What Is My IP Address? – IPv4 & IPv6
ⓘ IP geolocation is approximate and may differ between providers. Location accuracy is typically at the city level.
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Real-time tool usage across WhatsMyIP.nowWhat Your IP Address Reveals
Your public IP address is visible to every website and service you connect to. Here is what can typically be determined from it:
- Your approximate city and region
- Your country and time zone
- Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Whether you are using a VPN, proxy, or Tor
- Whether your IP is associated with hosting or datacenter services
- Your ASN (Autonomous System Number)
What it cannot reveal: your exact street address, your name, or your precise location. IP geolocation is approximate.
What someone can do with your IPWhat Brought You Here?
Most people checking their IP are trying to solve one of three problems. Pick the one that fits.
How IP Addresses Work
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device on a network. It serves two main functions: host identification and location addressing.
IPv4 vs IPv6
IPv4 addresses use a 32-bit format (e.g. 192.168.1.1) and support around 4.3 billion unique addresses. IPv6 uses 128 bits (e.g. 2001:db8::1) and supports a virtually unlimited address space - Around 340 undecillion addresses.
| Property | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Bit length | 32 | 128 |
| Address format | 192.0.2.1 | 2001:db8::1 |
| Total addresses | ~4.3 billion | ~340 undecillion |
| NAT required | Often | Rarely |
| Adoption | Universal | Growing |
Static vs Dynamic IPs
Most home internet connections use a dynamic IP - Your ISP assigns a new address periodically. Businesses and servers typically use static IPs that never change. Dynamic IPs provide a small amount of natural privacy; static IPs are easier to track over time.
Public vs Private IPs
Your private IP (e.g. 192.168.x.x) is only visible inside your local network. Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and is what the internet sees. Network Address Translation (NAT) maps many private IPs to a single public IP.
Why the Location Above May Be Wrong
IP geolocation is an estimate, not a measurement. No database knows where you are — they infer it from who owns the address block and where that network routes traffic. Country is almost always right; city frequently is not.
| Detail | Typical accuracy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Over 99% | Address blocks are allocated to networks by region |
| Region / state | High | Most ISPs route regionally |
| City | 50-80% | Often shows the ISP's routing hub, not you |
| Street address | Never | Not derivable from an IP address at all |
Common reasons it looks wrong
- Mobile data — carriers route through regional gateways, so a phone in one city routinely appears in another hundreds of kilometres away.
- VPN or proxy — you are shown the exit server's location, which is the entire point. Confirm yours is working
- Corporate or campus networks — traffic often egresses from a head office in a different city or country.
- Carrier-grade NAT — your ISP shares one public address across many subscribers. How NAT works
- Stale databases — address blocks get reassigned between networks faster than geolocation providers refresh.
Different providers disagree with each other for exactly these reasons, which is why two IP-lookup sites can show two different cities for the same address. The full accuracy breakdown · Compare another address
Finding Your IP Address on Your Device
The address above is your public IP — the one every website sees. Your device also has a private IP on your local network, and finding it differs by platform.
| Device | Where to look | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | Settings › Wi-Fi › tap the ⓘ beside your network | iPhone walkthrough |
| Android | Settings › Network & internet › tap your network › Advanced | Android walkthrough |
| Windows 10 / 11 | Command Prompt › run ipconfig, or Settings › Network | Windows walkthrough |
| Mac | System Settings › Network › Details, or ifconfig in Terminal | Mac walkthrough |
| PlayStation 5 | Settings › Network › View Connection Status | PS5 walkthrough |
| Xbox | Settings › General › Network settings › Advanced | Xbox walkthrough |
A private address starting 192.168, 10. or 172.16-31 is your router talking to your device and is not visible online. Why private ranges exist · Every method, every platform
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How to Hide Your IP Address
There are three primary methods to mask your real IP and improve online privacy. Each has different trade-offs in speed, security, and ease of use.
Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network routes your traffic through a server in another location, masking your real IP. This is the most reliable and widely used method.
- Full traffic encryption
- Hides IP from all sites
- Bypass geo-restrictions
Use a Proxy
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between you and websites. Proxies are faster but offer less encryption and fewer privacy guarantees than a VPN.
- Fast and lightweight
- Application-level only
- No traffic encryption
Use Tor
The Tor network routes your traffic through multiple relays for strong anonymity. It is slower but very effective for privacy-sensitive browsing.
- Strongest anonymity
- Free to use
- Slower speeds
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October 12, 2026Frequently Asked Questions
What is my IP address?
Your IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to your device on the internet. It allows servers and websites to identify where to send data. Learn more about IP addresses →
Can someone find my location from my IP address?
IP geolocation is approximate. It typically reveals your city and country, but not your exact street address. Accuracy varies between providers. How IP geolocation works →
How do I hide my IP address?
You can hide your IP address using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a proxy server, or Tor. A VPN is the most reliable option for everyday use. How a VPN hides your IP →
Is my IP address permanent?
Most residential ISPs assign dynamic IPs that can change over time. You can request a static IP from your ISP, though this may cost extra. Check if your IP is static or dynamic →
What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the newer version of the Internet Protocol. It uses 128-bit addresses (vs. 32-bit in IPv4), allowing for a vastly larger number of unique addresses. IPv4 vs IPv6 explained →
From Our Knowledge Base
Common questions about IP addresses, privacy, and network security - Answered.
What Does My IP Address Reveal?
Your IP address reveals your ISP, approximate city, and whether you use a VPN or proxy. It does not reveal your name or exact address.
IP AddressWhat Is Geolocation?
Geolocation is the process of determining a device's real-world location using IP address data, GPS, Wi-Fi, or cell tower signals. Each method has different accuracy.
IP AddressIs My IP Address Static or Dynamic?
Most home internet connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically. Businesses often pay for static IPs that stay the same.
IP AddressDoes a VPN Hide Your IP Address?
Yes, a properly configured VPN replaces your real IP with the VPN server's IP. However, DNS leaks and WebRTC can expose your real IP even with a VPN active.
VPNHow Does a VPN Work?
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location, hiding your real IP address from websites and your ISP.
VPNDoes Incognito Mode Hide Your IP Address?
No. Incognito mode only prevents local history from being saved. Your IP address remains fully visible to websites, your ISP, and network administrators.
PrivacyWhat Is a VPN Leak?
A VPN leak happens when your real IP address or DNS queries escape the encrypted tunnel and become visible to websites or your ISP, defeating the purpose of the VPN.
VPNWhat Is IP Spoofing?
IP spoofing is a technique where an attacker sends packets with a forged source IP address, hiding their identity or impersonating another system.
SecurityHow Are IP Addresses Allocated?
IP addresses are allocated through a hierarchical system: IANA distributes large blocks to five regional registries (RIRs), which assign smaller blocks to ISPs and organizations, who then assign individual addresses to devices.
IP AddressWhat Is an IP Blacklist?
An IP blacklist (or blocklist) is a database of IP addresses known to send spam, launch attacks, or engage in abuse. Being listed can block your email and web traffic.
Security