How to find your IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices

What is an IP address?

An internet protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical identifier for a device on a network, allowing it to send and receive data over the internet or a local network. In simple terms, your IP address is like a home address to which others can send data. Let’s say you want to watch a movie — you send a request to the streaming service, and its server gets back to you with a reply (a movie) using your IP address.

For efficient communication, IP addresses come in two types — public and private (a.k.a. a local IP address).

• A public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP). The router uses this public address to route data to and from it to the internet, making sure that online services, like emails and websites, reach you.
• A private IP address is assigned by your router, usually through a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). It allows devices on the same network to communicate with each other.

You might notice IPv4 and IPv6 addresses when looking for your IP address. Wondering how they’re different? An IPv6 address is usually longer (128-bits) and mixes letters and numbers, while IPv4 addresses are shorter (32-bits) and strictly numerical. The 128-bit address format of IPv6 makes it a better fit for the growing number of new devices connecting to the internet.

IP addresses can also be either static or dynamic. A static IP address remains the same every time your device connects to the network, while a dynamic IP address changes periodically or each time you connect. Most home networks use dynamic IP addresses, which are a more practical option for you and your internet service provider.

How to find your IP address

Finding your IP address on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android is pretty straightforward — it doesn’t require any technical knowledge, just a little detective work. Unless you have a static IP, the instructions below will lead you to the dynamic IP assigned by your ISP.

Windows

Finding your IP address on Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, or 11 takes only a few steps:

Windows 11

1. Open the start menu and click on “Settings.”
2. Click “Network and internet” on the left.
3. Click “Properties” at the top.
4. Scroll down a little and find your IP address listed under IPv4 address.

Windows 10

1. Open the start menu and click on “Settings.”
2. Click “Network and internet.”
3. Click on the network you’re connected to.
4. Scroll down to see your private IP address under IPv4 address.

Windows 8/8.1

1. Open the Start menu, type “Network,” and select “Network connection settings.”
2. Click “Connections” on the left.
3. Click on “Network.”
4. You’ll see your IP address under “IPv4 address.”

Windows 7

1. Open the start menu and click “Control panel.”
2. Under “Network and internet,” click “View network status and tasks.”
3. Click “Local area connection.”
4. In the pop-up window, click “Details.”
5. You’ll see your IP address under “IPv4 address.”

Using the command prompt (CMD)

1. Right-click the Windows Start menu and choose “Run.”
2. Type “cmd” in the search field and click “OK.”
3. In the black and white window, type “ipconfig” and press “Enter.”
4. You’ll see your IP address under “IPv4 address”.

Mac

Follow these steps to find your IP address on your computer running the macOS system:

1. Open the Apple menu and select “System settings.”
2. Click “Network.”
3. Click “Wi-Fi.”
4. Click “Details” next to the network you’re connected to.
5. You’ll see your IP address in the pop-up window.

Mac terminal

1. Open the Mac terminal. You can find it via search in “Utilities.”
2. Enter one of the “ipconfig” Mac commands to find your IP address.
3. For Wi-Fi network, type “ipconfig getifaddr en0” and press “Enter” to find your IP address.
4. For wired connections, type “ipconfig getifaddr en1” and hit “Enter” to see your IP address.

iPhone

All iPhone users need to do to find their IP address is:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Tap “Wi-Fi.”
3. Tap the information icon on the right of the network name.
4. Scroll down to “IPv4 address,” and you’ll find your IP address there.

Android

Finding an IP address on an Android device is also easy:

1. Open “Settings” and tap “Connections.”
2. Tap “Wi-Fi.”
3. Tap the gear icon next to your current network.
4. Tap “View more.”
5. Scroll down to see your device’s IP address.

How to find your IP address using online tools

Using online tools to find your IP address can often be quicker than digging through your computer settings. You have a couple of options:

• Open a search engine. Simply search for “What is my IP address” directly in Google, Bing, or any other preferred search engine. You’ll see your public IP address at the top of the search page.
• Use a website. NordVPN has an IP lookup website designed to show your IP address.

Why knowing your IP address is important

You can typically navigate the web or a network without knowing your IP address. However, you may need to know it in certain situations.

• Accessing devices remotely. Let’s say you’re at work and want to access files on your home computer. To establish this remote desktop connection, you might need to know the public IP address of the computer you wish to access.
• Setting up port forwarding. If you want to set up port forwarding for a LAN party with your friends, you’ll need to know your router’s IP address and the public IP address of the device you want to forward traffic to. Port forwarding will route traffic from the internet to all the connected computers. This setup will let you and your friends play video games remotely as if you were in the same room.
• Hosting a server. If you’re hosting a web server, you’ll need your IP address so people can find you online and connect to your server.

FAQ

What is my local IP address?

Follow these brief instructions below to find your local IP address on different devices:

• Windows. Open the Command Prompt and type “ipconfig,” and you’ll see your IP address under “IPv4 Address.”
• Mac. Select “System preferences” and click “Network.” Next, select your connection and look for “IP address.”
• Mobile devices. Check the Wi-Fi settings of a network you’re connected to.

Can someone track me using my IP address?

Yes, a stranger can track you using your IP address to a certain extent. Third parties may estimate your approximate geographical location using your IP address, but that won’t reveal your physical address. Your IP address may also give out information about your ISP, but it won’t directly identify you. Websites might also use your IP address to log the sites you visit, giving insight into your browsing habits but not your personal information.

So an attacker can’t harm your identity or device just by knowing your IP address. However, if your network has vulnerabilities, such as open ports or weak security, cybercriminals can exploit these weaknesses using your IP address.

How can I protect my IP address from hackers?

The best way to protect your IP address is to use a VPN. Trustworthy services like NordVPN routes your internet traffic through a remote server, masking your real IP address. Plus, it comes with advanced security features. Threat Protection Pro™, for example, will block malicious websites and ads, protect you from trackers, and scan your downloads for malware.

How to change my IP address

The two quickest ways to change your IP address are to restart your router or disconnect and reconnect to a different network. For more detailed instructions on changing your IP address through Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android settings, check out our full tutorial.