United StatesWhat Is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is the numeric label assigned to every device that connects to the internet. Whenever you open a website, send an email or play an online game, data finds its way back to you thanks to this address, much like a postal address tells the mail carrier where to deliver a letter.
IPv4 addresses are written as four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 203.0.113.45), while newer IPv6 addresses use groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g. 2001:db8:3::1). The address shown at the top of this page is your public IP address: the one your internet provider assigned to you and the one every website you visit can see.
How Do I Find My IP Address?
The easiest way is to open this page: ipadresimne.net shows your public IP address instantly, with no settings or software. You can also use the methods below.
On Windows (Command Prompt)
- Public IP: press Win + R, type
cmdand runcurl ipadresimne.net. - Local (private) IP: run
ipconfigand look for the “IPv4 Address” line. - PowerShell:
(Invoke-WebRequest ipadresimne.net/ip).Content
On Mac and Linux (Terminal)
- Public IP:
curl ipadresimne.net - Local IP:
ipconfig getifaddr en0on macOS,hostname -Iorip addron Linux
On Your Phone (Android and iPhone)
Just open ipadresimne.net in your phone's browser. On Wi-Fi you'll see the public IP of your home router; switch to mobile data and you'll see a different address assigned by your carrier. To find your local IP on Android, go to Settings → Network & internet → Internet → your network; on iPhone, go to Settings → Wi-Fi → the (i) icon next to your network.
Public IP vs. Private IP
Your public IP address is assigned to your router by your internet provider, and every server on the internet sees you by this address. Private (local) IP addresses are handed out by your router to the devices in your home and only work inside your local network: the ranges 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x and 172.16–31.x.x are reserved for this purpose. Your laptop, phone and smart TV each have a different private IP, but they all share the same public IP on the internet.
Many mobile carriers and some home broadband providers use CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) because of the IPv4 address shortage. In that case your router's WAN interface shows an address starting with 100.64.x.x, and your public IP is shared with other customers. This is the most common reason port forwarding doesn't work; asking your provider for a public or static IP usually solves it.
IPv4 vs. IPv6: What's the Difference?
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address length | 32 bits | 128 bits |
| Example | 203.0.113.45 | 2001:db8:3::1 |
| Total addresses | About 4.3 billion | About 3.4 × 1038 |
| Notation | 4 numbers separated by dots | 8 hexadecimal groups separated by colons |
| NAT required | Common (address shortage) | Usually not |
The global IPv4 address pool ran out in 2011, so the internet is gradually moving to IPv6, and adoption keeps growing worldwide. You can check whether your connection supports IPv6 in the “IP Versions” section above or on our IPv6 test page.
Static vs. Dynamic IP Address
Most home connections use a dynamic IP: your provider may assign a new address when your router restarts or at regular intervals. A static IP never changes; it's preferred for remote camera access, hosting servers or corporate VPNs, and usually costs extra. Curious whether your IP changes? Restart your router and refresh this page.
How Accurate Is IP Geolocation?
IP geolocation doesn't work like GPS. It is estimated from databases that record where IP blocks are registered and used. The country is almost always correct and the region usually is, but the city and coordinates are approximate. Because providers route traffic through a few large hubs, mobile connections in particular may appear to be in a major city far from you. An IP address does not reveal your street address, name or phone number.
How to Change or Hide Your IP Address
- Restart your router: with a dynamic IP, turning the router off for 5–10 minutes often gets you a new address.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data: different networks use different public IPs.
- Use a VPN: your traffic is encrypted and exits through the VPN server, so websites see the VPN server's IP.
- Tor Browser: routes traffic through several volunteer-run relays; it's slow but highly anonymous.
- Proxy: forwards only your browser traffic through another server and usually doesn't encrypt it.
After turning on a VPN, refresh this page to check whether your IP address and location have changed. The Privacy & Anonymity section also flags proxy headers and time zone mismatches.