What Is My IP Address?

Your IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to your device by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It allows computers to identify and communicate with each other over the internet. Every time you connect to the web, your device is assigned a public IP address that websites and online services can see.

What Information Can Someone Find From My IP Address?

When someone knows your IP address, they can determine:

• Country and approximate city — geolocation data from IP databases
• ISP (Internet Service Provider) — the company providing your internet connection
• Timezone — derived from your geographic location
• Organization or ASN — the network your IP belongs to

What they cannot find: your exact home address, name, phone number, or any personally identifiable information.

Public IP vs Private IP Address

Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and is visible to websites you visit. Your private IP is assigned by your home router and is only visible within your local network (home or office). This tool shows your public IP.

IPv4 vs IPv6 — What's the Difference?

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (e.g. 192.168.1.1) and supports ~4.3 billion unique addresses. Due to address exhaustion, IPv6 was introduced with 128-bit addresses (e.g. 2001:db8::1), supporting a virtually unlimited number of devices. Most modern networks support both (dual-stack).

How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device

Windows

Open Command Prompt → type ipconfig → look for "IPv4 Address" under your active adapter.

Mac

System Settings → Network → select your connection → IP address is shown.

iPhone / iPad

Settings → Wi-Fi → tap your network → IP address shown under "IPv4 Address".

Android

Settings → About phone → Status → IP address.

Linux

Open terminal → type ip addr or hostname -I.

Can Someone Hack You With Your IP Address?

Knowing your IP address alone is not enough to hack your device. However, a malicious actor could:

• Target your router with brute-force attacks if it has weak credentials
• Launch a DDoS attack to flood your connection
• Geolocate you to a city-level approximation

To stay safe: keep your router firmware updated, use a strong password, and consider a VPN if privacy is important to you.

How to Hide Your IP Address

• VPN (Virtual Private Network) — routes your traffic through a server in another location, masking your real IP. Best for everyday privacy.
• Tor Browser — routes traffic through multiple nodes worldwide. Slower but highly anonymous.
• Proxy Server — acts as an intermediary. Less secure than a VPN but useful for basic geo-unblocking.