How to Find IP Address on Computer: Windows, Mac & CMD (Public & Local IP Guide)

21.01.2026 Jason

how to find IP address on computer step by step

How to Find Your Public IP Address

You’ve probably wondered how to find IP address on computer. Here’s your public IP address:

What Is My IP Address?

Checking your IP address, please wait…

My IP Information

If your goal is to access your network from outside your home or check how your connection appears on the internet, then yes—this is the correct IP address.

However, if you’re trying to connect devices inside your home or office network, the public IP is probably not what you need. In that case, you’re likely looking for a local (private) IP address. Before learning how to find your IP address, it’s important to understand the differences.

Public IP vs Local IP: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Public IP Address	Local IP Address
Visibility	Visible on the internet	Only visible inside your network
Assigned by	Internet Service Provider (ISP)	Router (DHCP)
Scope	Identifies your entire network	Identifies a single device
IPv4 example	`203.0.113.5`	`192.168.1.25`
IPv6 example	`2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334`	`fe80::1ff:fe23:4567:890a`
Common use cases	Remote access, servers, VPNs	Printers, LAN access, device setup
Internet access	Required	Not directly accessible

Quick Answer: How to Find IP Address on Computer

On Windows, press Windows + R, type cmd, press Enter, run ipconfig, and look for IPv4 Address under your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.

On Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Properties, then check IPv4 address.

On Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Details > TCP/IP.

On Linux, open Terminal and run ip addr or hostname -I.

To find your public IP address, use the public IP checker on this page or search “what is my IP” in a browser.

How to Find Local IP Address on a Computer (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Your local IP address lives inside your network settings. The exact path depends on your operating system, so use the section that matches your device.

How to Find IP Address in CMD (Windows)

If you want the fastest method on Windows, use Command Prompt. This is also the most common answer for how to find IP address in cmd.

Steps

1. Press Windows + R to open Run

2. Type cmd and press Enter

3. In Command Prompt, type:

ipconfig

4. Look for IPv4 Address (that number is your local IP)

Tip: If you see multiple adapters, focus on the one that says Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi (for Wi-Fi) or Ethernet adapter (for cable).

How to Find Computer IP Address Using Windows 11 Network Settings

Windows 11 hides the details in a slightly different place than Windows 10. Here’s the clean path show you how to find computer ip address.

Steps (Windows 11)

1. Click Start → open Settings

2. Click Network & internet

3. Click Properties to list the details

4. Find IPv4 address (this is your local IP)

Optional check: You can also note Default gateway if you need your router IP.

How to Find Your Computer’s IP Address Using Windows 10 Network Settings

Windows 10 uses a different layout, and many people still use it daily. Follow these steps, you can find your computer’s IP address.

Steps (Windows 10)

1. Press “Windows + R”, then a Run box comes out. Input control panel and press Enter to open the control panel.

2. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.

3. Click Change adapter settings on Network and Sharing Center then right click Ethernet icon and select Status.

4. Then click the Details… and you will see the IPv4 Address.

Another option:

You can also open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → click Change adapter settings → Ethernet → Properties → click Ineternet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to find it.

How to Find Local IP Address on macOS

On a Mac, you can find your local IP in System Settings in about a minute.

Steps (macOS)

1. Click the Apple menu → open System Settings.

2. Click Network.

3. Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

4. Click Details… on your connected network, then click TCP/IP, you can see your ip address.

Terminal option (for advanced users)

1. Open Terminal

2. Run:

ifconfig

3. Look for inet under your active interface (often en0 for Wi-Fi)

How to Find Local IP Address on Linux

Linux has multiple simple options. Use whichever you prefer.

Option 1: ip addr

Open Terminal
Run:

ip addr

Find your active interface (often eth0, enp0s3, or wlan0)
Look for inet (that value is your local IP)

Option 2: hostname -I

hostname -I

This prints the local IP address quickly, which is great for troubleshooting.

Find Local IP Address via Router Admin Page (Any OS)

Sometimes you need the local IP of a different device, like a smart TV, a phone, or a printer. In that case, checking the router is easier than checking every device manually.

Steps

Open a browser and go to your router address (commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
Log in to the admin panel
Find a section named:
- Connected devices
- Device list
- DHCP clients
Locate your device name and read the assigned IP address

This method works well when you manage multiple devices.

When Finding IP Address Is Not Enough: View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords

Sometimes, finding your IP address is only one part of network troubleshooting. If you are setting up a new computer, reconnecting a device, or helping another user join the same Wi-Fi network, you may also need the saved Wi-Fi password.

