How to check my PC's IP address?

Nicolas, Mar 12, 2026

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Whether you want to configure a network, troubleshoot a connection issue or simply find out which IP address is assigned to your computer, the process is quick and requires no third-party software. There is however an important distinction to understand: the local IP address (assigned to your PC on your home network) and the public IP address (visible from the internet). Here is how to get both on Windows and on Mac.

Local IP address vs public IP address

Before looking for your IP address, it is useful to understand which one you need:

• Local IP address: assigned by your router, it identifies your PC within your home or office network. It usually starts with 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x. This is the address used to set up file sharing, access a NAS or connect devices to each other.
• Public IP address: assigned by your internet service provider, it is shared by all devices on your network and visible from the outside. It is used when you connect to websites or online services.

Finding the local IP address on Windows

Method 1: via Windows settings

• Open Settings → Network & Internet
• Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection
• Click the name of your active network → Properties
• Scroll down to the Properties section — the IPv4 address is displayed

Method 2: via Command Prompt

This is the fastest method. Open Command Prompt (Windows key + R, type cmd, press Enter) and type:

ipconfig

Find the section for your active connection (Wi-Fi adapter or Ethernet adapter) and read the IPv4 Address value.

Good to know: the ipconfig /all command displays full network information: MAC address, default gateway, DNS servers in use and DHCP status. Useful for in-depth network diagnostics.

Method 3: via Control Panel

• Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center
• Click the name of your active connection (e.g. Wi-Fi)
• In the window that opens, click Details
• The IPv4 address appears in the network connection details table

Finding the local IP address on Mac

Method 1: via System Settings

• Click the Apple menu → System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions)
• Click Network
• Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
• The IP address is displayed directly in the right panel

Method 2: via Terminal

Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal) and enter one of the following commands:

For a Wi-Fi connection:

ipconfig getifaddr en0

For an Ethernet connection:

ipconfig getifaddr en1

The local IP address is displayed directly in the Terminal.

Good to know: on Mac, the ifconfig command displays all network interfaces and their configurations. Find the en0 (Wi-Fi) or en1 (Ethernet) entry and read the inet value to get the IPv4 address.

Method comparison

Finding your public IP address

Unlike the local IP address, the public IP address is not accessible via system settings — it is assigned by your internet provider and visible only from outside your network. The simplest way to find it is to use a dedicated online tool, which instantly displays your public IP address along with associated information such as approximate location, internet provider and connection type.

Good to know: your public IP address may change with each reconnection depending on whether your provider assigns you a dynamic or static IP. If you need a fixed IP — to host a server, access your network remotely or configure a service — contact your provider or use a dynamic DNS service. You can check your current public IP address and associated information directly from our online tool.