What Is My IP Address?

Your public IP address is how the internet identifies you. This tool instantly detects your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses using multiple detection methods.

Detecting your IP address...

What is my IP address tool showing public IPv4 and IPv6

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. Think of it as your device's mailing address — it tells other computers and servers where to send data so it reaches you and not someone else.

Every time you visit a website, send an email, or stream a video, your IP address is included in the data packets so the server knows where to send the response. Without an IP address, the internet simply wouldn't work — there would be no way to route information to the correct destination.

There are two types of IP addresses you should know about (defined by RFC 791):

Public IP address — the address the outside world sees. This is what's shown by the tool above. It's assigned by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and is visible to every website you visit.
Private IP address — used inside your home network (like 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1). Your router uses NAT (Network Address Translation) to let all your devices share one public IP.

IPv4 vs IPv6: What's the Difference?

The tool above may show you one or both types of IP address. Here's how they compare:

Feature	IPv4	IPv6
Format	`192.168.1.1` (4 decimal groups)	`2001:0db8:85a3::7334` (8 hex groups)
Address Size	32-bit	128-bit
Total Addresses	~4.3 billion	~340 undecillion
Example	203.0.113.42	2607:f8b0:4004:800::200e
Adoption	Still dominant (~75%)	Growing (~25% globally)
NAT Required?	Yes (addresses are scarce)	No (every device can have a unique IP)
Security	Optional IPSec	Built-in IPSec

IPv4 is running out of addresses — that's why IPv6 was created. Your ISP may give you both (called "dual-stack") or just one. If the tool above only shows IPv4, your ISP hasn't enabled IPv6 yet.

Pro Tip: If you see an IPv6 address that starts with fe80::, that's a link-local address — it's only used within your local network, not on the internet.

What Can Someone Do with Your IP Address?

Your public IP address reveals more about you than you might think:

Information	Can They See It?	How Accurate?
Country	Yes	~99% accurate
City / Region	Yes	~70-80% accurate
ISP Name	Yes	Very accurate
Zip / Postal Code	Sometimes	~50-60% accurate
Exact Street Address	No	Not possible from IP alone
Your Name / Identity	No	Only your ISP has this mapping
Browsing History	No	Not visible from IP

While your IP can't reveal your exact identity, it can be used to:

Geo-restrict content — streaming services use your IP to determine which content library to show you
Target advertising — ad networks use approximate location for local ads
Rate limiting — websites can block or throttle your IP if you make too many requests
Legal requests — law enforcement can subpoena your ISP to match an IP to a subscriber

How to Protect Your IP Address

If you want to keep your IP address private, here are effective methods:

Use a VPN — a Virtual Private Network encrypts your traffic and routes it through a server in another location, hiding your real IP. See our guide on setting up a VPN on your router to protect all devices at once.
Use the Tor Browser — routes your traffic through multiple nodes, making it nearly impossible to trace back to your IP. Slower than a VPN but more anonymous.
Use a proxy server — acts as an intermediary between you and the websites you visit. Less secure than a VPN but simpler for basic use.
Request a dynamic IP — most ISPs assign dynamic IPs that change periodically. Restarting your router may give you a new IP.

Important: Free VPNs and proxies may log your traffic or inject ads. Always use a reputable, paid VPN service for genuine privacy protection.

Static vs Dynamic IP Addresses

Your ISP assigns your public IP in one of two ways:

Feature	Static IP	Dynamic IP
Changes?	Never (fixed)	Periodically (days/weeks)
Cost	Usually extra ($5-15/month)	Included with service
Best For	Servers, security cameras, remote access	General browsing, most users
Privacy	Lower (always same IP)	Higher (IP changes regularly)
Port Forwarding	Reliable	May break when IP changes

Most home users have a dynamic IP, which is fine for everyday use. If you need to set up port forwarding or host a server, consider a static IP or use Dynamic DNS (DDNS) as a workaround.

How to Find Your IP Address Manually

Besides using the tool above, you can find your IP on any device:

Windows

Open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig

Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter for your private IP. For your public IP, use the tool above or run:

nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com

Mac

Open Terminal and run:

ifconfig | grep "inet "

For your public IP:

curl ifconfig.me

iPhone / Android

Go to Settings > WiFi, tap your connected network, and look for IP Address. This shows your private IP. For your public IP, visit this page in your phone's browser.

For a more detailed guide, see our complete guide to finding your router IP address on any device.

Common IP Address Ranges

Range	Type	Usage
10.0.0.0 — 10.255.255.255	Private (Class A)	Large networks, Xfinity/Comcast routers
192.168.0.0 — 192.168.255.255	Private (Class C)	Home routers (most common)
172.16.0.0 — 172.31.255.255	Private (Class B)	Corporate/enterprise networks
127.0.0.0 — 127.255.255.255	Loopback	Localhost (your own machine)
169.254.0.0 — 169.254.255.255	Link-Local	Auto-assigned when DHCP fails
Everything else	Public	Internet-routable addresses

If your IP starts with 10.x, 192.168.x, or 172.16-31.x, you're looking at a private IP — that's your address within your home network, not your public internet address. Use the tool at the top of this page to see your public IP.

Video: Understanding IP Addresses

Pro Tip: Your router's admin panel shows all devices on your network with their private IPs. Check who's connected to your WiFi to spot unauthorized devices using your bandwidth.

Key Takeaways

Your public IP is visible to every website you visit — it's assigned by your ISP
IPv4 (like 192.168.1.1) is still dominant, but IPv6 is growing
Your IP reveals your approximate location and ISP, but not your identity
Use a VPN to hide your real IP address for privacy
Most home users have dynamic IPs that change periodically

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone hack me with my IP address?

Not directly. Knowing your IP alone isn't enough to hack your device. However, a determined attacker could use it to scan for open ports on your router. That's why it's important to keep your router firmware updated and change default admin passwords.

Why does my IP address change?

Most ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that change periodically — usually every few days or when you restart your router. This is normal and actually provides a small privacy benefit since you don't have a permanent address on the internet.

How do I hide my IP address?

The most effective way is using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which routes your traffic through a server in another location. You can install a VPN directly on your router to protect all devices at once.

Is my IPv4 address the same as my IPv6 address?

No. IPv4 and IPv6 are completely different addressing systems. You may have both (dual-stack) or only one. They look different: IPv4 uses decimal numbers (203.0.113.42) while IPv6 uses hexadecimal (2001:db8::1).

Why does this page show a different IP than my router's IP?

Your router has two IPs: a private IP (like 192.168.1.1) used inside your home network, and a public IP assigned by your ISP. This tool shows your public IP. Your router's admin IP is the private one.

Does every device have a different IP address?

On your home network, each device has a different private IP (assigned by DHCP). But they all share the same public IP — your router uses NAT to manage the translation between them.