How to Find the IP Address of Your Computer

Knowing your computer’s IP address can be useful for tasks like configuring a firewall, setting up remote access, or troubleshooting network issues. There are two types of IP addresses you may want to check: local IP address (assigned by your router within your local network) and public IP address (assigned by your Internet Service Provider, visible on the internet). Here’s how to find both.

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Method 1: Find Your Local IP Address #

Your local IP address is used within your home or office network. It typically looks like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x.

For Windows Users: #

1. Open the Command Prompt:
   • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:bashCopy codeipconfig
3. Look for the line that says “IPv4 Address”. This is your local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.5).

Tip: #

• If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, look under “Wireless LAN adapter”. For a wired connection, look under “Ethernet adapter”.

For Mac Users: #

1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Go to Network.
3. Select your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Your local IP address will be displayed under “Status” (e.g., 192.168.1.10).

For Linux Users: #

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:bashCopy codehostname -I
3. The local IP address will be shown (e.g., 192.168.0.15).

Alternative Command: #

• You can also use ifconfig or ip addr show to find your local IP address.

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Method 2: Find Your Public IP Address #

Your public IP address is the address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is visible on the internet.

Option 1: Use an Online IP Lookup Service #

1. Open your web browser and go to any of the following sites:
   • WhatIsMyIP.com
   • IPinfo.io
   • Google Search – Type “What is my IP” into the search bar.
2. Your public IP address will be displayed on the website (e.g., 203.0.113.45).

Option 2: Use Command Prompt (Windows) #

1. Open the Command Prompt (Win + R, type cmd, press Enter).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:bashCopy codenslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com
3. The output will include your public IP address.

Option 3: Use Terminal (Mac/Linux) #

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:bashCopy codecurl ifconfig.me
3. The public IP address will be displayed.

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Method 3: Find the IP Address on Mobile Devices #

On iOS (iPhone/iPad): #

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi and select your connected network.
3. Your local IP address will be listed under IP Address.

On Android: #

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
3. Tap on your connected Wi-Fi network.
4. Scroll down to see the IP Address.

Tip: #

• To find your public IP address on mobile, you can use a browser and visit any online IP lookup service like WhatIsMyIP.com.

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Tips for Understanding IP Addresses #

• IPv4 vs. IPv6:
  • An IPv4 address looks like 192.168.1.1.
  • An IPv6 address looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
  • Most home networks still use IPv4, but IPv6 is becoming more common as IPv4 addresses run out.
• Local vs. Public IP:
  • Local IP: Used within your private network. It’s usually something like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x.
  • Public IP: Assigned by your ISP and used to identify your network on the internet.
• Dynamic vs. Static IP:
  • Dynamic IP: Changes periodically, assigned by your ISP’s DHCP server.
  • Static IP: Remains the same over time, usually configured manually for specific devices or services.

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Troubleshooting Tips #

1. Cannot Find Local IP Address:
   • Make sure your computer is connected to the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
   • Restart your router if the IP address isn’t showing up.
2. Cannot Find Public IP Address:
   • Ensure you’re connected to the internet.
   • If you’re behind a VPN or proxy, it may show the IP address of the VPN server instead of your actual public IP.
3. IP Address Conflict:
   • If two devices on the same network have the same IP address, you may experience network issues. Restart your devices or renew the IP address using ipconfig /renew (Windows) or sudo dhclient -r (Linux).