How to Find Your IP Address on Windows 10 & 11
Windows provides several ways to find both your public IP address (visible to the internet) and your private IP address (your local network address assigned by your router). Knowing both is essential for network troubleshooting, port forwarding, and understanding your privacy posture.
Method Comparison
| Method | What It Shows | Public or Private | Command / Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit whatsmyipnow.com | Your public IPv4 and IPv6 | Public | Open any browser |
| Command Prompt - Ipconfig | All network adapters and their private IPs | Private | ipconfig |
| ipconfig /all | Private IP, subnet, gateway, DNS, MAC address | Private | ipconfig /all |
| PowerShell | Structured IP info per adapter | Private | Get-NetIPAddress |
| Settings → Network | Connected adapter IP, subnet, gateway | Private | Settings → Network & Internet → your adapter → Properties |
| Task Manager → Performance | Quick IP per adapter (Windows 11) | Private | Task Manager → Performance → Wi-Fi or Ethernet |
Using Command Prompt (ipconfig)
Press Win + R, type cmd, press Enter. In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the adapter you are using (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). The IPv4 Address line shows your private IP (e.g. 192.168.1.100). The Default Gateway is your router's IP. For more detail including your MAC address and DNS servers, run ipconfig /all.
Using PowerShell
Open PowerShell (search "PowerShell" in the Start menu). Run Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 for a table of all IPv4 addresses. Run Get-NetIPConfiguration for a comprehensive view including gateway and DNS per adapter.
Key Facts About Windows IP Addresses
- Your private IP (shown by ipconfig) starts with 192.168, 10., or 172.16–31 - It is never visible to external websites.
- Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and shared by all devices on your home network through NAT.
- Running
ipconfig /releasefollowed byipconfig /renewrequests a new private IP lease from your router via DHCP. - Windows 10 and 11 support IPv6 natively - If your router provides it, you will see an IPv6 address in ipconfig output.
- To set a static private IP, go to Settings → Network & Internet → your adapter → Edit → Manual.
Decoding ipconfig /all Output
The full ipconfig /all listing is dense, but only a handful of lines matter for everyday troubleshooting.
| Field | Meaning | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| IPv4 Address | Your private IP on this network | Should be 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16–31.x.x |
| Subnet Mask | Which addresses are on your local network | Usually 255.255.255.0 at home |
| Default Gateway | Your router - The exit to the internet | Empty gateway = no route out; check cabling/Wi-Fi |
| DHCP Server | Who issued your lease | Normally the same as the gateway at home |
| DNS Servers | Who answers your name lookups | Verify after changing DNS settings |
| Lease Obtained / Expires | Your DHCP lease window | Explains when your private IP may change |
| Physical Address | The adapter's MAC address | Needed for router DHCP reservations |
The three commands worth memorising
ipconfig /release gives up your current lease, ipconfig /renew requests a new one, and ipconfig /flushdns clears the local DNS cache - The classic first-aid sequence when Windows says "No internet" on a network that works for other devices.
Troubleshooting by Address Pattern
- 169.254.x.x - Windows self-assigned an address because no DHCP server answered. Check the router, the cable, or whether the adapter is set to a manual configuration left over from another network.
- Two adapters with addresses - Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected at once; Windows prefers the faster metric, but VPN and game traffic can pick the wrong one. Disable the unused adapter when diagnosing.
- Correct private IP but no internet - The LAN is fine; the problem is upstream. Test by pinging the gateway (
ping 192.168.1.1), then a public IP (ping 1.1.1.1), then a name (ping example.com) to isolate router, ISP, or DNS. - Public IP differs from router's WAN IP - You are behind carrier-grade NAT; port forwarding will not work without ISP help.
What This Means for You
Windows gives you more IP visibility than any phone or console, and the payoff is faster diagnosis: one ipconfig /all tells you whether the problem is your adapter, your router, or your ISP. For routine life, two facts cover most situations - The address ipconfig shows is local-only and safe to share in screenshots, while the address websites see belongs to your router and is checked from a browser, not a command prompt. If you need a consistent address for port forwarding or remote desktop, prefer a DHCP reservation in the router over a manual setting on the PC, so laptops keep working when you take them elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does ipconfig show a different IP than websites do?
Because they answer different questions. ipconfig reports your private address inside your home network; websites report the public address your router presents to the internet. Both are correct simultaneously - Every device behind one router shares that single public IP through NAT.
How do I get a new public IP on Windows?
You cannot do it from Windows alone, because the public address belongs to your router and ISP. Restart the router (works on many ISPs), leave it off longer if the same address returns, or use a VPN to present a different address instantly without touching your line.
Is it safe to share my ipconfig output?
Mostly. Private IPs, subnet mask, and gateway are the same in millions of homes and reveal nothing useful. The MAC address ties output to your hardware, and any public IPv6 address on the adapter identifies your connection - Blur those two when posting screenshots publicly.