If you have ever set up a printer, troubleshot slow Wi-Fi, or called technical support, you may have wondered, how i get the ip address of my computer. The answer depends on whether you need the computer's local address inside your home network or your public address on the internet. Both take about five minutes to find, and neither requires advanced technical skills.
An IP address is a number that helps devices communicate. Your laptop, desktop, phone, smart TV, and printer typically receive private local addresses from your router. Your internet provider also gives your home connection a public IP address. Think of the local address as an apartment number inside your house and the public address as the street address the outside world can see.
Find your IP address on Windows
For most Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, start with the Start menu. Open Settings, choose Network & internet, and select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on how the computer connects. Click the connected network, then scroll to Properties. Look for IPv4 address. It usually looks like 192.168.1.24 or 10.0.0.18. That is your local IP address.
There is also a quick method through the Windows search box. Type “Command Prompt,” open the app, and type “ipconfig” without quotation marks. Press Enter and find the network connection you are using. The number beside IPv4 Address is the local address. Ignore disconnected adapters and virtual network entries unless a technician specifically asks for them.
If someone asks for your computer's IP address while helping you connect a printer or shared folder, this local IPv4 number is usually what they mean. It can change later because many home routers assign addresses automatically. That is normal and is not a sign that your computer has been hacked.
Find it on a Mac or Chromebook
On a Mac, open the Apple menu, select System Settings, and choose Wi-Fi. Click Details beside the connected network, then open TCP/IP. The number next to IP address is your local address. On older macOS versions, the same information appears under System Preferences, Network, Wi-Fi, and Advanced.
On a Chromebook, click the time in the lower-right corner and select the Wi-Fi network. Open the network details or settings panel. The device information should show an IP address, often in the same 192.168 or 10.0 format used by other home devices. Chromebook menus can look slightly different after updates, but searching Settings for “IP address” can take you to the right screen.
When a support agent asks how i get the ip address of my computer, I first ask whether they need the local or public address. That small question prevents a lot of back-and-forth. A printer on your home network needs the local address. A website or internet service may be identifying your public address instead.
How to check your public IP address
The easiest way to find a public IP address is to open a trusted search engine and type “what is my IP address.” The result will show the public address your internet connection presents to websites. You can also use the account page or app provided by your internet company. This address might look different from the number shown in your computer's network settings, and that difference is expected.
Your public IP address identifies your internet connection, not necessarily one individual computer. If several family devices use the same home router, websites usually see the same public address for all of them. Your provider might change that address periodically, especially after a modem restart or service update. Some households with business service pay for a static address that stays consistent.
Knowing how i get the ip address of my computer does not mean you should post the number publicly. A public IP address alone usually does not give someone access to your files, but it is still information worth sharing carefully. Do not send it to a stranger who contacted you unexpectedly, and never grant remote access just because someone claims your IP proves there is a virus.
Local IP versus public IP: which one do you need?
Use the local IP address for tasks inside your home. Examples include adding a wireless printer, connecting a media server, troubleshooting a smart-home hub, or allowing a trusted family device to communicate with another device. These addresses commonly begin with 192.168, 10, or 172.16 through 172.31.
Use the public IP address when an internet provider, workplace support desk, or online service specifically requests it. A gaming service, remote-work system, or home security setup might ask for public-network details, but follow instructions carefully. If the request involves opening router ports, pause and confirm the steps. Port forwarding can be useful, but an incorrect rule can expose a device unnecessarily.
Here is the practical shortcut: if the problem involves your router, printer, or another device sitting beside you, start with the local address. If it involves your internet connection from outside the home, the public address is more likely relevant.
Is sharing an IP address dangerous?
An IP address is not the same thing as a password. It does not automatically reveal your name, exact home location, photos, banking account, or computer contents. However, a public address can provide clues about your internet provider and general geographic area. Attackers can also scan exposed services when devices are poorly configured.
The bigger household risk is usually not the address itself. It is a scammer using technical language to pressure you. A caller might say, “We detected activity from your IP address,” then ask you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or another remote-control application. The software can let the caller view your screen or control the computer. Hang up and contact the company through its official website or bill.
Protect the front door before you build a taller fence. Use a strong, unique router administrator password, install router firmware updates, turn on the router firewall, and avoid enabling remote administration unless you genuinely need it. Keep computers updated and use two-factor authentication for email, banking, and your main shopping accounts.
A five-minute IP address checklist
When you need the information, first identify the device and connection: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet. Next, decide whether the request concerns your home network or the wider internet. Find the IPv4 address in settings, and write it down only in a trusted note or support chat. If the number begins with 192.168, 10, or a private 172 range, it is probably local.
If you are still unsure how i get the ip address of my computer, take a screenshot of the relevant settings page and send it only to a verified support channel. Cover unrelated details such as your computer name, email address, or any visible serial number. Never include passwords, recovery codes, payment information, or remote-access approval.
Five minutes now beats five hours later. Find the address needed for the specific task, complete the repair or setup, and then remove temporary sharing or router changes that are no longer necessary. The goal is not perfect security. It is fewer easy wins for the attacker and a calmer home network for everyone.
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