Why check your IP address?
Your IP address is the digital return address every website you visit can see. Knowing yours is useful for setting up a router, configuring a firewall or remote desktop, allow-listing your IP on a server, troubleshooting a VPN, verifying that a privacy tool actually changed your apparent location, or simply confirming you're connected to the network you think you are.
Unlike browser-side lookups, this tool reads your IP directly from the connection that hits our edge — so you get the exact address websites and servers actually see, without third-party API delays.
Public vs private IP — what's the difference?
- Public IP — Assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It's what websites, online games and other devices on the internet use to send data back to you. This is the one shown above.
- Private IP — Assigned by your router to each device on your local network (typically
192.168.x.x,10.x.x.xor172.16.x.x). It never leaves your home or office. - IPv4 — The original 32-bit format (~4.3 billion addresses). Still the most common.
- IPv6 — The 128-bit successor with effectively unlimited addresses. Increasingly used by mobile carriers and modern fiber ISPs.
How to hide or change your IP address
- Use a VPN — Reroutes all traffic through an encrypted tunnel; websites see the VPN server's IP, not yours. Best balance of speed, privacy and ease.
- Use the Tor Browser — Bounces traffic through three volunteer-run relays. Slower but excellent for anonymity.
- Use a proxy — Lighter than a VPN; only routes browser traffic. Useful for region testing.
- Switch networks — Toggling between Wi-Fi and mobile data instantly gives you a different public IP.
- Reboot your router — On most home connections this triggers a new dynamic IP from your ISP.
After making any change, hit Refresh above to confirm your new IP.
What can someone do with my IP address?
On its own, an IP address reveals only a rough location (typically the city) and your ISP. It cannot expose your name, exact home address, or what's on your computer. However, it can be used to send targeted traffic at your connection (DDoS), to block you from a service, or as one signal among many in advertising and fraud detection.
Frequently asked questions
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numeric label assigned to every device connected to the internet. Websites, apps, and servers use it to send data back to the right place — similar to a postal address for your network connection.
What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses a 32-bit format (e.g. 192.168.1.1) and is running out of available addresses. IPv6 uses a 128-bit format (e.g. 2001:db8::1) and provides a virtually unlimited pool. Most networks now support both; this page shows whichever your connection currently uses.
Is my IP address private or public?
The IP shown above is your public IP — what websites see. Your private IP (like 192.168.x.x) is used inside your home or office network and is hidden behind your router via NAT.
Can someone find my exact location from my IP?
No. IP geolocation usually narrows you down to a city or region, not a street address. The location shown here comes from the network edge and may differ from your real location, especially on mobile or behind a VPN.
How do I hide or change my IP address?
Use a trusted VPN, the Tor browser, or a proxy. These route your traffic through another server so websites see that server's IP instead of yours. Refresh this page after connecting to verify the change.
Why is my IP address different on phone and Wi-Fi?
On Wi-Fi you share your router's public IP with everyone on that network. On mobile data, your carrier assigns a different IP from its own pool. Switching networks always changes your public IP.
Does my IP change?
Most home connections use a dynamic IP that may change when you reboot your router or after a lease renewal from your ISP. Static IPs are usually only on business plans.