What Is My IP Address
What Do These Mean?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network. It serves two functions: identifying the host or network interface, and providing the location of the device in the network. When you connect to the internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns your router a public IP address that all websites and servers see when you visit them.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) uses a 32-bit address written in four groups of numbers separated by dots — for example, 203.0.113.45. The internet has roughly 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses, and they are nearly exhausted. IPv6 (version 6) uses a 128-bit address written in eight groups of hexadecimal characters — for example, 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. IPv6 provides 340 undecillion unique addresses, effectively eliminating scarcity. Many ISPs now assign both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address to the same connection.
What is the difference between a public and a private IP address?
Your public IP is the address assigned by your ISP — the one websites and external servers see. Your private (local) IP is assigned by your router within your home or office network (e.g., 192.168.1.x or 10.0.0.x) and is only visible to devices on that local network. This tool shows your public IP address, not your private one.
Is it safe to share my IP address?
Your IP address reveals your approximate geographic location (typically city-level) and your ISP, but not your exact home address or personal identity. Sharing your IP publicly — for example, in an online post — can expose you to targeted denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or geo-blocking. In practice, your IP changes periodically (dynamic IP) unless you pay for a static IP, reducing long-term risk.
How can I hide or change my IP address?
The most common methods are: (1) a VPN (Virtual Private Network) — routes your traffic through a server in another location, replacing your IP with the VPN server's IP; (2) Tor Browser — bounces traffic through multiple relays; (3) Proxy servers — similar to VPNs but typically without encryption. Simply restarting your router may also assign a new dynamic IP from your ISP.
How to Use What Is My IP Address
Open this page — your public IP address is detected automatically the moment the page loads.
View your IPv4 address (and IPv6 if your ISP supports it) displayed clearly on screen.
Click the copy button next to either IP address to copy it to your clipboard.
Use the IP in any configuration, form, whitelist, or network troubleshooting task.