How to Find Your IP Address on Windows 10 & 11
Windows gives you several ways to find your IP address, and which you need depends on the job: your public IP (what websites see) or your local IP (your address on your own network, for things like printers and port forwarding). Here are the quickest routes to both.
Fastest: your public IP
Just open the whatismineip.com homepage — it instantly shows your public IPv4/IPv6, your provider, and approximate location. No settings required, works on every Windows version.
Method 1: Settings (local IP)
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet.
- Click Wi-Fi → your network → Properties (or Ethernet for wired).
- Scroll to find IPv4 address — something like
192.168.1.42.
Method 2: Command Prompt (fastest for locals)
- Press Win + R, type
cmd, hit Enter. - Type
ipconfigand press Enter. - Under your active adapter, read IPv4 Address. You'll also see the subnet mask and default gateway (your router).
For more detail — including your MAC address and DNS servers — use ipconfig /all.
Method 3: PowerShell
Run Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 | Format-Table for a structured view of every interface, useful when you have VPNs or virtual adapters cluttering the list.
Which address is which?
| You see | It means |
|---|---|
192.168.x.x / 10.x.x.x | Local address from your router — see public vs private |
169.254.x.x | Self-assigned — DHCP failed; see APIPA explained |
| Anything else on a website | Your public IP, assigned by your ISP |
Note that ipconfig can't show your public IP — Windows itself only knows its local address; the public one exists on your router's WAN side. That's why a reflector site is the standard way to check it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Windows IP different from what websites see?
Windows shows your private LAN address; websites see the public IP your ISP gave your router. Both are correct — they operate at different levels.
How do I get a fixed local IP on Windows?
Prefer a DHCP reservation in your router; alternatively set it manually under Settings → Network → your adapter → Edit IP assignment — full guide in our static IP article.