How to Find Your IP Address?

Finding your IP address is a simple but also an important task for anyone using the internet. Whether you’re troubleshooting network issues, setting up a new device, or securing your online activity, knowing your IP address is a key step.

In this article, we’ll show you how to find your IP address on different devices like Windows, Mac, and Linux.

What is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is like the home address of your device on the Internet. Just as your home has an address so people can find it, every device connected to a network—like your phone, computer, or smart speaker—has an IP address so other devices can communicate with it.

To learn more about IP addresses in detail, Read our full article here.

Types of IP Address

A.) IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)

This widely used standard operates with a 32-bit address format. It’s represented as a set of four numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.0.1), where each number ranges from 0 to 255.

B.) IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)

As a newer and more advanced version, IPv6 uses a 128-bit address format, allowing for a vastly larger pool of unique addresses. Its longer structure is displayed as a series of alphanumeric segments separated by colons (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334), designed to support the increasing number of devices globally

For detailed information, refer to this article – IPv4 vs. IPv6

Public vs. Private IP Addresses

Broadly, IP addresses are classified as public and private:

• Private IP Addresses are used within local networks, such as your home Wi-Fi, and are not accessible from the internet.
• Public IP Addresses are assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are essential for connecting devices to the internet.

Finding Your Public IP Address Using a Browser

An easy way to find your public IP address is by using a web browser. Several websites can instantly identify and display your public IP address.

You can visit these sites on any device—whether it’s your mobile or computer.

1. Google Search: Simply search for "My IP" on Google, and your public IP address will appear at the top of the results.
2. WhatIsMyIP: Visit WhatIsMyIP to view your public IP address.
3. WhatIsMyIPAddress: Another reliable site is WhatIsMyIPAddress, which provides your public IP along with additional information

Example Result:

Note: If the snippet with your IP address doesn’t appear immediately, scroll to the bottom of the page to locate it.

How to Find Your IP Address on Windows?

 Step 1 - Click Start or click in the search box and type cmd.

 Step 2 - Click on the Command Prompt. In the Windows cmd type "ipconfig" and press enter.

• You can find your IP Address after ipconfig command output as respectively.
• If you’re connected to the internet by an Ethernet, then the IP Address will appear in the Ethernet adapter Ethernet Section.
• If you’re connected through Wi-Fi to the internet, then the IP Address will appear in the Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi section.
• If you’re connected to both networks simultaneously, then both IP addresses are displayed.

How to Find Your IP Address on Linux?

Method 1: Using the ip Command

Step 1 - Open Linux Terminal or use (Ctrl+Alt+T).

Step 2 - Run the Command: "ip a"

This will display all network interfaces and their details. Look for the line that starts with inet under your active network interface (such as eth0 for Ethernet or wlan0 for Wi-Fi). The IP address will be displayed next to inet (e.g., inet 192.168.1.10/24).

Method 2: Using the ifconfig Command (Older Method)

Step 1 - Open Linux Terminal.

Step 2 - Click on the Terminal, and type "ifconfig" and press Enter.

The IP Address in Linux Terminal is listed next to the eth0, wlan0 name as shown below.

How to Find Your IP Address on MacOS?

Method 1: Using System Preferences

• Step 1 - Open the Apple Menu.
• Step 2 - Open System Preferences.
• Step 3 - Click on Network Pane, and select the active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
• Step 4 - IP address will be displayed on the right side under the Status section.

Method 2: Using Terminal

• Step 1 - Open the Terminal app by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
• Step 2 - To find your local IP address, type the following command: "ifconfig"
• Step 3 - Look for the en0 (Wi-Fi) or en1 (Ethernet) section. Under this, find the line starting with inet (this is your local/Private IP address).

Example: inet 192.168.x.x

Note: To find your public IP address, you can use the following command: "curl ifconfig.me"

How to Find My IP Address on My Phone

For iPhone (iOS):

1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your home screen.
2. Wi-Fi Settings: Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Connected Network: Tap the information icon (i) next to your connected Wi-Fi network.
4. IP Address: Under the "IPV4 Address" section, you'll see your IP address listed.

For Android:

1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your phone.
2. Network & Internet: Tap Network & Internet, then select Wi-Fi.
3. Connected Network: Tap your connected Wi-Fi network.
4. IP Address: Scroll down to find your IP address under "Advanced" or "IP address."

If you’re using mobile data (and not Wi-Fi), your public IP address is assigned by your carrier, and it is typically the same for all devices on the network. You can find it by searching "What is my IP" in a browser, or using any IP lookup website.

Conclusion

Finding your IP address is a simple task that can be done in various ways depending on the device you're using. Whether you're on a Windows PC, Mac, or mobile device, there are quick steps to help you locate your IP address.

Understanding your IP address is essential for troubleshooting network issues, configuring devices, and ensuring secure online activities. With the right methods and tools, it's relatively easy to access and manage your IP address for a smooth and safe digital experience.