How to Find My IP Address: Windows, Mac, iPhone, & Android

Knowing how to find your IP address can be pretty useful for things like fixing a network issue, setting up a new gadget, or even if you’re just curious about how your devices connect to the web.

Key Takeaways

Your IP address is a unique identifier for your device on a network, with both public and private versions.
Public IP addresses are visible to the Internet and are assigned by your ISP, while private IP addresses are used within your local network.
You can find your IP address on any device by checking the network settings or using a command-line tool.
Finding your public IP address is easy – just use a web browser or a simple command in the Command Prompt or Terminal.
Understanding your IP address is important for managing network settings and maintaining your online security.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
How to Find My IP Address
How to Find Your Public IP Address
Is my IP Address Secure?
How to Protect Your IP Address
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
How to Find My IP Address
How to Find Your Public IP Address

Show Full Guide

Is my IP Address Secure?
How to Protect Your IP Address
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

How to Find My IP Address

Your IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is the digital address of your device on a network. There are two kinds: public and private.

A public IP address is what the world sees when your device goes online, assigned by your Internet service provider (ISP). A private IP address is used within your local network, like your home Wi-Fi, and isn’t visible to the outside world.

The method of how to find your Internet Protocol address depends on which device you’re using. We’ll cover each device below, but first, let’s talk about the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and then go into more detail about public and private IP addresses.

IPv4 vs. IPv6 Addresses

IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of Internet Protocol addresses. IPv4 is the older version and uses a 32-bit address format, which looks something like 192.168.0.1. It has been in use for a long time, but with the growing number of devices online, IPv4 addresses are running out.

IPv6 is the newer version and uses a 128-bit address format, which looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. This expanded format allows for a vastly larger number of unique addresses, solving the shortage problem.

Public vs. Private IP Addresses

Here’s some additional information about public and private IP addresses.

Type	Description	Why it Matters
Public IP Address	Assigned by your ISP and used to identify your network on the Internet.	This is the address visible to the outside world. It’s important for accessing websites and services from your network.
Private IP Address	Assigned to devices within your local network (e.g., your home Wi-Fi).	This address is only used within your local network, keeping communication between your devices secure and isolated from the public Internet.

In short, public IP addresses allow your network to communicate with the Internet, while private IP addresses keep internal devices connected and secure within your local network.

How to Find Your IP Address on Windows

Here’s how to check your IP address on your computer (in Windows 10 and Windows 11).

Open the Settings app.
In the Settings window, select Network & Internet in the left-hand pane. Then, select the network you’re connected to.
Scroll down and find the IPv4 address. The number next to it is your IP address.

Find Your IP Address Using the Command Prompt (CMD)

The method mentioned above is pretty simple, but if you’re used to using the command prompt, there’s a command you can use to get your IP address.

Open Command Prompt.
To get my IP address, I’ll type ipconfig and press Enter to run the command. Scroll down to the Wireless LAN Adapter Wi-Fi group and find IPv4 Address. It will show my IP address next to it.

Your IP address is the number next to it.

How to Find Your IP Address on Mac

Are you a Mac user? Here’s how to find your IP address on Mac.

Open System Settings.
Click Network in the left-hand pane and then click Wi-Fi.
Locate IP Address near the bottom of the window. Take note of the number to the right.

How to Find Your Local IP Address Using the MacOS Terminal

If you want to use a more advanced method to discover your IP address on a Mac, you can do it through the Terminal. Here’s how.

Open the Terminal app.
Type ipconfig getifaddr en0 and press Enter to run the command.

This shows the IP address of your wireless connection. If you’re using an Ethernet connection, use en0 with en1.

How to Find Your IP Address on Android

If you’re wondering how to find your IP address on your phone, specifically on an Android device, here’s how.

Open the Settings app.
Tap Network & Internet at the top of the list of options.
Select your current connection by tapping Internet.
In the Wi-Fi group, tap the connection again. Scroll down to the Network Details group and find IP Address.

This method works for most Android devices, though the exact wording or path might differ slightly depending on your Android version.

How to Find Your IP Address on iOS

If you’re trying to find your IP address on an iPhone or iPad, here’s how you can do it.

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down a bit and tap Wi-Fi.
Tap the current connection and then scroll down to the IPv4 Address group. Find the IP Address option and note the number next to it. This is your IP address.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

A public IP address is the unique address assigned to your network by your ISP. It’s the address that websites and online services see when you connect to them.

Here’s how to find it.

Use a web browser

Open any web browser and search for “What is my IP address.” The search results will display your public IP address at the top.

Command prompt or terminal

On Windows, open the Command Prompt and type curl ifconfig.me or nslookup myip.opendns.com. resolver1.opendns.com and press Enter. On Mac or Linux, open the Terminal and type curl ifconfig.me and press Enter.

Is my IP Address Secure?

Your IP address, by itself, doesn’t provide direct access to your personal information or devices, but it does reveal your general location and the network you’re connected to. This can be a concern because, in some cases, people with malicious intent might try to use your IP address to gain information about your network or to launch targeted attacks.

While your IP address is necessary for Internet communication, there are a few security risks to be aware of:

Location tracking

Websites and online services can use your IP address to determine your approximate location. While this is generally used for purposes like localizing content, it can also be a privacy concern.

Targeted attacks

If someone knows your IP address, they could try to launch attacks against your network, such as attempting to breach your router or flood your connection with traffic (a method known as a DDoS attack).

Data collection

Advertisers and trackers can use your IP address to build a profile of your online activities, which could be used to target you with ads.

How to Protect Your IP Address

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to protect your IP address:

Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks your real IP address by routing your internet traffic through a different server, making it harder for anyone to track your online activities.
Keep your router secure: Make sure your router‘s firmware is up to date and that you’re using strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
Be cautious online: Avoid sharing your IP address publicly and be mindful of the websites and services you use.

The Bottom Line

Finding your IP address is pretty straightforward, no matter what device you’re using. Whether you’re on a Windows PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone, it’s good to know where to find it when you need it, and understanding the difference between public and private IP addresses gives you a better idea of how your devices connect to the Internet.