What is a private IP address?
Private IP address definition
A private IP address is a numerical label assigned to a device within a local network, enabling communication with other devices on the same network while remaining inaccessible from the internet. A private IP address example includes common ranges like 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1, which are used for internal networking and hidden from external access.
Most internet service providers give each home just one public IP address, but with multiple devices in a household, that single IP has to be shared across the network. Your router or DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server assigns a private IP address to each device, keeping internal traffic organized while using network address translation (NAT) to manage internet requests. That's why multiple devices in your home can browse the web under the same public IP address without conflicts.
What is the purpose of a private IP address?
Private IP addresses allow multiple devices to share a single public IP while keeping local network traffic secure and organized. They also help prevent waste — public IPs are limited, and private IPs reduce the need for every device to have its own.
Public vs. private IP address: What are the differences?
A public IP address connects directly to the internet, allowing access to online services, remote device management, and web hosting. In contrast, private IP addresses operate within local networks and cannot be reached from the internet. While public IPs enable direct communication online, private IPs are designed for internal use and follow standardized ranges, allowing them to be reused across multiple networks without conflict.
The biggest differences between these two types of IP addresses:
- A public IP address is assigned by your ISP (internet service provider) and visible online. Your ISP can track your activity.
- A private IP address is assigned by your router for use within your local network. While typically automatic, it can also be manually set if needed.
Here's a deeper look at public vs. private IP addresses:
| Feature | Private IP address | Public IP address |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Hidden from the internet | Exposed to the internet |
| Assigned by | Your router | Your ISP |
| Usage | Used within internal networks | Used to access the internet |
| Security | Safer (not directly exposed) | More vulnerable to attacks |
| Uniqueness | Can be reused across different private networks | Unique across the internet |
Some VPN users opt for a dedicated IP, a unique public IP address assigned to a single user rather than being shared. This service can be useful for remote work, logging in to secure networks, or avoiding CAPTCHAs.
How to tell if an IP address is public or private
Not sure if your IP address is private or public? Follow these steps to check:
- 1.Look up the IP address.
- 2.Compare it with the private IP address ranges (see next section).
- 3.If it falls within those ranges, it's private. If not, it's public.
What are the different private IP address ranges?
Private IP addresses are assigned within specific ranges reserved for private networks by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). These private addresses are used in home and corporate networks but aren't routable on the public internet. Their main job is identifying devices within a local network, keeping internal communication separate from public web traffic.
Both IPv4 and IPv6 have private address ranges.
IPv4 private address ranges
IPv4 addresses reserved for private networks fall into these three address ranges:
- Class A: 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255 (Supports up to 16 million addresses, typically used by large organizations.)
- Class B: 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 (Supports about 1 million addresses, often used by mid-sized networks.)
- Class C: 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255 (Supports up to 65,536 addresses, commonly used in home networks.)
Most home setups use Class C addresses, while larger businesses rely on Class A or B for more scalability.
IPv6 private IP address range
IPv6 eliminates the address shortage issue of IPv4, but private addressing remains useful for internal communication and security. IPv6 has a massive private address space, ensuring a virtually unlimited supply of unique private IPs.
IPv6 private addresses, known as unique local addresses (ULAs), follow a different structure. Their scope is global, meaning they can be used across multiple private networks without conflicts.
- fc00::/7 – The entire ULA range.
- fc00::/8 – Reserved for future use.
- fd00::/8 – Used for locally assigned unique local addresses.
How can you check your private IP address?
Most people don’t think about their private IP address, but it comes in handy in certain situations: when setting up remote access, troubleshooting network issues, or connecting a computer to another device on the same network.
Wondering how to find your IP address? Follow these steps based on your device.
How to find your private IP address on Windows
- 1.Type "cmd" in the Windows search bar and hit "Enter."
- 2.In the command line prompt, type "ipconfig" and press "Enter."
- 3.Look for "IPv4 address" under your active network connection.
How to find your private IP address on Mac
- 1.Click the Apple menu > "System settings."
- 2.Go to "Network" and select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- 3.Your private IP is listed under "Details."
How to find your private IP address on iPhone/iPad
- 1.Open "Settings"> "Wi-Fi."
- 2.Tap your active network.
- 3.Your IP address is listed under "IP address."
How to find your private IP address on Android
- 1.Open "Settings"> "Wi-Fi."
- 2.Tap your active network.
- 3.Find "IP address" under network details.
How to find your IP address on Linux
- 1.Open a terminal.
- 2.Type "ip addr show" and press "Enter."
- 3.Look for the inet value under your active connection.
Advantages of using private IP addresses
Using private IP addresses comes with several practical benefits, especially for security and network management.
- Better security. Your devices stay hidden from the public internet, reducing exposure to threats. NAT (network address translation) also adds a layer of protection by keeping internal IPs private.
- Simplified network management. Private IPs help organize multiple devices within an internal network, allowing communication between printers, file servers, and other devices that don't need an internet connection.
- Efficient use of resources. Private IP address spaces help conserve the limited pool of IPv4 addresses.
- Easier setup. Adding new devices does not require ISP involvement.
Limitations of private IP addresses
While private IP addresses offer several benefits, they also have some important limitations that can affect connectivity and security.
- No direct internet access. Private IPs aren't routable on the public internet. Devices need NAT (network address translation) to communicate externally, which adds an extra step.
- NAT overhead. Translating private IPs to public ones adds processing load, increasing latency and complexity — especially in large networks.
- Risk of IP address conflicts. Manually assigning private IPs without proper management can lead to duplicate addresses, causing network failures until resolved.
- Not globally unique. Many private networks use the same address ranges. When merging networks, overlapping IPs can cause conflicts, requiring renumbering or extra network address translation setups.
How private IP addresses contribute to network security
Private IPs add a layer of security by keeping your devices shielded from external threats. Here's how they help:
- Keeping devices shielded. Since private IPs aren't exposed to the internet, hackers can't target them directly.
- Enabling secure local communication. Devices within the same network can exchange data safely without internet exposure.
- Working with firewalls and NAT. Firewalls block unauthorized access, while NAT ensures that only approved traffic reaches your devices.
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