How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android)

Introduction

Whether you're troubleshooting a network issue, setting up port forwarding, or just curious, knowing how to find your IP address is a fundamental skill. This guide walks you through how to check both your public IP (visible to the internet) and your private IP (your device's address on your local network) on every major platform.

The Fastest Method: Check Your Public IP Online

The quickest way to find your public IP address — the one websites see — is to visit what-is-my-ip.best. Your IP is displayed instantly at the top of the page, along with your location, ISP, and connection type.

This works on any device, any operating system, any browser.

How to Find Your IP Address on Windows

Method 1: Settings App (Windows 10/11)

1. Click the Start Menu and open Settings
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click on your active connection (WiFi or Ethernet)
4. Scroll down to find IPv4 address

Method 2: Command Prompt

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, press Enter
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter
3. Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter

Method 3: PowerShell

Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4

To find your public IP from Command Prompt:

curl ifconfig.me

How to Find Your IP Address on Mac

Method 1: System Settings

1. Click the Apple menu → System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Click Network
3. Select your active connection (WiFi or Ethernet)
4. Your IP address is shown on the right

Method 2: Terminal

ipconfig getifaddr en0

(Use en0 for WiFi, en1 for Ethernet)

For your public IP:

curl ifconfig.me

How to Find Your IP Address on iPhone (iOS)

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Wi-Fi
3. Tap the (i) icon next to your connected network
4. Your IP Address is listed under the IPv4 Address section

Note: This shows your private IP on your local network. To see your public IP, visit what-is-my-ip.best in Safari.

How to Find Your IP Address on Android

Steps may vary slightly by manufacturer:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Network & Internet (or Connections)
3. Tap Wi-Fi → tap the name of your connected network
4. Scroll down to see your IP address

On Samsung devices:

1. Settings → Wi-Fi → tap gear icon next to network → View More

How to Find Your IP Address on Linux

Open Terminal and run:

hostname -I

Or for more detail:

ip addr show

For your public IP:

curl ifconfig.me

How to Find Your Router's IP Address

Your router's IP (called the default gateway) is the private IP your devices use to communicate with the router.

Windows: Run ipconfig → look for Default Gateway
Mac: System Settings → Network → your connection → Router
iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap (i) next to network → Router
Android: Check network details as above — look for Gateway

Common router IPs: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1

Public IP vs Private IP: Which One Are You Looking For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my IP address different on whatismyip sites vs. my network settings?
A: The online IP is your public IP (from your ISP). Network settings show your private IP (from your router). They are different by design.

Q: Does my IP address change when I switch from WiFi to cellular?
A: Yes. Cellular data uses your carrier's network and gives you a completely different public IP.

Q: Why do I have multiple IP addresses in ipconfig?
A: Your device may have multiple network adapters (WiFi, Ethernet, virtual adapters from VPN software). Each adapter gets its own private IP.

Conclusion

Finding your IP address takes less than a minute on any device. For your public IP — the one the internet sees — always use an online tool like what-is-my-ip.best. For your private IP, use your device's built-in network settings or terminal commands.

Last updated: 2026 | Category: How-To Guides