The free IP address lookup tool determines the geographical location of any IP address or your IP address. If you want to know how to look up an IP address, just use the tool. You can search for IP addresses to find details about the addresses.
What information can you find with the IP address lookup?
The search results provide quite a bit of information about the IP locations, including:
- the city
- the state/region
- the postal/zip code
- the country name
- the Internet service provider (ISP)
- the time zone
Use the geo-IP location data provided by IP2Location and IPData to find the owner of an address. If you want to learn how to trace an IP address location, using the IP address lookup tool is the best way to do it.
Some lookups also return results for the owner of the IP address, such as the company or service provider. It may also show the hostname, which is the name assigned to a device connected to a network; and the device type. The device type indicates whether the device is a phone, smartphone, or router.
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a unique string of numbers that identifies a computer or device on a network. It ensures that data sent over the Internet reaches the correct destination on a network. Without IP addresses, routers and other network devices couldn't function properly or transfer data.
How to perform an IP address lookup
An IP lookup retrieves information about an IP address, including its location, hostname, and network details. This is typically done using online tools or command-line interfaces to diagnose network issues, track malicious activities, or maintain online privacy.
To perform an IP address lookup, simply enter the IP you want to search into the tool above. Then, press Lookup. The tool will return information related to your location. This includes data like the city, country, postal code, and Internet service provider of the IP you entered.
You can look up your own IP in the tool or you can look up someone else's. Your IP will automatically be filled into the tool. However, if you want to perform another IP lookup, simply replace the auto-filled IP with the IP you want to search.
Understanding IP address location results
The results are sometimes a hit or miss in a search for an IP address location. A precise IP-to-location converter doesn't exist, and no IP geolocation database is 100% accurate. The results from an IP address search are a collection of data from several IP location databases. Each database reports differently.
These variances in data lead to locational information that sometimes isn’t accurate. Your IP address location is what shows up on the IP lookup tool, but it may not be your true location. Additionally, the following factors all affect geolocation data:
- the location of the IP address registration
- where the controlling agency (ISP) is located
- if the user has a proxy connection
- if the user has a VPN connection
- whether the connection is a cellular device, including a hotspot
- if the user connects to an anonymous browser, like TOR
Consider, for example, if you are in the US. The controlling agency of the IP, however, is located in Canada. The IP address location lookup data may show Canada as the IP location. It is not uncommon to see a Canadian IP while searching an IP address in the northern US while on a mobile device.
Similarly, your IP location may appear as a state you’re not in if that’s where your ISP is located.
The location information you collect might not be completely accurate. However, combine the data you collect from the location finder. This can help you narrow down the location to the correct city. From there, you can try using other online tools to find the owner of the IP address.
Note that you can't find someone's exact location by IP address. You can use an IP to map out the city, state, or country an IP address comes from, but you won't be able to track someone down from their IP alone.
What do the IP lookup tool results mean?
When you lookup an IP address, you receive the results detailed above. To recap, this information may include:
- the city
- the state/region
- the postal/zip code
- the country name
- the Internet service provider (ISP)
- the time zone
The city, state or region, postal code, and country name refer to the perceived location of your IP address. Often, it corresponds to your location or a nearby location, like the town next to yours.
However, this isn't always the case. Because the tool looks for the location of the IP, it can sometimes return location results that aren't anywhere near you. This occurs if your ISP is located elsewhere or you use a VPN or proxy.
The Internet service provider result you see is your Internet service provider. This refers to the company or entity that assigns you your IP address and provides your Internet access.
These results can help you get a better idea of an IP address's location. This will then give you an indication of a user's location.
How do I look up IP addresses?
If you know the address you want to search in the IP address checker tool, enter it above. The IP address search tool will fulfill the address query in a free trace of the IP address and return the results as detailed above. You can also use an IP location app to look up an IP address. These apps work well to check IP address locations for a mobile device IP address lookup.
Note that when you search IP addresses through the tool, the result you get is your public IP address. This is different than your private IP address, which you find through your computer. Read about how to check an IP address in Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11, or on an iPad to learn how to find your device's private IP.
Our homepage shows your IP address along with geolocation and ISP. This is your public IP; it will also tell you what your IP location is and who your ISP is. Once you have an IP address, you can also do a reverse IP address lookup. A reverse IP lookup queries the IP addresses to return hostnames.
