What Is My IP Address? (IPv4 & IPv6 Lookup Tool)

Every device connected to the internet has an IP address — a unique numerical identifier that enables communication across networks. Whether you’re troubleshooting a connection, checking if your VPN is working, or simply curious about what information your internet connection reveals, this free IP address tool gives you an instant, comprehensive view of your public IP, approximate location, ISP, and device details.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Think of it like a postal address for your device — it tells other devices and servers on the internet where to send information so it reaches you correctly.

When you visit a website, your browser sends a request to that website’s server. The server needs to know where to send the response — and that’s your IP address. Without IP addresses, the internet simply couldn’t function. Every web request, email, video stream, and download involves IP addresses at every step.

IPv4 vs IPv6 Explained

There are two versions of IP addresses in active use today:

IPv4 addresses are running out — the global pool was effectively exhausted in 2011. IPv6 was created specifically to solve this problem, with an address space so vast it can assign trillions of unique addresses to every person on earth. Most modern devices and ISPs support both, and the internet is gradually transitioning to IPv6 — though IPv4 remains dominant for now.

How to Find Your IP Address

There are several ways to find your IP address depending on whether you want your public IP (what the internet sees) or your private IP (your address on your local network):

Your public IP address (what the internet sees)

The tool above shows your public IP automatically. This is the IP address that websites, apps, and online services see when you connect. It’s assigned by your ISP and is shared by all devices on your home or office network (when using a standard router).

Your private IP address (local network)

• Windows: Open Command Prompt → type ipconfig → look for “IPv4 Address”
• macOS: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi or Ethernet → “IP Address”
• iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap your network → “IP Address”
• Android: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap your network → “IP address”

What Can Someone Do With Your IP Address?

Your IP address reveals less than many people fear — but more than nothing. Here’s what someone can realistically do with your IP:

How Accurate Is IP Location?

IP geolocation is not precise. The accuracy depends on multiple factors:

• Country: Extremely accurate (99%+ of the time)
• Region/State: Accurate in most cases (~80%)
• City: Approximate — correct within 25–50 km in developed countries; less accurate elsewhere
• Street address: Not possible from IP alone — requires legal process against the ISP

Your ISP assigns IP blocks to geographic regions, but those assignments don’t always match exactly where you are. Mobile data connections routed through a carrier’s regional hub may show a city hundreds of kilometres from your actual location.

Public vs Private IP Address

Most home networks use NAT (Network Address Translation) — your router has one public IP assigned by your ISP, and all devices on your network share that one IP when accessing the internet. Internally, your devices each have unique private IP addresses (typically in the 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x range) visible only within your local network.

This is why multiple devices in your home (laptop, phone, tablet) all appear to have the same public IP address when you check from external tools. Your router acts as the gateway, receiving traffic from the internet and routing it to the correct device on your private network.

How to Hide Your IP Address

There are several legitimate methods to mask or change your public IP:

• VPN (Virtual Private Network): Routes your traffic through a server in another location, replacing your IP with the VPN server’s IP. The most popular method for privacy and bypassing geo-restrictions.
• Tor Browser: Routes traffic through multiple encrypted nodes, making IP tracing extremely difficult. Slower but more anonymous than VPNs.
• Proxy server: Acts as an intermediary between you and the website. Less secure than a VPN but useful for basic IP masking.
• Mobile data: Switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data changes your IP (mobile IPs are assigned dynamically by carriers).
• Restarting your router: Many ISPs use dynamic IP assignment — restarting your router may assign you a new IP (though not guaranteed).

Why Your IP Address Changes

Most residential ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses — addresses that change periodically. Your IP may change when you restart your router, when your ISP’s DHCP lease expires (typically every 24 hours or 7 days), or when you switch networks. Some services and businesses pay for static IP addresses that never change, useful for hosting servers, remote access systems, and email servers.

IP Address Security Tips

• Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi: Coffee shops, airports, and hotels present real risks. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your true IP from network observers.
• Be careful what you click: Clicking certain links can expose your IP to the link owner (especially on Discord, forums, and email).
• Keep your router firmware updated: Outdated router firmware has known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers who identify your IP.
• Use a firewall: A properly configured firewall limits what services are visible on your IP address, reducing attack surface.
• Consider a dynamic DNS or VPN for gaming: If you play competitive games, sharing your IP with opponents in voice chat carries more risk than casual browsing.

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Frequently Asked Questions