Guides · IP & network · Updated

How to find your IP address on any device

You have two kinds of IP address: a public one that websites see, and a private one that identifies your device inside your home network. The quickest way to see the public one is a web page. The private one is in your device's network settings.

Your public IP address

See the address websites see when you connect, for both IPv4 and IPv6:

The same address is shared by every device behind your router. It can also be found from a terminal with curl https://api.ipify.org. See IPv4 vs IPv6 if you see a long address with colons: that's your IPv6 address.

Your private IP address, by device

DeviceWhere to look
WindowsOpen Command Prompt and run ipconfig. Read IPv4 Address under your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. Or: Settings, Network & internet, your connection, Properties.
macOSSystem Settings, Network, your Wi-Fi network, Details, TCP/IP. Or in Terminal: ipconfig getifaddr en0 (Wi-Fi on most Macs).
LinuxRun ip addr or hostname -I. Ignore 127.0.0.1, which is the machine itself.
iPhone and iPadSettings, Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to your network. The address is under IPv4 Address.
AndroidSettings, Network & internet (or Connections), Wi-Fi, tap your network. Menus differ by phone; look for "IP address" or "Advanced".

Private addresses fall in ranges that are never used on the internet: 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x and 192.168.x.x. If the address you found starts with one of these, it's private.

Your router's IP address

It's the "default gateway" in the same places. On Windows ipconfig shows it as Default Gateway; on macOS and Linux run ip route or netstat -rn. Common values are 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1. Type it into a browser to open the router's settings, which is where you set up port forwarding.

Why your public address may look strange

  • On mobile data, carriers often share one public address between many customers (CGNAT). The address you see isn't only yours.
  • With a VPN on, you see the VPN server's address, not your home connection's.
  • It changes. Most home addresses are dynamic and can change after a router restart.

What an IP address does and does not reveal

Look up any address with the IP lookup. You will get the provider, the network and an approximate location, usually accurate to country or city and often pointing to the provider's regional hub. It doesn't reveal your street address or name.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a public and a private IP address?

Your public address is the one websites see, assigned by your provider and shared by every device on your network. A private address, such as 192.168.1.20, identifies one device inside your home network and cannot be reached from the internet.

Why is my IP address different on my phone and my laptop?

On the same Wi-Fi network they share one public address but have different private ones. On mobile data your phone uses your carrier's address, which is often shared with many other customers.

Does my IP address change?

Often. Most home connections get a dynamic address that can change when the router restarts or the lease expires. A static address stays the same and is usually a paid option.

How do I find my router's IP address?

It is your default gateway. On Windows run ipconfig and read Default Gateway; on macOS and Linux run ip route or netstat -rn. It is commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

Can someone find my home address from my IP address?

No. An IP address shows roughly which city and which provider you use, not your street or name. Only your provider can link it to your account.