A comprehensive tutorial to help users find my IP

Finding your IP address is a common task, whether you're troubleshooting network issues, setting up a game server, or just curious. Your IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. There are two main types of IP addresses you'll likely encounter:

1. Public IP Address

Your public IP address is the one that identifies your entire network to the internet. It's assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is how websites and online services know where to send information back to you. Think of it as your house address on the internet.

Methods to Find Your Public IP Address:

• Using a Website (Easiest Method):
  This is by far the simplest and most common way to find your public IP address. Many websites are specifically designed for this purpose.
1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.).
2. Go to one of the following websites:
• https://www.whatismyip.com/
• https://www.ipchicken.com/
• https://whatismyipaddress.com/
• Simply search "What is my IP?" on Google, and it will often display your public IP directly at the top of the search results.
3. Your public IP address will be prominently displayed on the page.

Example of what you might see:

• Through Your Router's Administration Page:
  Your router is the gateway between your local network and the internet, so it definitely knows your public IP.
1. Find your router's IP address. This is usually printed on a sticker on the router itself, or you can find it using the methods for finding your private IP address (described below) as it's often listed as the "Default Gateway." Common router IPs include 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1.
2. Open your web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar and press Enter.
3. Log in with your router's username and password. If you haven't changed them, the default credentials are often "admin/admin" or "admin/password." Check your router's manual or the sticker on the device if you're unsure.
4. Navigate to a section like "Status," "WAN," or "Internet." Your public IP address (sometimes labeled "Internet IP," "WAN IP," or similar) should be listed there.

Note: The exact location varies greatly between router brands and models.

2. Private IP Address

Your private IP address is the one assigned to your device within your local network. Devices on the same local network (like your computer, phone, smart TV, etc.) use these private IPs to communicate with each other. These addresses are not routable on the internet and are typically in specific ranges (e.g., 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x - 172.31.x.x).

Methods to Find Your Private IP Address (Varies by Operating System):

For Windows:

• Using Command Prompt:
1. Open Command Prompt:
• Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
• Or search for "cmd" or "Command Prompt" in the Start Menu.
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
3. Look for your active network adapter (e.g., "Ethernet adapter Ethernet" or "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi").
4. Your private IP address will be listed next to "IPv4 Address."

 

 

• Using Network Settings (Graphical Interface):
1. Windows 10/11:
• Right-click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner) and select "Open Network & Internet settings."
• Click on "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on how you're connected.
• Click on "Hardware properties" or "Properties" for your active connection.
• Your IPv4 address will be listed.
2. Older Windows Versions:
• Go to "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center."
• Click on "Change adapter settings" on the left.
• Right-click your active connection (e.g., "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi") and select "Status."
• Click "Details..."
• Your IPv4 address will be listed.

For macOS:

• Using System Settings/Preferences:
1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (macOS Ventura and later) or "System Preferences" (earlier versions).
2. Click on "Network."
3. Select your active connection (e.g., "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet") from the left sidebar.
4. Your IP address will be displayed directly under the connection status, or you might need to click "Details..." (Ventura) or "Advanced..." (earlier) and then go to the "TCP/IP" tab.

 

 

• Using Terminal:
1. Open Terminal: Go to "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Terminal."
2. For Wi-Fi: Type ipconfig getifaddr en0 and press Enter. (If en0 doesn't work, try en1.)
3. For Ethernet: Type ipconfig getifaddr en1 and press Enter. (If en1 doesn't work, try en0.)
4. Your private IP address will be displayed.

For Linux:

• Using Terminal (Most Common):
1. Open Terminal (usually Ctrl + Alt + T or search for "Terminal").
2. Type ip a or ifconfig (you might need to install net-tools for ifconfig on some modern distributions: sudo apt install net-tools).
3. Look for your active network interface (e.g., eth0 for Ethernet, wlan0 for Wi-Fi).
4. Your IP address will be listed next to inet (for ip a) or inet addr (for ifconfig).

 

 

 

For Android Devices:

1. Open "Settings."
2. Tap on "Network & internet" or "Connections."
3. Tap on "Wi-Fi."
4. Tap on the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to.
5. Your IP address will be displayed under "IP address" or "Advanced" settings.

For iOS Devices (iPhone/iPad):

1. Open "Settings."
2. Tap on "Wi-Fi."
3. Tap the "i" icon next to the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to.
4. Your IP address will be listed under "IPv4 Address."

Key Differences Summarized:

• Public IP: Identifies your entire home/office network to the internet. Websites see this.
• Private IP: Identifies a specific device within your home/office network. Your router assigns this.

By following these steps, you should be able to easily find both your public and private IP addresses on almost any device!