What Is My IP Address?
Use our free tool to find your public IP address (IPv4 & IPv6) online, along with your geolocation, ISP, and device details.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network. Much like a mailing address directs postal mail to your home, an IP address ensures that data packets traveling across the internet reach the correct device.
Every time you visit a website, send an email, or stream a video, your device’s IP address is used to route information back and forth. Without IP addresses, the internet simply couldn’t function — there would be no way to distinguish one device from another on the global network.
IPv4 vs IPv6: Types of IP Addresses
There are two versions of the Internet Protocol in active use today. Understanding the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 helps you appreciate how the internet is evolving to accommodate billions of connected devices.
Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4)
32-bitThe original and most widely used protocol. IPv4 provides a 32-bit address format, supporting roughly 4.3 billion unique addresses — a number we’ve already exceeded. Despite its limitations, it remains the backbone of the internet.
- Format: 192.168.1.1 (four octets separated by dots)
- Supports unicast, multicast, and broadcast communication
- Still used for core protocols like HTTP and DNS
- Requires NAT (Network Address Translation) to conserve addresses
Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
128-bitThe successor to IPv4, designed to meet the growing number of internet-connected devices. IPv6 offers a 128-bit address space — enough to assign a unique address to every atom on Earth’s surface.
- Format: 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334
- Automatic address configuration — devices self-assign IPs
- Eliminates NAT — direct end-to-end connectivity
- Built-in IPSec, improved QoS, and better multicast support
Public vs Private IP Addresses
Not all IP addresses work the same way. Your network uses both public and private addresses to balance accessibility with security. Understanding the difference is key to managing your network and protecting your devices.
Public IP Address
Internet-FacingA public IP is a globally unique address assigned by your ISP to devices that access the internet. It’s visible to every website and service you connect to, and it’s how the outside world identifies your network. Devices with public IPs need extra security measures like firewalls.
- Unique across the entire internet
- Assigned and managed by your ISP
- Accessible from anywhere in the world
- Requires firewalls and security measures
Private IP Address
Local NetworkPrivate IP addresses are used within local networks like homes or offices. Your router assigns private IPs to each device, and they’re invisible to the outside world — allowing multiple devices in the same network to share a single public IP address.
- Only visible within your local network
- Assigned by your router via DHCP
- Common ranges: 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x
- Multiple devices share one public IP
| Feature | Public IP | Private IP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Global (internet-wide) | Local (network-only) |
| Uniqueness | Globally unique | Unique within LAN only |
| Assigned By | ISP | Router (DHCP) |
| Accessibility | Reachable from anywhere | Not reachable externally |
| Security | Needs firewall protection | Hidden behind NAT |