IP address guide
Understand the address this site shows and the address assigned to your device.
Public and private IP: what is the difference?
A public IP is the address a website sees for your request. A private IP is used inside a local network, often in a range such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x. A VPN, proxy, or your provider’s shared network can affect the public address shown here.
Why does my device show a different address?
Your device may display its local address while this page shows the address seen by our server. Many devices share one public IPv4 address through a router or provider network. With IPv6, devices can have distinct public addresses.
How can I find my device and router addresses?
On Windows, run ipconfig and check IPv4 Address and Default Gateway. On macOS, look under System Settings → Network → your connection → Details. On iPhone or Android, open the connected Wi-Fi network details; menu names vary. On Linux, run ip addr, and use ip route for the default gateway.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses addresses such as 203.0.113.25. IPv6 uses a longer format such as 2001:db8::1. Both examples are reserved for documentation. If this page shows IPv6, this request reached us over IPv6; that connection may come through your provider, a VPN, or a tunnel.
Why can my public IP change?
Providers often assign dynamic addresses that may change when a connection reconnects. A static assignment is intended to remain stable, but is not a promise that an address can never change. A VPN or proxy also changes the address a website sees.
Can an IP reveal my exact location?
IP location is an estimate, sometimes only at country or region level. An IP address alone does not reveal your exact street address or identify a person. This page is not a VPN, DNS, or WebRTC leak test.