What Is My IP Address?

See your public IP address with city, country, and ISP info

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What Is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. It serves two purposes: identifying your device on the network and providing your location for routing data. Think of it as your device's mailing address — without it, websites wouldn't know where to send the pages you request.

Your public IP address is the one websites see when you connect. It's assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is shared by all devices on your home network behind your router. Your private IP address (like 192.168.x.x) is only visible within your local network. You can see both with our public & private IP tool.

IPv4 vs IPv6

IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1 — four groups of numbers separated by dots, with each group ranging from 0 to 255. There are about 4.3 billion possible IPv4 addresses, and they've essentially run out. IPv6 addresses look like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 — eight groups of hexadecimal numbers. IPv6 provides 340 undecillion addresses (3.4 × 10³⁸), more than enough for every device on Earth.

Most websites and ISPs now support both protocols. Your connection may use IPv4, IPv6, or both (dual-stack). If you're using a VPN, check that both your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are protected with our VPN leak test.

What Websites Can See from Your IP

Your IP address reveals more than you might expect. Websites can determine your approximate city and region, your ISP name, and your country. They can use this for content localization, fraud detection, and targeted advertising. However, an IP address alone does not reveal your exact street address, your name, or your browsing history on other sites.

To hide your IP address from websites, you can use a VPN, the Tor network, or a proxy server. A VPN replaces your real IP with the VPN server's IP, making it appear as if you're browsing from a different location. Check which DNS server you're using to ensure your queries aren't leaking your real location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to your device on the internet. It's like a mailing address — it tells servers where to send data back to you. Your public IP is visible to every website you visit.
Can someone find my location from my IP address?
An IP address can reveal your approximate location — usually your city and ISP, but not your exact street address. IP geolocation databases are accurate to the city level in most cases. A VPN masks your real IP and shows a different location.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 addresses use 4 groups of numbers (like 192.168.1.1) and are limited to about 4.3 billion addresses. IPv6 uses a longer format (like 2001:0db8::1) and supports vastly more addresses. Most networks currently use IPv4, with IPv6 adoption growing.
Does my IP address change?
Most home internet connections have a dynamic IP that changes periodically (often every few days or when your router restarts). Business connections often have a static IP that stays the same. Mobile connections change IP frequently as you move between cell towers.
How can I hide my IP address?
You can hide your real IP using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which routes your traffic through a server in another location. The Tor browser also hides your IP by routing through multiple servers. Proxy servers provide a simpler but less secure option.

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