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How to Find Your IP Address: Public vs Local, IPv4 vs IPv6 Explained

AI
May 2, 2026 · 3:08 PM

Every device connected to the internet has a unique identifier called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Understanding how to find your IP address and the difference between public and local addresses—as well as IPv4 and IPv6—is essential for troubleshooting network issues or setting up home networks.

Public vs. Local IP Addresses

Your public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and identifies your entire home or business network to the outside world. Think of it like a mailing address for your internet connection. In contrast, a local (or private) IP address is assigned by your router to each device on your internal network—such as your laptop, phone, or smart TV. These local addresses are only visible within your home or office.

How to Find Your Public IP Address

Finding your public IP is straightforward:

  • Using a search engine: Simply search "What is my IP address" in Google or Bing—your public IP will appear at the top of results.
  • Using a dedicated website: Visit services like WhatIsMyIP.com or IPChicken.com to see your public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

How to Find Your Local IP Address

Local IP addresses can be found through your device's settings or command line:

Windows

  1. Open Command Prompt (press Win+R, type cmd, then Enter).
  2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
  3. Look for the IPv4 Address under your active network adapter.

macOS

  1. Go to System Settings > Network.
  2. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
  3. Your local IP will be listed under "IP address."

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the info icon (i) next to your connected network.
  3. Your local IP is displayed under "IP Address."

Android

  1. Open Settings > About Phone > Status (or Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and tap the network).
  2. Look for "IP address" in the list.

IPv4 vs. IPv6

IPv4 is the older, most common version, formatted as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Because the number of available IPv4 addresses is nearly exhausted, IPv6 was introduced. IPv6 addresses are longer, using eight groups of hexadecimal characters (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334), providing a virtually unlimited pool.

Most modern networks support both protocols simultaneously (dual-stack). When you check your IP address, you may see both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address.

By following these simple steps, you can quickly identify your network identifiers and better understand how your devices communicate online.

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