What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a numerical label that networks use to identify an interface and route data to the right destination. It works a little like a return address: when you request a web page, the network needs an address to send the response back to.
Your public IP does not necessarily belong to one device. At home it often represents your router and is shared by every device on your Wi-Fi. Mobile carriers, workplaces, and VPNs can also place many users behind a shared public address. Your router separately assigns private addresses to devices inside your local network. Want to see what websites see? Check your public IP address here.
What is the difference between a public and private IP address?
A public IP address is the address your ISP assigns to your home or office network. This is the address that websites and online services see when you connect to them. Every device sharing your Wi-Fi network shares the same public IP.
A private IP address is assigned by your router to each individual device on your local network — your laptop, phone, smart TV, and so on. Private IPs typically start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16 and are not visible to the outside internet. They only work within your local network to route traffic between your devices and your router.
What is the difference between a static and dynamic IP address?
A static IP address stays the same every time you connect to the internet. Businesses often use static IPs for hosting websites, running email servers, or setting up remote access. They cost more and must be specifically requested from your ISP.
A dynamic IP address is temporarily assigned by your ISP each time your router connects. Most home internet users have dynamic IPs. Your address may change every few days, after a router restart, or at your ISP's discretion. Dynamic IPs are more common because they allow ISPs to efficiently reuse a limited pool of addresses.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 is the original IP address format, written as four groups of numbers separated by dots (for example, the documentation address 192.0.2.1). It supports roughly 4.3 billion unique addresses, which seemed like more than enough in the 1980s but is now nearly exhausted as billions of devices have come online.
IPv6 was created to solve this shortage. It uses a much longer format with eight groups of hexadecimal characters and supports a virtually unlimited number of addresses. IPv6 adoption is growing, but most of the internet still relies heavily on IPv4. For a deeper comparison, see our IPv4 vs IPv6 guide.
Can someone hack me with my IP address?
Your IP address alone is not enough for someone to hack into your device or steal your personal information. However, it can be a useful starting point for an attacker. With your IP, someone could:
- Scan for open ports — Looking for services running on your network that might have vulnerabilities.
- Launch a DDoS attack — Flooding your connection with traffic to knock you offline.
- Attempt to exploit your router — Especially if you haven't changed the default admin password or updated the firmware.
Your most useful next steps are to update your router, change default passwords, keep the firewall on, and avoid exposing services you do not need. A reputable VPN can also keep your regular public IP out of the hands of sites and people you connect to.
Does my IP address change?
If you have a dynamic IP address (which most home internet users do), your IP can change periodically. It might change when your router restarts, when your ISP refreshes its address assignments, or after a prolonged disconnection. Some ISPs change your IP every few hours, while others may keep the same one for weeks.
If you have a static IP, it stays the same until you or your ISP specifically changes it. You can check your current IP address at any time to see what websites are seeing when you connect.
What does my IP address reveal about me?
Your IP address reveals more than most people expect, though it does not directly expose your identity. Here is what it typically shows:
- Approximate location — Your city, region, and country. It will not pinpoint your street address, but it narrows your location to a general area.
- Internet Service Provider — The company providing your internet connection (for example, Comcast, AT&T, or Vodafone).
- Connection type — Whether you are on a residential, business, or mobile connection.
- Browsing correlation — Advertisers and trackers can use your IP to follow your activity across multiple websites and build behavioral profiles.
Your IP does not reveal your name, email address, phone number, or exact physical address. But combined with cookies, browser fingerprinting, and data broker records, it contributes to a surprisingly detailed picture of who you are online.
How do I find my IP address?
The easiest way is to use an online tool. Our IP lookup page instantly shows your public IP address along with your approximate location, ISP, and other connection details.
You can also find your IP through your device settings:
- Windows — Open Command Prompt and type
ipconfig. Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active connection. - Mac — Go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, and look for your IP address.
- iPhone / Android — Go to Wi-Fi settings and tap on your connected network to view your IP address.
Keep in mind that the IP shown in your device settings is usually your private IP (your address on your local network). To see the public IP that websites see, use an online tool.
Can websites see my IP address?
Yes. Every time you visit a website, your IP address is sent as part of the connection request. This is a fundamental part of how the internet works — the website needs your IP to know where to send the page data back to.
Website operators can see your IP in their server logs and use it to estimate your location, block certain regions, enforce rate limits, or hand over records to law enforcement if required. Advertisers and analytics services also collect IP addresses to track visitors across the web.
If you do not want websites to see your regular public IP address, route the traffic through an intermediary such as a VPN or the Tor network.
How can I hide my IP address?
There are three main methods for hiding your IP address, each with different tradeoffs:
- VPN (Virtual Private Network) — A device-level VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the provider, then routes protected traffic through a VPN server. Websites see the server's public IP instead of your regular one. Performance and coverage vary by app, device, server, and provider. Compare VPN options.
- Tor Browser — Tor routes browser traffic through multiple volunteer-operated relays. It provides stronger resistance to tracing than a typical VPN, but it is usually slower and only covers traffic inside Tor Browser.
- Proxy server — A proxy acts as a middleman between you and the websites you visit. It hides your IP but typically does not encrypt your traffic, offering less privacy than a VPN.
For a detailed breakdown of each method, read our full guide on how to hide your IP address.
Does a VPN change my IP address?
Yes. When you connect to a VPN, protected traffic is routed through a server operated by the VPN provider. Websites generally see the IP address of that VPN server instead of the public address assigned to your regular connection. This masks your network address and changes your IP-based location, but it does not hide account logins, cookies, or every other identifier.
Most VPNs let you choose the country or city associated with the server address. This can reduce IP-based tracking and change the area websites estimate. Once you disconnect, websites can see your regular public IP again.
Is it illegal to hide my IP address?
Using a VPN, Tor, or a proxy is lawful in many places, but local rules vary and can change. Some countries restrict particular services or require approved providers.
Check the current rules where you are before relying on a privacy tool. A VPN changes how your traffic is routed; it does not change which laws apply to what you do online.