How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device
Finding your IP address is simple, but there are two different IPs you might be looking for: your public IP (what the internet sees) and your private/local IP (what your router assigned to your device). Here's how to find both on every major platform.
Finding Your Public IP Address
The easiest way to find your public IP is to visit a tool like this one - It reads the IP from your incoming connection. You can also use command-line methods:
| Method | Command / URL | Works On |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsMyIP.now | Visit this page | Any browser |
| curl command | curl https://api.ipify.org | Mac, Linux, Windows (PowerShell) |
| PowerShell | Invoke-RestMethod https://api.ipify.org | Windows |
| dig command | dig +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.com | Mac, Linux |
Finding Your Private (Local) IP Address
| Platform | Steps |
|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi or Ethernet → Properties → scroll to IPv4 address |
| macOS | System Settings → Network → select your connection → shows IP next to "IP Address" |
| Linux (GUI) | Network Manager icon → Connection Information → IP Address |
| Linux (Terminal) | ip addr show or hostname -I |
| iPhone / iPad | Settings → Wi-Fi → tap (i) next to connected network → IP Address |
| Android | Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → tap network name → Advanced → IP address |
| Chrome OS | System tray → Network → connected network → expand details → IP address |
| Router admin | Log in to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 - See all connected devices and their IPs |
Public vs Private - Which One Do You Need?
- Use your public IP when configuring external services, whitelisting IPs in cloud platforms, or troubleshooting internet connectivity with your ISP.
- Use your private IP when configuring local services (file sharing, printers, local servers) or when setting up port forwarding on your router.
- If someone online asks for your IP (e.g. in gaming), they want your public IP - Never share it with people you don't trust.
Finding Your Default Gateway (Router) IP
A third address matters for troubleshooting: your default gateway - The router's own private IP, which is also where its admin panel lives.
| Platform | Command / Path | Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ipconfig in Command Prompt | "Default Gateway" under your active adapter |
| macOS | netstat -nr | grep default in Terminal | First IP on the "default" line |
| Linux | ip route | IP after "default via" |
| iPhone | Settings → Wi-Fi → ⓘ → Router | "Router" field |
| Android | Settings → Wi-Fi → network details | "Gateway" field (location varies by vendor) |
Finding Your IPv6 Address
If your ISP supports IPv6, your devices hold IPv6 addresses alongside IPv4. The same OS screens listed above show them: look for a short fe80:: link-local address (local network only) and a longer global address starting with 2 or 3, which is your public IPv6. Unlike IPv4, your device's global IPv6 address is usually visible directly to websites - There is no NAT hiding it - Though modern systems rotate "privacy extension" addresses (RFC 8981) regularly. See IPv4 vs IPv6 for why both exist.
On the command line, ipconfig (Windows) and ip -6 addr (Linux) list every IPv6 address an interface holds - Expect several at once: a stable address, one or more rotating temporary addresses, and the fe80:: link-local entry. Websites see whichever temporary address is currently active, so an external check may show an IPv6 address that your settings screen lists only halfway down.
Troubleshooting: When the IP You Find Looks Wrong
- An address starting 169.254 means DHCP failed and your device self-assigned a link-local IP - Reconnect or restart the router.
- A public IP starting 100.64–100.127 in your router's WAN status means your ISP uses Carrier-Grade NAT - Your "real" public IP is shared with other customers.
- If our homepage shows a different country or city than expected, you may be on a VPN, corporate proxy, or your ISP routes traffic regionally - Run the IP lookup tool to see the registered owner.
- Different IPs on Wi-Fi vs cellular are normal - Each network assigns its own.
What This Means for You
Knowing which IP to look up - And where - Turns many "the internet is broken" moments into two-minute fixes. The pattern to remember: public IP questions (geo-blocks, bans, remote access, whitelisting) are answered by a website like this one, because only an outside observer can tell you what the world sees. Private IP questions (printers, port forwarding, LAN games) are answered inside your device's network settings or your router's client list. If the two kinds of address still feel interchangeable, read the dedicated guides on public and private addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the IP on my device different from the one websites see?
Your device settings show the private IP your router assigned (usually 192.168.x.x), while websites see your router's public IP. NAT translates between the two, which is why both answers are correct - They are different addresses for different scopes.
What is the fastest way to find my public IP?
Open WhatsMyIP.now in any browser - The address on the homepage is your public IP as the internet sees it. From a terminal, curl https://api.ipify.org gives the same result in one line.
Do I have one IP address or several?
Several. A typical device has a private IPv4 address per network interface, often a global IPv6 address and a link-local IPv6 address, and shares one public IPv4 address through the router. Each serves a different layer of the network.