If the Wi-Fi password is already stored on your Windows computer, Magic Recovery Key can help you view saved Wi-Fi passwords and other locally stored credentials without searching through complex system menus.

With Magic Recovery Key, you can:

view saved Wi-Fi network names and passwords

recover stored browser passwords

find Windows product keys

retrieve software serial numbers

check BitLocker recovery keys and other local recovery information

This is especially useful when you manage multiple computers, migrate to a new PC, or need to reconnect devices to an existing wireless network.

How to View WiFi Passwords with Magic Recovery Key

Follow these steps:

1. Download and install Magic Recovery Key on your computer.

Download Magic Recovery Key

Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server

2. Launch the program after installation.

3. In the left-side menu, locate the Local section.

4. Click WiFi Password.

5. Instantly view all saved wireless network names and passwords.

This method is straightforward and works even if you don’t remember the original WiFi credentials.

Conclusion

Finding an IP address on a computer is easy once you know which address you need. If you need your local computer IP address on Windows, use CMD and run ipconfig, or open Windows Settings and check IPv4 address. If you use a Mac, open System Settings > Network > Details > TCP/IP. If you need your public IP address, use an online IP checker or check your router’s internet status page.

For everyday troubleshooting, remember this rule: local IP addresses are used inside your network, while public IP addresses are used on the internet. After finding the correct IP address, you can set up printers, file sharing, remote access, router settings, or network troubleshooting more confidently.

If you also need to recover saved Wi-Fi passwords, software keys, or other locally stored credentials on Windows, Magic Recovery Key can help you quickly access important system information from one place.

Download Magic Recovery Key

Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server

By combining manual steps with the right tools, you can keep better control of your network and system information on any computer.

FAQs: IP Address Questions

How do I find my IP address on my computer?

On Windows, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and check IPv4 Address under your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. On Mac, open System Settings > Network > Details > TCP/IP. On Linux, use ip addr or hostname -I in Terminal. For your public IP address, use an online IP checker.

How do I find IP address in CMD?

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for IPv4 Address under Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. If you need more network details, run ipconfig /all to see the default gateway, DNS servers, DHCP status, and adapter information.

How do I find my computer’s IP address on Windows 11?

Open Settings, go to Network & internet, select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, and click Properties. Scroll down until you see IPv4 address. This is your computer’s local IP address on the current network. You can also use CMD and run ipconfig for the same information.

How do I find my computer IP address on Windows 10?

On Windows 10, go to Settings > Network & Internet, choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, click your connected network, and check IPv4 address under Properties. You can also open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, click your active connection, select Details, and read the IPv4 Address field.

Is IPv4 address the same as my IP address?

In most home and office troubleshooting, yes. When people ask for a computer IP address, they usually mean the IPv4 address assigned to your device on the local network. However, your computer may also have an IPv6 address, and your network also has a separate public IP address on the internet.

What is the difference between public IP and local IP?

A public IP address identifies your network on the internet and is usually assigned by your internet service provider. A local IP address identifies your computer inside your home, school, or office network. Use public IP for remote access or VPN checks. Use local IP for printers, file sharing, and LAN troubleshooting.

Why do I see multiple IP addresses in ipconfig?

You may see multiple IP addresses because your computer has several adapters, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, Bluetooth, or virtual machine adapters. Use the IPv4 Address under the adapter you are actively using. For example, choose Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi if your computer is connected through Wi-Fi.

How do I find my router IP address?

On Windows, open CMD and run ipconfig. Look for Default Gateway under your active adapter. That number is usually your router’s local IP address. Common router addresses include 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1, but the correct address depends on your network configuration.

Does my computer IP address change?

Yes, it can change. Most home and office networks use DHCP, which automatically assigns local IP addresses. Your computer may receive a different IP after reconnecting, restarting the router, or moving to another network. If you need a fixed address, configure a static IP or reserve an IP address in your router.

Can I find my public IP address in CMD?

CMD usually shows your local IP address with ipconfig. To find your public IP address, it is easier to use an online IP checker or check your router’s WAN/Internet status page. Advanced users can query external services from command line, but that still depends on an internet-based lookup service.

How to

Jason

Jason has over 15 years of hands-on experience in the computer data security industry. He specializes in data recovery, backup and restoration, and file repair technologies, and has helped millions of users worldwide resolve complex data loss and security issues.