How to Find Your IP Address

Knowing how to find your IP address can be useful when troubleshooting an internet connection, configuring a network, checking a VPN connection, or simply learning more about how your device connects to the internet.

There are two common types of IP addresses you may want to find: your public IP address and your private IP address.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

Your public IP address is the address that internet services can generally see when you connect to them.

The easiest way to check it is by using an online IP address tool.

Check Your IP with TechEssentials

You can use the TechEssentials homepage to see your public IP address.

The tool can display information such as:

  • Public IP address
  • IPv4 or IPv6
  • Country
  • Approximate region
  • Approximate city
  • Internet service provider
  • Time zone
  • Browser
  • Operating system

The geographic information is approximate and may not represent your exact physical location.

How to Find Your Private IP Address on Windows

If you are using Windows, you can find your local IP address through Command Prompt.

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Search for Command Prompt.
  3. Open Command Prompt.
  4. Type:

ipconfig

  1. Press Enter.
  2. Look for the network adapter you are currently using.
  3. Find the line labeled IPv4 Address.

You may see an address similar to:

192.168.1.25

This is an example of a private IPv4 address.

Method 2: Windows Settings

You can also find your local IP through Windows Settings:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet.
  3. Open your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  4. Select the connection properties.
  5. Look for the IPv4 address.

The exact menu names can vary depending on your Windows version.

How to Find Your IP Address on macOS

On a Mac:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Select Network.
  3. Choose your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  4. Open the connection details.
  5. Look for the IP address.

The address shown for the local connection is generally your private IP address.

How to Find Your IP Address on Android

Android menu names can differ between manufacturers and operating-system versions.

A typical process is:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet or Connections.
  3. Open Wi-Fi.
  4. Select the connected network.
  5. Look for network details or advanced information.
  6. Find the device’s IP address.

For the public IP, using an online IP address checker is usually simpler.

How to Find Your IP Address on iPhone or iPad

On iOS or iPadOS:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap the connected Wi-Fi network.
  4. Look under the network information for the IP address.

This normally shows the device’s local/private IP address.

To check the public IP, visit an online IP address checking service.

Public IP vs Private IP

It is important to understand that the IP address shown in your device’s Wi-Fi settings may not be the same IP address that websites see.

For example:

Your device: 192.168.1.20

Your router’s public IP: 203.0.113.50

These are two different addresses serving different purposes.

How to Check Whether You Are Using IPv4 or IPv6

An IPv4 address usually contains four groups of numbers separated by periods.

Example:

192.0.2.1

An IPv6 address is much longer and uses hexadecimal characters separated by colons.

Example:

2001:db8::1

If an online IP tool displays an IPv4 address, your internet connection is using IPv4 for that connection. If it displays an IPv6 address, IPv6 is being used.

Some networks support both IPv4 and IPv6.

How to Find Your IP When Using a VPN

When a VPN is active, an online IP checker may show the public IP address associated with the VPN connection rather than the public IP assigned directly by your ISP.

This can be useful when checking whether a VPN connection is active.

Keep in mind that different VPN configurations can behave differently, and an IP address alone cannot establish complete privacy or anonymity.

Why Might My IP Address Look Different?

Your public IP can appear different when you:

  • Connect to another Wi-Fi network
  • Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data
  • Use a VPN
  • Use a proxy
  • Connect through another network
  • Move between certain mobile networks

Your private IP can also change when your router assigns a different local address to your device.

Is an IP Address the Same as a MAC Address?

No.

An IP address is used for network communication and can change depending on the network.

A MAC address is associated with a network interface and is used for communication on local network segments. Modern operating systems can also use privacy features that affect how MAC addresses are presented on some networks.

They serve different purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my public IP address?

Your public IP is the IP address generally visible to internet services when you connect to them. You can check it using the TechEssentials IP tool.

How do I find my private IP?

On Windows, you can use ipconfig. On macOS, Android, and iPhone, you can usually find it in the network or Wi-Fi settings.

Can I find my IP without installing software?

Yes. For your public IP, you can use an online IP checking service through your web browser.

Can my IP address change?

Yes. Public and private IP addresses can change depending on your network configuration and provider.

Does my IP reveal my exact address?

An IP address may provide approximate geographic information, but IP-based location data generally should not be treated as an exact street address.

Related Guides

  • What Is My IP Address?
  • Public IP vs Private IP
  • IP Address Lookup
  • IPv4 vs IPv6
  • Does My IP Address Change?

Final Thoughts

Finding your IP address is simple once you know which type you need.

Use an online IP checker to see your public IP, or use your device’s network settings to find its private IP. Understanding the difference can make basic network troubleshooting much easier.