With a typical IP lookup, you'd find the IP address of a website or domain. But with a reverse IP address lookup tool, you'd find the domain of an IP. To find the owner of an IP address, use the IP WHOIS lookup tool.
Updating your IP location
You may find that your IP geolocation information is incorrect. If this is the case, contact the IP location data providers and update your IP address location. Search your IP address in the lookup tool and contact the third-party providers listed in the results.
Allow time for the updates to propagate. Then, try using the lookup tool to check your IP address location again to confirm that the information is now correct. You can also confirm updates listed on third-party providers’ websites.
Can you look up someone's IP address for free?
Yes, using the IP address tracker tool, you can search up addresses and receive the geolocation of an IP address for free. The information you'll receive often includes the country, state, and city of the located address.
Why do I need to perform an IP address lookup?
IP address lookup is important for finding security threats, tracking spammers and hackers, and solving network problems. Businesses and individuals can also use it for marketing purposes. They can target specific regions or demographics with ads or information.
Common uses for the IP address lookup
IP address lookups can be used for various purposes, including:
- Tracking down spammers and hackers. The lookup helps to track down spammers by identifying the IP of suspicious emails or websites. Then, you can report it to the appropriate authorities, preventing others from falling victim.
- Marketing and advertising. The lookup helps with marketing and advertising purposes. By identifying the location of a device, businesses can target specific regions or demographics with their ads and promos.
- Discovering your ISP. If you don't know who your ISP, or Internet service provider, is, the lookup tool shows you.
Limits of the IP address lookup
While the IP address lookup can provide valuable information, it does have limitations. These include:
- Inaccurate location reporting. The lookup only provides a general location, which may not always be accurate. For example, if you're using a VPN, your IP address will likely indicate a different location.
- Struggles with dynamic IP addresses. Some ISPs use dynamic IPs, meaning your IP changes frequently. This makes it challenging to track down a specific user.
- Privacy concerns. The lookup can reveal personal information, like your general location and Internet service provider. For some individuals, this may cause privacy concerns.
The IP lookup tool offers many benefits to users, but make sure you consider the limitations as well. You may need to use another WhatIsMyIP tool to get the information you're looking for.
The importance of IP tracking
Though IP tracking might sound like a concerning concept, it actually has many benefits for users. It helps enhance network security through threat detection and prevention, as the process helps identify potentially malicious IPs. Organizations can also use IP tracking to control or limit network access, protecting sensitive resources.
Additionally, identifying where site visitors come from via IP benefits websites. A website can provide localized content to better enhance its visitors' experiences. Websites and marketers can use IP tracking to deliver more geographically relevant advertisements to visitors and users. It provides benefits to the users and also offers insight to the businesses or marketers.
IP tracking can also help prevent fraudulent or criminal activities and help law enforcement officials track cybercriminals. As long as IP tracking is used mindfully, it's an excellent tool for almost all users.
Reporting IP abuse
If you’re looking up an IP address because you’ve become a victim of IP abuse, don't act immediately. It’s important to report the IP abuse rather than attempting to handle it yourself. Many times, the owner of the IP address does not realize that their computer hosted an attack. Don’t assume that the owner of the IP address is the person behind the abuse.
Perform an IP WHOIS Lookup to get further IP address details, including abuse contact information for IP address owners. You can block the offending IP address. Then, file a complaint with the authorities or your Internet service provider and allow them to handle the situation. If it has been reported for spam or harassment in the past, the IP may be added to a blacklist, which can be confirmed with the blacklist check tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is my IP address?
You can find your IP address on WhatIsMyIP.com.
Can an IP address be traced?
Yes, an IP address can be traced. However, this doesn't mean that someone will be able to find your exact location. Tracing an IP address only brings someone to your general location or leads them to your Internet service provider.
Is it illegal to look up someone's IP address?
No, it's not illegal to look up someone's IP address.
How does an IP address tracker work?
An IP address tracker uses location databases that map IP addresses to track the location of the inputted IP. Once you enter an IP into the tracker, it assesses the available map data to retrieve information. This includes the IP's general location, its related ISP, information about the Internet connection or network type, and more.