What Is My IP Address? Public vs Private Explained
An IP address(Internet Protocol address) is a unique number that identifies a device on a network. It's how data finds its way back to you — when you load a page, the server needs your IP to know where to send the response.
See your IP right now
The quickest way to find yours is our What Is My IP tool. It shows your public IP instantly, along with your browser, operating system, screen size, and timezone — all read from the request your browser already sends, with nothing stored.
Public vs private IP
You actually have two kinds of IP address, and they serve different purposes:
- Public IP — assigned by your internet provider and visible to every website you visit. This is the address our tool shows. Everyone on your home network usually shares one public IP.
- Private IP— assigned by your router to each device inside your home or office (they usually start with 192.168, 10., or 172.16–31). These aren't visible on the public internet.
IPv4 vs IPv6
The older IPv4 format looks like 203.0.113.42 — four numbers separated by dots. Because the world ran out of IPv4 addresses, IPv6was introduced; it's longer and uses colons, like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. Our tool labels which one you're using.
Why does my IP keep changing?
Most home connections use a dynamic IP that your provider can reassign periodically or after a router reboot. Switching networks (Wi-Fi to mobile data), or using a VPN or proxy, will also change the public IP that websites see.
FAQ
Is it safe to share my IP address?
An IP alone reveals only rough location (city-level) and your provider — not your name or exact address. Still, avoid posting it publicly, and use a VPN if you want to mask it.
How do I find my private (local) IP?
Check your device's network settings — on Windows run ipconfig, and on macOS or Linux run ifconfig or ip addr. Websites can't see this address.
Does a VPN change my IP?
Yes — a VPN routes your traffic through its server, so sites see the VPN's IP instead of yours.