Short answer: your public IP shows up instantly on My IP, along with your provider and approximate location. Your private IP is in each device's network settings: on Windows, type ipconfig in the command prompt; on a phone, open the details of your WiFi network.
"What's my IP?" can mean two different things: the address your connection uses on the internet, or the one your computer or phone has inside your home network. To set up a router, open a port, connect to a computer remotely or simply understand what websites can see about you, you need to know which is which and where to find each one.
Public vs private IP address
| Aspect | Public IP | Private IP |
|---|---|---|
| What it identifies | Your internet connection | Each device on your network |
| Who assigns it | Your internet provider | Your router |
| Who can see it | Websites and services you use | Only devices on your network |
| What it starts with | Any number | 192.168, 10 or 172.16–172.31 |
| Where to find it | My IP or your router | The device's network settings |
Every device in your home (computer, phones, TV, console) shares the same public IP, but each one has its own private IP. Your router sits in between.
How to find your public IP
Open My IP on the device and network you want to check. You'll see the address, whether it's IPv4 or IPv6, your provider and the approximate location that geolocation databases associate with that IP.
If you're connected to a VPN, you'll see the VPN server's IP, not yours, which is a quick way to check the VPN works. On mobile data, you'll see your mobile carrier's IP, which is different from your home one.
Check your public IP, provider and approximate location instantly.
Show my IP →How to find your private IP on each device
Windows
- Press Windows + R, type
cmdand press Enter. - Type
ipconfigand press Enter. - Look for IPv4 Address under the adapter you're using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). The Default Gateway is your router's IP.
Without commands: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → the connected network's properties.
Mac
System Settings → Network, choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet and click Details. In Terminal, ipconfig getifaddr en0 returns the IP of the main connection.
iPhone and iPad
Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the (i) next to the network you're connected to and look for IP Address.
Android
Settings → Wi-Fi (or Connections → Wi-Fi), tap the connected network or its gear icon and look for IP address. Menu names vary between manufacturers.
IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 is the classic format: four numbers from 0 to 255 separated by dots, such as 85.123.45.67. It only allows about 4.3 billion addresses, far too few for every connected device in the world. IPv6 is its successor: eight groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons, such as 2a01:cb05:8f1a:2400::1, with a practically unlimited address space. Many connections now have both.
Dynamic IP, static IP and CGNAT
- Dynamic IP: what most home connections have. It can change when you restart the router or from time to time. For everyday use it doesn't matter.
- Static IP: never changes. You need one for a home server, remote camera access or a service that only accepts connections from a fixed IP. Many providers offer it for a small monthly fee; the free alternative is a dynamic DNS service.
- CGNAT: some providers share one public IP among several customers. If the WAN IP your router shows starts with a number between
100.64and100.127, or doesn't match the one on My IP, you're behind CGNAT and can't open ports. Asking your provider to take you off it usually works.
What your IP reveals (and what it doesn't)
Your public IP reveals your internet provider and an approximate location, usually the city or region, and often an inaccurate one: many IPs appear in the city where the provider has its hub. It doesn't reveal your name, street address or phone number. Only your provider can link an IP to your account, and it normally only shares that with the police or a court.
If you don't want websites to see your real IP, the options are a VPN, the Tor Browser or a proxy. Free VPNs often limit speed or data, and some fund themselves by selling browsing data, so check the privacy policy before installing one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my IP address?
Your public IP address (the one websites see) shows up instantly on a tool like My IP. Your private IP address (the one your device has on your home network) is in Windows with the ipconfig command, on a Mac in System Settings → Network, and on your phone in the details of the WiFi network you are connected to.
What is the difference between a public and a private IP address?
Your public IP identifies your internet connection: your provider assigns it and every device in your home shares it. Your private IP identifies each device on your local network: your router assigns it, and it usually starts with 192.168, 10 or 172.16 to 172.31.
Can someone find my home address from my IP?
Not precisely. An IP address reveals your internet provider and an approximate location, usually the city or region, and it is often wrong. Only your provider can link the IP to your account and address, and it normally only discloses that to the police or a court.
Why does my IP address change?
Most home connections have a dynamic IP: the provider can change it when you restart the router or from time to time. If you need one that never changes, for a home server or remote access, ask your provider for a static IP or use a dynamic DNS service.
What is CGNAT?
Carrier-grade NAT is a system some providers use to share one public IP among several customers. If the WAN IP in your router starts with 100.64 to 100.127, or does not match the one My IP shows, you are behind CGNAT and cannot open ports. Many providers will take you off it if you ask.
How can I hide my IP address?
With a VPN, which makes websites see the VPN server's IP instead of yours; with the Tor Browser, slower but more anonymous; or with a proxy. Free VPNs often limit speed or data, and some sell browsing data, so read the privacy policy first.