How to find your IP address?

Your IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to your device on a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Finding it is straightforward and depends on whether you're looking for your public (external) IP or your private (internal) IP.

Understanding IP Addresses

There are two main types of IP addresses relevant to your device:

• Private IP Address: This is the address assigned to your device within your local network (e.g., your home or office network). Devices on the same local network use these addresses to communicate with each other. Your router typically assigns these.
• Public IP Address: This is the address that identifies your network to the outside world, specifically to the internet. All devices on your local network share the same public IP address when communicating with servers outside your network. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns this to your router.

Finding Your Public IP Address

To find your public IP address, which is the address your network presents to the internet, the easiest method is to use an online service.

1. Open a web browser.
2. Go to a dedicated "What is my IP address" website or simply type "What is my IP address?" into a search engine like Google or Bing.
3. The website or search results will prominently display your public IP address.
   • Example: You can use a reputable service such as WhatIsMyIP.com.

Finding Your Private IP Address

Your private IP address identifies your device within your local network. The steps to find it vary slightly depending on your operating system.

On Windows

To find your device's private IPv4 address on a Windows computer:

1. Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Then, select the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to.
3. Under Properties, look for your IP address listed next to IPv4 address.

Alternatively, using Command Prompt or PowerShell:

1. Press Windows key + R, type cmd (or powershell) and press Enter.
2. In the command prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
3. Look for your active network adapter (e.g., "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi") and find the IPv4 Address.

On macOS

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).
2. Click on Network in the sidebar.
3. Select your active connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Your IP address will be displayed beneath the connection status, or you may need to click Details (or Advanced on older versions) to see more information.

On Linux

You can use the terminal to find your IP address on Linux:

1. Open the Terminal application.
2. Type ip addr or ifconfig (if ifconfig is installed) and press Enter.
3. Look for your active network interface (e.g., eth0 for wired, wlan0 for wireless) and find the inet address.

On Mobile Devices (iOS/Android)

1. iOS (iPhone/iPad):
   • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
   • Tap the "i" icon next to the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
   • Your IP address will be listed under the IP Address field.
2. Android:
   • Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
   • Tap on the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
   • Depending on your Android version, you may need to tap Advanced or scroll down to see your IP address.

Quick Reference Table