What is my
IP address?
Your internet return address, with the tech talk translated.
Your public IP address
This request used IP. A VPN, privacy relay, or another protocol can show a different address elsewhere.
THE AHA MOMENT
A little clarity. A big difference.An IP address is the return address for internet traffic.
It helps replies find their way back to you. At home, devices often share the public address of your router and have their own local addresses inside your network. An IP can suggest a rough region, but it is not a precise street address or a person’s identity.
The address for this hello.
Your browser just made a request to our server. The card shows the address used for that connection, and whether it used IPv4 or IPv6.
A VPN or privacy relay may be speaking on your behalf. This is a useful connection check, rather than a way to identify a person.
No account needed. We don’t save these IP checks in our database. Hosting infrastructure may keep its own operational logs.
Explore the animated IP lessonYour IP questions, in plain English.
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a number used to send internet traffic to the right place. Think of it as a return address for a conversation. Your public IP may belong to your router, mobile network, VPN, or privacy relay; it can be shared by many people.
Why does another IP website show a different address?
Your browser may connect to one site over IPv4 and another over IPv6. A VPN, browser privacy feature, corporate proxy, or mobile network can also route requests differently. Compare checks at the same time, in the same browser, on the same network, and using the same IP version.
Does this show both IPv4 and IPv6?
This check shows the address used to reach this website. IPv4 looks like four numbers separated by dots. IPv6 uses groups separated by colons. A single connection uses one version. Seeing IPv4 here does not tell you whether your network also supports IPv6.
Why is a 10.x.x.x or 192.168.x.x address different?
Those are private network addresses. They work inside a home, office, or server network and are not your public internet address. If an online IP tool shows one, a proxy may be passing its internal address instead of the visitor’s public address.
How do I find my private IP address?
On Windows, open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /all, then find the IPv4 Address for your active adapter. On macOS, open System Settings → Network, select your connection, and look in Details → TCP/IP. A website cannot read all your local adapter settings.
Can an IP address reveal my exact location?
An IP lookup can suggest a network provider and approximate region. It does not reliably identify a person or a street address. VPN and privacy relay locations can be far away from you. This tool does not perform a location lookup.
Can my public IP change?
Yes. Switching networks, reconnecting a router, turning a VPN on or off, or your provider renewing an address can change it. Use the refresh button when you want a new check.