How to Find the IP Address of Your Computer, Phone, or Tablet

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Easy ways to find out your local or public IP address
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If you are experiencing problems with your internet service or you need to configure software to work with a firewall, you may need to know your public and/or private IP address. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to find out. This wikiHow article teaches you how to find your public and private IP address on any device with expert tips from computer and tech specialist Luigi Oppido.

Quickly Find Your IP Address

The quickest and easiest way to find your local IP address on Windows is to open the Command Prompt, type "ipconfig /all," and press Enter. To find your local IP address on a Mac, open System Settings, select Network, choose your network, and click "Details." Find your public IP address by searching for "What's my IP address?" in Google.

Section 1 of 11:

Using the Internet

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  1. This is the quickest way to find the public IP address that identifies you to the outside world. Once you press Enter or Return , you'll see your IP address at the top of the page.
    • In most cases, all of the devices on your home or office network will appear to have the same public IP addresses. This is because most home and small office routers automatically assign private IP addresses to all devices on the network so they can communicate with each other.
    • If you want to find your private (or local) IP address, you can generally do so in the internet connection settings on your device, or using the Command Prompt or Terminal. See below to find out how to find your local IP address for your device.
    EXPERT TIP

    Luigi Oppido

    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist

    You can also use the site canyouseeme . It's an open port test tooling site, but it also shows you your IP address immediately, so it's super easy to use.

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Section 2 of 11:

Using Windows 11

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  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings window..
    • Alternatively, you can right-click the Windows Start button and click Settings.
  2. 2
    Click Network & internet . It's in the menu on the left side of your screen.
  3. 3
    Click Advanced network settings . It’s at the bottom of the menu.
  4. 4
    Click Hardware and connection properties . You may need to scroll down. It’s below the “More settings” header.
  5. 5
    Check your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. You’ll find them about a third of the way down the list.
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique address and more connected devices. [1]
    • If the IP address is bugged or not working, try getting a new IP address by unplugging your router for 5 minutes.
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Section 3 of 11:

Using Windows 10

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  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings window. These steps are the same for Windows 10 and 11.
    • Alternatively, you can right-click the Windows Start button and click Settings.
  2. It's the icon that resembles a globe.
  3. 3
    Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet . If you are connected to the internet using Wi-Fi, click Wi-Fi . If you are using a wired connection, click Ethernet .
  4. 4
    Click Advanced Settings or Network Connection . If you are using a wireless connection, click Advanced Settings . If you are using a wired connection, click Network Connection .
  5. 5
    Find your IPv4 or IPv6 here. You’ll find your IP address listed next to "IPv6 address" or "IPv4 address.” [2] [Image:Check a Computer IP Address Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique address and more connected devices. [3]
    • If the IP address is bugged or not working, try getting a new IP address by unplugging your router for 5 minutes.
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Section 4 of 11:

Using Windows Command Prompt

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  1. To do so, click the Windows Start menu. Then type cmd into the search bar and click Command Prompt . You can also right-click the Windows Start menu and click Command Prompt or Terminal .
    • This method will help you find your local (private) IP address on Windows 10 and 11, as well as older versions like Windows 7 & 8.
    • According to Oppido, using the command prompt is the easiest way to obtain your IP address on a PC.
  2. This command displays your IP configuration, including your local (private) IP address. [4]
  3. You'll see your computer's IP address next to "IPv4 Address" or “IPv6 Address” in the section for your connection.
    • For example, if you have a wireless internet connection, your IP address will appear under "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" or similar.
    • The IP address that appears next to "Default Gateway" is your router's IP address , which is helpful if you need to connect to your router to change your Wi-Fi password or do other administrative tasks.
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique addresses and more connected devices.
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Section 5 of 11:

Using Windows Control Panel

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  1. 1
    Open the Control Panel. This works for all versions of Windows, including Windows 7 & 8. To open the Control Panel, click the Windows Start menu. Type “Control Panel” and then click Control Panel .
    • On Windows 7 & 8, you can just click Control Panel in the Windows Start menu.
  2. 2
    Click Network and Internet . It’s the green text next to the icon that resembles a globe with two computer screens next to it.
  3. 3
    Click Network and Sharing Center . It’s the green text at the top of the menu.
  4. 4
    Double-click your internet connection. You may see several network adapters for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, etc. Double-click the one you are currently using. The ones you are not using will have a red “x” on them.
  5. 5
    Click Details . This displays the information for your network connection.
  6. 6
    Check your IPv4 or IPv6 address. This will be your local IP address. [5]
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique addresses and more connected devices.
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Section 6 of 11:

Using Mac System Settings

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  1. You can get there by clicking the Apple icon at the top-left corner of the screen and selecting System Settings . [6]
    • System Settings is only available on macOS Ventura and later. If you're using macOS Monterey or earlier, click the Apple menu and select System Preferences instead.
  2. On macOS Ventura and later, you'll see this in the left panel. [7]
    • On earlier Mac versions, click the Network globe icon in the System Preferences window.
  3. If you're connected wirelessly, click the Wi-Fi option. Or, if using a wired connection, select your Ethernet connection. [8]
    • If you're using macOS Monterey or earlier, you'll see your IP address in the panel. If you're using Wi-Fi, it'll appear under "Status: Connected." For wired, you'll see the address next to "IP Address" below the status.
  4. If you're using macOS Monterey or earlier, you can skip this step, as you'll already see your IP address on this window. On Ventura and later, click the button near the top of the window across from the name of your connection.
  5. Your IP address appears next to "IPv4 Address" or "IPv6 Address" near the top of the TCP/IP tab. [9]
    • Your router's IP address is just below your computer's IP address, next to "Router."
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique addresses and more connected devices.
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Section 7 of 11:

