Every device that communicates over the internet needs an address so that data knows where to go and where to return. That address is the IP address – short for Internet Protocol address. When you load a web page, your request carries your IP address as the “return to sender” label, and the website's server sends the page back to it.
Public and private IP addresses
Most homes have one public IP address, assigned to the router by the internet service provider (ISP). This is the address websites see. Inside the home, the router gives each phone, laptop and smart TV its own private IP address, typically starting with 192.168., 10. or 172.16–31. Private addresses are reused in millions of homes and only work locally.
The router translates between the two using a technique called Network Address Translation (NAT). That is why all the devices in your home appear to websites under the same public IP.
Dynamic and static addresses
Home connections usually receive a dynamic public IP, which can change when your router reconnects or after a period of time. Businesses that host servers often pay for a static IP that never changes. Mobile networks frequently share one public IP among many customers, a practice called carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT).
What an IP address reveals – and what it does not
From an IP address, anyone can look up the network it belongs to (for example your ISP or a cloud provider) and an approximate location, usually a city or region. That location comes from databases built by commercial providers and is often wrong by tens or hundreds of kilometres. An IP address does not reveal your name, your street address or your browsing history. Only your ISP can link an address to a subscriber account.
How to find your IP address
Your public IP is shown instantly on our What Is My IP page. To find a device's private IP:
- Windows: open Command Prompt and type
ipconfig. - macOS: System Settings › Network › your connection › Details.
- Android / iPhone: Wi-Fi settings › tap your network.
Changing or hiding your IP
Restarting your router may give you a new dynamic IP. To hide your IP from websites, you can use a VPN, the Tor Browser or a privacy relay offered by some browsers. Websites will then see the address of that service instead. If privacy matters to you, also check for WebRTC leaks, which can expose your real address.
Summary
- An IP address routes data to and from your network.
- Your router has one public IP; devices inside have private IPs.
- IP location is approximate and does not identify you personally.