What is my IP address and how do I find it?
An IP address is the numeric address used to reach a device on the internet, and the IP that websites see is the public address your provider assigned to your connection. Open ipnow.kr to see it instantly.
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What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address identifies where data comes from and where it should go. Just as a letter needs an address, a web server sends its reply back to the IP address the request came from.
Two formats are in use today: IPv4, written as four numbers separated by dots such as 203.0.113.10, and IPv6, a longer format separated by colons such as 2001:db8::1. The differences are explained in IPv4 vs IPv6.
What is the difference between a public and a private IP?
A public IP is unique on the whole internet and is assigned by your internet provider to your home or office line. A private IP only works inside your local network and comes from reserved ranges such as 192.168.0.10 or 10.0.0.5.
Even if you have a PC, a phone and a TV at home, the outside world sees only your router's public IP. That is why the "my IP" shown by a website is usually the router's (or the provider's) public address. To see a device's private IP, check its settings as described in find your IP on Windows.
- Public IP: visible on the internet, assigned by your provider
- Private IP: used inside your network, 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x or 172.16–31.x.x
- Loopback: 127.0.0.1 always means the device itself
Why does my IP address sometimes change?
Most home broadband and mobile data plans use dynamic IPs. The provider hands out addresses automatically, so you may get a new one after restarting the router, after it has been off for a while, or when your phone switches from mobile data to Wi-Fi.
If a changing address is a problem, for example when you run a server or need remote access, you can order a static IP from your provider. See dynamic vs static IP.
Can someone find my location from my IP?
An IP address alone does not reveal your street address. IP geolocation databases estimate a location from where the provider registered or routes an address block, which is usually accurate to a region or city and sometimes points to the city where the provider's equipment sits.
This site also shows an approximate location based on DB-IP data, and it may differ from where you really are. Why IP location is wrong explains the reasons.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of IPv4 addresses | 2^32 ≈ 4.3 billion | RFC 791 · 1981-09 |
| Private IPv4 ranges | 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16 | RFC 1918 · 1996-02 |
| IPv6 address length | 128 bits | RFC 8200 · 2017-07 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to check my IP?
Open ipnow.kr in a browser and your public IP is shown at the top. In a terminal, curl ipnow.kr prints it on one line.
Why do my phone and PC show different IPs?
On the same Wi-Fi they share one public IP and only their private IPs differ. If the phone is on mobile data, it uses a different public IP from the mobile network.
Is it dangerous if someone knows my IP?
Every website you visit receives your IP, so it is not a secret. The real risks come from default router passwords or open remote-access ports, so check those basic settings.
How can I change my IP address?
With a dynamic IP, turning the router or modem off for a few minutes often gives you a new address. For an immediate change you can use a VPN and confirm it with check that your VPN works.