Whether you’re online often or just occasionally, at some point you are going to need to know what your IP address is and for the uninitiated, this may be a challenge. Fortunately, we have some fast and easy solutions for you in the following guide.
In order to make it easy, we have broken the process down based on the operating system you’re using, but before scrolling down here are some other important things to know about your IP Address.
Essentially, your IP Address is like your internet postal address. It stands for “Internet Protocol” and there is a public address and a private or “network” address. The public address is usually a four section string of numbers although there are some variants, but if you are using one them like IPv6, then you probably already understand how to find your IP Address.
The public IP Address gives your computer/device a spot on the internet. Without such an address, websites wouldn’t be able to send you information and accept information from you. This is how the web functions.
The private IP Address on the other hand identifies your location within your own local network and every device on that network has an individual number and it allows all the devices connected to the local network to communicate with your device through your router.
Therefore, all devices have both a public and a private address to identify them to the web and the local network. Regardless of whether you need to know your public or private IP Address, this guide will help you find them on any of the most common platforms – Windows, Chrome OS, macOS, and Linux.
1. Easiest Way to Find Your IP Address
The fastest way to do this is to open your web browser and go to https://www.whatismyip.com. Just by visiting the site, it will tell you what your IP address is.
The website will display a gray box with your address aptly titled “Your Public IPv4 is: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” where the x’s will be replaced by numbers. That’s your IP Address. Super simple, right? If you have an IPv6 Address, it will be a longer number displayed on the screen.
2. An Additional Easy Method
If for any reason, the method above doesn’t work such as the site is down or you can’t access it from your location, you can use this alternate method to get your public IP Address.
This variant may even be simpler than the first, but it is always better to have two options than one. Just go to Google and type in “What is my IP Address” and Google’s search engine will tell you.
3. Get Your IP Address From Your Router
This 3rd option is slightly more complicated than the 1st two, but not really difficult and a backup to the backup plan isn’t going to hurt.
To find out from your router, you just need to log into the device by typing http://192.168.0.1 into your browser. The router’s details page will be displayed and you can see all the information about it including your public IP Address.
Usually it will be located on the 1st page, but this can vary depending on the manufacturer of your router.
4. How to Access Your Private IP Address on Windows
With Windows 10 and in older versions you will need to open your command prompt to get your private IP Address. Doing this requires you to type “cmd” in the search box, which is located next to the Start button on your desktop.
The suggested search results should display the command prompt app at the very top. Just click on it and it will open the command prompt app.
Once you have the command prompt open, type “ipconfig” into the field and hit “enter”. Your local (private) IP Address will be listed under IPv4 Address.
5. How to find Your Private IP Address on Chrome OS
The Chrome OS is a bit different, but still easy nonetheless. To start, click on the Launcher in the bottom and left of the desktop and then type “settings”. Once the settings cog opens up look under “Network” and your active network will be listed.
Now you just need to click on the active network (it will say “connected”) and you will see a list of network information including your private IP Address although it will only say “IP Address” (without the “private”).
6.Find Your Private IP Address with macOS
Like many things with Apple, finding your private IP Address with macOS is incredibly fast and easy. For Mac users, just click on the Apple logo and then select “System Preferences”.
Next, click on “Network” and select the network you are connected to (it will be marked for you and say “connected”). Now, look under “Status” and you will see your private IP address displayed and it will also say “connected”.
User friendly Apple.
7. Find your Private IP Address on Linux (Ubuntu)
For those of you that are running a Linux Ubuntu machine, you probably don’t need this guide, but perhaps your tech buddy set it up for you and you’re still learning so here goes.
With few exceptions, whatever Ubuntu version you’re running will work the same. Start by going to “Activities” in the upper left part of the desktop and type in “network” and then click on it.
You can now click on the “settings” button next to your active connection (wireless or wired) and a “Details” tab will open where you will see your private IP Address displayed.
8. How to Find Your IP Private IP Address on other Linux Versions
For those of you running Linux but not Ubuntu, you will not be able to use the method described above. However, all Linux users including Ubuntu can use the following method to find the private IP Address.
Start by opening the “Terminal” window. You can do this by searching “terminal” and then click it. Alternatively, you can just press Ctrl+Alt+T at the same time. Once the “Terminal” is open, type in “ip addr show” and hit “Enter”.
You will get a bunch of information that pops onto your screen. Don’t be alarmed. Just look for the “inet” line in the text and the first number (four digits) after it is your private IP Address.