What Is My IP Address?
Your public IP address is 216.73.217.18. That is the address your Internet Service Provider assigned to your connection right now. Every website you visit, every email you send and every file you download carries this number in its header so servers know where to send the response. This page shows your IP along with your ISP, location, connection type and whether you are using a VPN.
My IP Address and Location
The map and details above show the geographic location associated with your IP. Geolocation databases maintained by MaxMind, IP2Location and the five Regional Internet Registries (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, AFRINIC) map IP address blocks to physical regions. In most cases the result is accurate to the city level. Mobile networks, satellite connections and VPN services can throw the location off by hundreds of kilometres because traffic is routed through central hubs rather than your actual position.
IPv4 vs IPv6: What Is the Difference?
IPv4 addresses look like four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 203.0.113.45) and provide about 4.3 billion unique addresses. That pool ran out in 2011. IPv6 uses a longer hexadecimal format (e.g. 2001:db8::8a2e:370:7334) with 340 undecillion addresses, enough for every device on the planet and then some. Most ISPs now run both protocols at the same time through what is called dual-stack. Your device may hold an IPv4 and an IPv6 address simultaneously, which is why this page detects whichever version your browser used to connect.
How to Find My IP Address on Any Device
The fastest method is this page. Your public IP appears at the top the moment it loads, no installation needed. If you need your local (private) IP instead:
- Windows open Command Prompt and type
ipconfig. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active adapter. - Mac go to System Settings, then Network, select your connection and the IP is listed in the details pane.
- iPhone open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the connected network name and scroll to "IP Address".
- Android go to Settings, Network & Internet, Wi-Fi, tap the connected network and look for "IP address".
- Linux open a terminal and run
ip addrorhostname -I.
Keep in mind that these commands show your private IP behind the router. Your public IP (the one websites see) is different and can only be checked through an external service like this one.
Public vs Private IP Address
The address shown on this page is your public IP, the one visible to every server you connect to. Behind your router each device gets a private IP (usually 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x or 172.16-31.x.x) that only works inside your local network. Your router performs Network Address Translation (NAT) to map internal traffic to the single public address, which is why twenty devices in your home can share one IP.
What Can Someone Do With My IP Address?
Your IP reveals your approximate city, your ISP and your connection type. That is it. Someone who has your IP could run a port scan to check for open services, attempt to get you rate-limited or blocked on certain websites, or file false abuse reports. They cannot access your computer, read your files, steal your passwords or find your street address. Only your ISP can link an IP to your identity, and they need a court order to do so.
Why Does My IP Change?
Most home internet connections use dynamic IP allocation through DHCP. Your ISP assigns a temporary address from a pool that may change after a router restart, a lease expiration or a network outage. This is normal and helps ISPs manage limited IPv4 space across millions of customers. If you need a fixed address (for a server, camera or remote access) you can request a static IP from your ISP, usually for a small monthly fee.
Check My IP for VPN Leaks
If you are using a VPN, the IP shown on this page should belong to the VPN provider, not your ISP. If it still shows your real address, your VPN connection may have dropped or you may have a DNS, WebRTC or IPv6 leak. Run our DNS Leak Test and IP Leak Test to confirm everything is properly tunneled. A working VPN replaces your IP in all outgoing traffic, making it impossible for websites to see your real location.
How to Hide My IP Address
The most effective way to hide your IP is a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It encrypts your traffic and routes it through a server in another country, replacing your real IP with the server's address. Other options include proxy servers (faster but no encryption) and the Tor network (strongest anonymity but very slow). For a detailed comparison see our Hide My IP guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my public IP address right now?
Your current public IP address is displayed at the top of this page. It updates automatically based on your active internet connection. If you are behind a VPN it will show the VPN server's address instead of your real one.
Is my IP address static or dynamic?
Most residential connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically. Static IPs stay the same and are mainly used for servers or business lines. To check, note your IP, restart your router and compare. If it changed, your IP is dynamic.
Why does my IP show a different city?
Your ISP may route traffic through a hub in another city. Mobile networks and CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) setups where thousands of users share one public IP are especially prone to this. The geolocation database maps the IP to where the ISP registered it, not where you physically sit.
Can my IP address be traced to my home?
Not directly. An IP points to an approximate area (usually city level) and identifies your ISP. Your exact home address is only known to the ISP, and they will not share it without a court order. Websites and random strangers on the internet cannot trace an IP to a specific household.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (e.g. 192.0.2.1) with about 4.3 billion combinations. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (e.g. 2001:db8::1) with 340 undecillion, solving the address shortage. Most networks run both at the same time.
Does a VPN hide my IP completely?
A properly configured VPN replaces your IP in all outgoing traffic. But DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks and IPv6 leaks can still expose your real address if the VPN client does not block them. Always verify with an IP checker and leak test after connecting.
What can someone do with my IP address?
They can see your approximate city and ISP. They could scan for open ports or try to get you blocked on websites. They cannot hack your computer, steal data or find your home address. The risk is low for most people.
How do I find my IP address on my computer?
Visit this page for your public IP. For your private (local) IP: on Windows type ipconfig in Command Prompt, on Mac check System Settings then Network, on Linux run ip addr in a terminal.