How to Find Your IP Address: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier assigned to your device when you connect to the internet. It’s used to identify and communicate with other devices online. Whether you need it for troubleshooting, security reasons, or simply curiosity, here’s how you can easily find your IP address.

What is an IP Address?

An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network. There are two types:

IPv4: The most common type, written as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
IPv6: A newer version, designed to handle more devices, written as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

In most cases, you’ll be dealing with an IPv4 address, especially on home networks.

How to Find Your IP Address on Different Devices

1. Finding Your IP Address on Windows

Open Command Prompt: Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter
Type the Command: In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
Look for Your IP Address: Scroll through the results until you see the line labeled “IPv4 Address”. This is your local IP address (if you’re on a home network).

2. Finding Your IP Address on Mac

Open System Preferences: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and choose “System Preferences”
Go to Network: Click on the “Network” icon.
Select Your Connection: In the left sidebar, select the network you’re connected to (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
Find Your IP Address: Your IP address will be displayed under “Status” as “Connected” with the address listed below it.

3. Finding Your IP Address on Android

Open Settings: Tap the gear icon to open the settings menu.
Go to About Phone: Scroll down and tap “About Phone”.
Look for Status: Find the “Status” option (it may vary based on the Android version).
Check Your IP Address: Your local IP address will be displayed in the “IP address” section.

4. Finding Your IP Address on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings: Tap the Settings icon.
Go to Wi-Fi: Tap on “Wi-Fi” and select the network you are connected to.
View IP Address: Tap the “i” icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network, and you’ll see your IP address listed under “IP Address”.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

If you need to know your public IP address (the one visible to websites or services on the internet), you can easily check it using an online service. Here’s how:

Use a Web Service: Open your browser and visit a site like:

These sites will automatically display your public IP address on the homepage.

2. Google Search: You can also simply search for “What is my IP address” on Google. The search result will show your public IP address at the top of the page.

Why Do You Need Your IP Address?

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

Troubleshooting: If you’re having connection issues, knowing your IP can help with diagnosing problems.
Remote Access: When you need to access your device or home network remotely.
Security: Ensuring your IP address is not exposed to unauthorized parties.
Gaming or Servers: If you’re setting up a gaming server or connecting to one, you’ll often need your IP address.

Conclusion

Finding your IP address is a simple process and varies slightly depending on the device you’re using. Whether you’re looking for your local IP or public IP, the steps outlined in this guide should help you get the information you need. By understanding your IP address, you can better troubleshoot connection issues, set up secure networks, or even access services remotely.