and country.
To find your public IP address, the one websites see, type "what is my IP address" into a search engine and it will usually show it at the top. To find your device's private (local) IP address, open your Wi-Fi or network settings and look for IP address or IPv4 address in the details of the network you're connected to.
Most people have two IP addresses at once. This guide shows how to find both, step by step, on every common device.
Quick answer
- Public IP: Search "what is my IP address" in your browser, or check your router's status page.
- Windows: Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > your network > IPv4 address.
- Mac: System Settings > Network > your connection > Details > TCP/IP.
- iPhone: Settings > Wi-Fi > tap the More Info button next to your network > IP Address.
- Android: Settings > Network & internet > Internet > tap the settings icon next to your network.
Public vs. Private IP Address: What's the Difference?
An IP address is a number that identifies a device on a network so data knows where to go. Your home network uses two kinds.
- Public IP address: Your internet provider gives this to your router. Every device on your home Wi-Fi shares it when talking to websites.
- Private (local) IP address: Your router gives each device its own address inside your home network. Printers, game consoles and smart TVs use it to find each other.
Private addresses come from special ranges reserved for internal networks. If your address starts with one of these, it's private:
| Address type | Typical example | Who assigns it | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private | 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 | Your router | Device network settings |
| Private | 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 | Your router or workplace network | Device network settings |
| Private | 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 | Your router or workplace network | Device network settings |
| Public | Any other address | Your internet provider | Search engine or router status page |
You may also see a longer address with colons in it. That is an IPv6 address, the newer format. The familiar four-number format is IPv4. Most devices show both.
How to Find Your Public IP Address
- Open any web browser.
- Search for "what is my IP address."
- Many search engines show your public IP right in the results. You can also open a reputable IP-lookup site.
Another option is your router's admin page. It usually lists the public address as the "WAN" or "Internet" IP. The login details are often on a sticker on the router.
Keep in mind that a VPN changes the public IP that websites see. If you're connected to one, the address shown will belong to the VPN, not your provider.
How to Find Your IP Address on Windows
Using Settings
- Right-click the Wi-Fi or network icon on the taskbar and select Network and internet settings. You can also open Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi, then select the network you're connected to. For a cable connection, select Ethernet instead.
- Look for IPv4 address. That is your private IP address.
For a faster route, select the Properties button next to your connected network on the Network & internet page.
Using Command Prompt
- Select Start, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
- Type ipconfig and press Enter.
- Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
The ipconfig command also shows your subnet mask and Default Gateway, which is usually your router's address.
How to Find Your IP Address on a Mac
- Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Click Network in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down.
- Click the connection you're using, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then click Details.
- Click TCP/IP. You'll see your IPv4 and IPv6 settings, including your IP address.
How to Find Your IP Address on iPhone
- Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the More Info button (a small "i" in a circle) next to the network you're connected to.
- Find IP Address in the list. This is your iPhone's private address on that Wi-Fi network.
On the same screen, you may see a Private Wi-Fi Address. That is a different number (a MAC address, not an IP address). Apple uses a unique one for each network to limit tracking.
How to Find Your IP Address on Android
Android menus differ by brand, but this path works on many phones, including Pixel:
- Open Settings and tap Network & internet.
- Tap Internet (or Wi-Fi on some phones).
- Tap the settings icon next to your connected network, or tap the network name.
- Look for IP address in the network details. On some phones it's under Advanced or Network details.
If you can't find it, search your Settings app for "IP address." Menu names can vary slightly by phone maker and Android version.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
- Mixing up public and private. The number in your device settings (often starting with 192.168 or 10.) is private. It's not what websites see. Use a search engine for your public IP.
- Checking while on mobile data. On a phone, mobile data uses a different network. Connect to Wi-Fi first if you need your home network address.
- Expecting the address to stay the same. Most routers and providers assign addresses automatically, so they can change after a restart. If a printer or game console needs a fixed address, set a reserved address in your router.
- No IP address or a strange one. If your device shows no IP address, it probably didn't get one from the router. Restarting the router usually helps. Our guide on how to fix Wi-Fi not connecting walks through more fixes.
- Sharing your IP with strangers. Your public IP can reveal your rough location and internet provider. Don't give it to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly claiming to be "tech support." Learn how to spot online scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my IP address the same on all my devices?
Your public IP is usually shared by every device on your home network. Each device has its own private IP, assigned by your router. So your phone and laptop will show different private addresses but the same public one.
Can someone find my home address from my IP?
Not exactly. A public IP usually reveals only your internet provider and an approximate area, such as a city or region. Your provider has the account details, but it doesn't share them with the public.
Why does my IP address keep changing?
Most internet providers and routers hand out addresses automatically, and they can change after a restart or when the lease expires. This is normal. If you need a fixed address, you can ask your provider for a static IP or reserve one in your router.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 addresses are four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.20. IPv6 addresses are much longer and use letters, numbers and colons. Newer networks use both, and your device may show both in its settings.
How do I find my router's IP address?
On Windows, run ipconfig and look for Default Gateway. On a Mac, look in the same TCP/IP details where you found your own IP. Typing that address into a browser usually opens your router's admin page.
Does clearing my browser hide my IP address?
No. Clearing history removes stored data on your device, but websites still see your public IP. To understand what clearing does remove, read how to clear browser cache.