Learn How to Check Your IP Address on PC

What Is an IP Address and Why You Might Want to Know Yours

An IP address is a unique set of numbers assigned to your computer that allows it to communicate with other devices and services on the internet. Think of it like a mailing address for your computer — when you visit a website or send an email, your IP address tells the receiving computer where to send information back to you. Every device connected to the internet has an IP address, whether it's a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

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IP addresses come in two main formats. The older format, called IPv4, uses four groups of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.1. The newer format, called IPv6, uses longer combinations of numbers and letters to provide many more possible addresses for all the devices connecting to the internet. Most home users still work primarily with IPv4 addresses, though IPv6 is becoming more common as more devices connect online.

There are two types of IP addresses you might encounter. Your public IP address is what websites and services see when you connect to the internet — this is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and can change periodically. Your private IP address is used only within your home network and helps your router direct information to the right device. Understanding the difference between these can help you troubleshoot connection problems or configure network settings.

Knowing your IP address can be useful for several reasons. If you're having trouble connecting to the internet or a specific service, technical support may ask for your IP address to help diagnose the problem. If you're setting up a home network or trying to connect devices to your printer or other equipment, you may need to know your computer's IP address. Some people also check their public IP address to verify their location or to understand what information websites can see about their connection.

Practical Takeaway: Before you look up your IP address, understand which one you need. Write down whether you're searching for your public IP address (what the internet sees) or your private IP address (your computer's address on your home network). This will help you use the right method to find it.

Finding Your IP Address Using the Command Prompt on Windows

The Command Prompt is a built-in Windows tool that displays technical information about your computer and network. It's one of the most straightforward ways to find your private IP address on a Windows PC. You don't need to install anything or use special programs — the tool is already on your computer and takes only a few moments to use.

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To open Command Prompt, click the Start menu in the lower left corner of your screen. Type "cmd" (without the quotes) into the search box and press Enter. A black window should appear with white text. You're now in Command Prompt. Type the command "ipconfig" and press Enter. Your screen will display several lines of information about your network connection.

Look for the section labeled "Ethernet" if your computer is connected with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" or "Wi-Fi" if you're using wireless connection. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address." The numbers shown there (in the format like 192.168.1.5) are your private IP address. This is the address your computer uses within your home network. Write this down if you need it for configuring devices or troubleshooting.

If you need more detailed network information, you can type "ipconfig /all" instead of just "ipconfig." This shows additional details like your MAC address (another identifier for your computer), your default gateway (usually your router), and your DNS servers (which help translate website names into IP addresses). Most people only need the basic IPv4 address, but this expanded view can be helpful if you're doing more advanced network troubleshooting or setup.

If you see multiple network adapters listed, look for the one that shows you're currently connected. You'll know it's active because it will have an IPv4 address listed. If an adapter shows "Media disconnected," that means it's not currently being used. Close Command Prompt by typing "exit" and pressing Enter, or simply close the window.

Practical Takeaway: Save your private IP address in a text file or notebook if you're about to configure network devices. Having it written down prevents you from needing to open Command Prompt repeatedly, and it's useful to have on hand if you contact technical support.

Finding Your Public IP Address Through a Web Browser

Your public IP address is what the internet sees when you browse websites or use online services. Unlike your private IP address (which you found through Command Prompt), your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and is visible to websites you visit. Finding this information is simple and requires only a web browser.

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Open any web browser on your computer — Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Safari all work equally well. Visit a website that displays your public IP address. Several well-known sites offer this service at no cost, including WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, IPChicken.com, or Google (just search "what is my IP address" and Google will display it at the top of the results). Each of these sites works the same way — they detect the IP address your computer is using to connect to the internet and display it on the page.

When you visit one of these sites, you'll see your public IP address displayed prominently, usually in large numbers. The address appears in the same format as your private IP address (four groups of numbers separated by periods). Some sites provide additional information alongside your IP address, such as your approximate geographical location, your internet service provider's name, and sometimes your general city or region. This information is gathered from databases that track which IP addresses belong to which ISPs and general service areas.

Keep in mind that your public IP address may change over time. Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses, meaning your ISP can reassign a different address to your modem periodically. This might happen when your modem restarts or after a certain period of time passes. Some ISPs change public IP addresses daily, while others may keep the same one for months. If you need a permanent IP address that doesn't change, you would need to contact your ISP about upgrading to a static IP address, which usually involves an additional fee.

If you're concerned about privacy, understand that websites you visit can see your public IP address. This is necessary for the internet to function — websites need to know where to send information back to you. However, your ISP can connect your public IP address to your account, so your internet activity can potentially be traced back to your account with them.

Practical Takeaway: Check your public IP address when you first set up your internet connection and make note of it. If you ever need to report a problem to your ISP or notice suspicious activity, you'll already know what your normal IP address looks like.

Using Windows Settings to Find Network Information

Windows Settings provides a graphical interface for viewing network information without using Command Prompt. If you prefer not to type commands, this method offers an alternative way to find your private IP address and other network details. The Settings app is organized in a way that makes it straightforward to locate the information you need.

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To access this method, click the Start menu and select "Settings" (it may show a gear icon). In Windows 10 and 11, click "Network & Internet" from the menu on the left side. You'll see several options including "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet," depending on how your computer connects to the internet. Click whichever applies to your setup. If you're connected by cable, select "Ethernet." If you're using wireless, select "Wi-Fi."

Once you've selected your connection type, look for a button or link that says "View your network properties" or something similar. Windows will display detailed information about your connection, including your IPv4 address. The numbers shown are your private IP address on your home network. You'll also see other useful information like your default gateway (which is typically your router's address) and your DNS servers (which help translate website names into numbers the internet can use).

This Settings method has some advantages over Command Prompt. You can see all the information in a clear, organized layout without needing to read through command output. The information is presented in labeled sections that are easy to understand. Additionally, some people find it easier to copy the information from Settings by selecting and copying the text, rather than trying to select it from a Command Prompt window.

If you need to change any of these network settings — such as configuring a static IP address for a specific device — you can often do