The short answer
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a number that identifies a device or network on the internet. Every time you open a website, your request carries your IP address so the website knows where to send its answer. It works much like a postal address: without it, data wouldn't know where to go.
Your internet provider gives you a public IP address when you connect. Websites, apps and online games all see it. You can see yours, along with the location and provider it points to, on the My IP page.
What does an IP address look like?
There are two versions in use today:
- IPv4 addresses are four numbers from 0 to 255 separated by dots, for example
203.0.113.42. There are only about 4.3 billion of them, and they ran out years ago. - IPv6 addresses are longer and written in hexadecimal groups separated by colons, for example
2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334. There are enough of them for every device on Earth many times over.
Many connections now have both. Read IPv4 vs IPv6 to learn how they differ and why it matters for privacy.
Public vs private IP addresses
Your devices actually have two kinds of address.
- Public IP: the address the internet sees. Your router gets it from your provider, and every phone, laptop and TV in your home shares it when they go online.
- Private IP: the address your router gives each device inside your home network, such as
192.168.1.23. It only means something inside your network and is never seen by websites.
Private addresses come from reserved ranges that are never used on the public internet:
| Range | Typical use |
|---|---|
10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 | Large office and provider networks |
172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 | Office networks, Docker |
192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 | Home routers |
100.64.0.0 to 100.127.255.255 | Carrier-grade NAT (shared by many customers) |
Your router translates between the two using NAT (network address translation). That's why your computer's network settings show a different address than an IP checker website.
Static vs dynamic IP addresses
- Dynamic IP: changes from time to time. Most home and mobile connections get a dynamic address, which may change when you restart your router, reconnect, or after a set number of hours or days.
- Static IP: stays the same. Businesses use static IPs to run servers, remote access or allowlists. Many providers sell them as an extra.
If you need your address to change, see how to change your IP address.
What can someone learn from your IP address?
Your IP address reveals less than many people fear, but more than nothing:
- Approximate location: usually your country and region, often your city. It can't show your street or house; the city shown is often the location of your provider's equipment, not your home.
- Your internet provider: the company and network (ASN) the address belongs to.
- Connection type: whether it's a home, mobile, business or datacenter network. Websites use this to spot VPNs and proxies.
Your IP doesn't reveal your name, your exact address or what you do online. Only your provider can link an IP address to a customer, and it normally only does that for a court or the police.
Why your IP address matters
- Websites adapt to it: language, currency, prices and which shows a streaming service offers can all depend on your IP's country.
- Security systems score it: banks, shops and sign-up forms check whether an address looks like a proxy, VPN or source of spam. Check yours with the IP fraud score.
- It can block you: games and forums ban addresses, not just accounts. With a shared or dynamic IP you may inherit someone else's ban.
If you want websites not to see your real IP, a VPN or proxy replaces it with the server's address. After connecting, check that your VPN really works, because leaks through WebRTC, DNS or IPv6 can still give your real address away.
FAQ
Does every device have its own IP address?
Every device has its own private IP inside your network. On the internet, all devices behind the same router usually share one public IPv4 address. With IPv6, each device often gets its own public address.
Can my IP address show my exact home address?
No. IP location databases show an approximate area, usually a city or region, and they're often off by tens of kilometers. Only your internet provider knows which customer used an address at a given time.
Is it dangerous if someone knows my IP address?
Usually not. Every website you visit sees it. Someone with your IP could try to flood your connection or scan your router for open ports, so keep your router's firmware updated and its remote admin turned off.
How do I find my IP address?
Open the My IP page to see your public address instantly. To find your private address on Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android, follow how to find your IP address.