Using the Mac Terminal

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  1. 1
    Open the Terminal. You can find the Terminal in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. To open the Terminal quickly, click the magnifying glass/spotlight icon in the upper-right corner of your desktop. Search “Terminal” and click Terminal.app.
  2. 2
    Enter one of the following commands and press ↵ Enter to find your local IP address. Depending on if you are connected to Wi-Fi or have a wired connection, enter one of the following commands. This will display your local IP address:
    • Wi-Fi : ipconfig getifaddr en0
    • Wired : ipconfig getifaddr en1
  3. 3
    Find your public IP address. In addition to finding your local IP address, you can use the following command to find your public IP address: [10]
    • Enter curl ifconfig.me and press Enter .
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Section 8 of 11:

Using Linux

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  1. 1
    Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal. You can click the Terminal icon in your software list, or use the keyboard shortcut to open the Terminal.
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique addresses and more connected devices.
  2. 2
    Type ip addr show and press ↵ Enter . This will display information related to your IP address. Check your IP address info in the section labeled “etho0.“ [11]
    • You can find your IPv4 address next to “inet” or “inet address.”
    • You can find your IPv6 address next to “inet6” or “ether.”
  3. 3
    Type ifconfig -a and press ↵ Enter . This is another command similar to the other. This will show you your internet connection information. Look for your connection information below the “en0” label if you are using a wireless connection or “en1” if you are using a wired connection. [12]
    • You can find your IPv4 address next to “inet” or “inet address.” You can find your iPv6 address next to “inet6” or “ether.”
    • To use this command, you need to have Net-tools installed. To install Net-tools, type sudo apt-get install net-tools -y and press Enter .
  4. 4
    Find your public IP address. In addition to finding your local IP address, you can use the following command to find your public IP address: [13]
    • Enter curl ifconfig.me and press Enter .
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Section 9 of 11:

Using Android

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  1. You can tap the app icon that looks like a gear, or you can swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel and tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
  2. It's at the bottom of the menu. Unless your phone is a Samsung Galaxy, you can find your local IPv4 and IPv6 address on this page. If you have a Samsung Galaxy, continue to the next step.
    • You can also do this to find the IP address on Android tablets.
  3. Your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses will be listed below “IP Address.”
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique addresses and more connected devices.
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Section 10 of 11:

Using Settings on iPhone

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  1. To do so, open the Settings app. Then tap your Wi-Fi connection to see more details about it.
    • You can also follow along to find your IP address on an iPad.
  2. This blue circled "i" icon will tell you more information about the current connection.
  3. You can find your IP address listed below the “IPv4 Address” and the “IPv6 Address” sections.
    • IPv4 is an older 32-bit protocol that uses a dot-decimal format (i.e., “192.168.1.1”). As such, it has a limited number of unique IP addresses. IPv6 is a newer, 128-bit protocol that uses an alphanumeric hexadecimal format (i.e., “abcd:ef01:365e:fd00:8fba:bca7:9b7a:325”) that allows for many more unique addresses and more connected devices.
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Section 11 of 11:

What is an IP address?

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  1. An IP address allows your computer to communicate over the web. Your IP address is a unique address that is assigned to your computer or device that other devices use to connect to your device through the internet. Your computer or device generally has two IP addresses: a public and a private address. Your public IP address is assigned to your modem or router by your internet service provider (ISP). Your private IP address is assigned to individual devices by your modem or router. Your private IP address is for devices within your local area network to communicate with each other. Your public IP address is used to communicate with devices outside of your network. [14]

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    When we scan documents on the copier to send to our computers, the document goes to a folder but then tells us the server cannot be found. How can I make sure it goes to my PC?
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    You would want to look into port settings on your computers to ensure the connections are correct. It's usually located in "Devices and Printers." As for ports, they are unique to your computer and the other device. If the ports are wrong, the data isn't getting transferred correctly. Think of it like trying to fit a cube in a circle hole, the cube being your data and the hole being the port to your computer.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/differences-between-ipv4-and-ipv6/
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/essential-network-settings-and-tasks-in-windows-f21a9bbc-c582-55cd-35e0-73431160a1b9
      3. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/differences-between-ipv4-and-ipv6/
      4. ↑ https://www.med.unc.edu/it/guide/operating-systems/how-do-i-find-the-host-name-ip-address-or-physical-address-of-my-machine/
      5. ↑ https://www.whatismyip.com/find-local-ip-address-in-windows/
      6. ↑ https://www.security.org/vpn/find-mac-ip-address/
      7. ↑ https://www.security.org/vpn/find-mac-ip-address/
      8. ↑ https://ask.salemstate.edu/kb/find-my-computers-ip-address
      9. ↑ https://networking.grok.lsu.edu/article.aspx?articleid=14834&printable=y
      1. ↑ https://macpaw.com/how-to/find-ip-address-on-mac
      2. ↑ https://www.linuxtrainingacademy.com/determine-public-ip-address-command-line-curl/
      3. ↑ https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatacenter/tutorial/How-to-check-an-IP-address-in-Linux
      4. ↑ https://opensource.com/article/18/5/how-find-ip-address-linux
      5. ↑ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-private-and-public-ip-addresses/

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