What Is an IP Address?
IP addresses allow us to communicate, connect, and browse online. However, the IP system can sometimes seem unclear, and you may not even know exactly what an IP address is. Check your IP address on the What Is My IP homepage. Then, in this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about public and private IP addresses.
What is an IP address?
An IP address, meaning Internet Protocol address, is a uniquely identifying string of numbers. Each network-connected device or any object in the Internet of Things receives one. The address identifies and allows these computers, phones, and printers to communicate with each other.
They can do so either on an internal or external computer network. Any computer or computing accessory that transmits or receives network traffic gets an IP. 192.168.10.1 and 192.168.11.1 are two IP address examples. Anything with that IP can communicate across the same network.
Think of an IP address like a digital mailing address. Just like your home has a unique mailing address, your device has a unique IP address when connected to a network. If someone mails you a package, the postal service needs to know your correct house number and ZIP code. The Internet works the same way: websites and online services need your IP so that they know where to deliver the data you request.
What is the purpose of an IP address?
Each device on a network receives an IP address for several purposes. IPs help to:
- identify computers on a network
- enable communication between users
- allow access to online resources and services
Without IPs, routers could not properly route and transfer data. IPs are essential for successful digital communication within an internal network. However, they're also crucial for communication between a network and the wider Internet. They allow users access to online resources through their front-facing public IP. In enterprise environments, IPs also support functions like access control lists (ACLs), geolocation-based restrictions, and traffic-monitoring policies used by IT administrators.
In some cases, groups of computers share a virtual IP address, which isn't tethered to a specific device or network. These are failover addresses used in high-availability systems like load balancers or clustered servers.
How do IP addresses work?
When a device connects to a network, the network assigns it an IP. A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, router, or Internet service provider (ISP) usually assigns it. In any IP system within a network, the device that assigns the IP governs it, whether that be your router or your ISP.
Your Internet activity then goes through your Internet service provider. It routes back to you via the IP assigned to you. Your address isn't permanent, though; your public IP changes over time due to ISP assignment, while your private IP changes whenever devices reconnect to the local network.
All DHCP servers, routers, and Internet service providers use IP address management (IPAM). This prevents the assignment of the same Internet Protocol address to multiple computers on the same network segment. However, sometimes two have the same IP on the same network. In these cases, an IP conflict prevents data from correctly transmitting and arriving on these devices.
Your Internet Protocol address works, theoretically, as a digital version of your home address. It’s like how you need a home address to receive mail, and the sender must have your correct home number and zip code. You need an Internet Protocol address to connect to the Internet. Therefore, anything connecting to yours needs the proper address for a successful connection.
However, this analogy only works up to a point. Though two different houses don’t share a home address, devices from different networks can. For example, 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.254 are both private addresses used on many computing accessories across many different networks.
As long as the devices are on different networks, it’s possible for two devices to have the same IP. Within the same network, though, they would be unable to transmit and receive data properly because the router would not know which device to deliver packets to, as explained above.
What does an IP address tell you?
An Internet Protocol address contains a lot of information. However, its main purpose is simply to identify your device and your network across different Internet connections.
An IP can provide clues about which Internet service provider you use and the type of connection you're using (such as fiber, cable, or mobile data). It also reveals information about your general location. It can typically indicate your country or region and, in many cases, your state or city, depending on how your ISP assigns IP ranges.
However, you can’t find someone’s exact location from their IP. The information helps other devices and networks to identify you, not other users online. In many cases, the geolocation data associated with an IP address isn’t even completely accurate. Each IP geolocation database keeps different records, and accuracy can vary widely, especially for mobile networks or rural areas.
For example, many users report their IP geolocation shows a nearby large city rather than their actual town, because ISPs often register IP blocks to centralized hub locations rather than individual neighborhoods.
Types of IP addresses
It can be difficult for a beginner to fully understand the IP system. If you’re just learning about Internet Protocol addresses, read below. We'll explain IP address terms and types of IPs to help you understand them.
IPv4 IP address
IPv4 addresses refer to Internet Protocol version 4 IP addresses. They are the standard IP, containing 32 bits in dotted decimal notation.
IPv6 IP address
IPv6 is the latest version of the IP system, making it the longest IP address. It contains 128 bits, letters, and numbers and provides exponentially more available address space than IPv4.
Public IP address
Your Internet service provider assigns your public IP, which allows you to connect to the Internet. This is the address that's visible when you go online and identifies your network to external servers.
Private IP address
A private IP allows your computer to communicate locally on a network. Your WiFi router assigns your private IP from one of the IANA-reserved private ranges.
Static IP address
An Internet service provider manually assigns a static IP. Unlike dynamic IPs, static IPs do not change and are commonly used for servers or remote access tools.
Dynamic IP address
Networks assign dynamic IPs. Unlike static IPs, they change occasionally depending on the lease time set by the DHCP server.
Dedicated IP address
Dedicated IPs are website IP addresses. They allow users to run their own FTP servers and access their site via the IP alone and can improve email deliverability for businesses.
Loopback IP address
A loopback IP is reserved specifically to allow a computer to send and receive its own data packets. 127.0.0.1 is an example of one of these addresses and is commonly used for testing network software.
Shared IP address
Shared IPs are another type of website IP. Websites hosted from web hosting providers on the same server use shared IPs because multiple domains can resolve to the same server IP.
What is my public IP address?
Your public IP is the address servers and devices use to identify you when you connect to the Internet. All web servers, email servers, and other servers directly accessible online are candidates for a public IP.
It differs from your device’s private IP address, which has an individual assignment to each device you use. Your public IP is what the rest of the Internet sees. However, its visibility isn’t a privacy concern; you can’t be tracked by your Internet Protocol address.
Two devices with the same public IP can’t both exist on the Internet. That is why the public and private addressing system is necessary. It allows for each of the devices to locate each other while online. That way, they can connect and exchange information.
Your ISP assigns you a dynamic IP address as soon as you get an Internet connection. This means you lack control over your specific address assignment.
Therefore, your public and private addresses may differ. This is why you may see a different IP address on WhatIsMyIP.com than when using ipconfig or ifconfig commands. The home page displays your public IP; the commands typically display your private IP.
For example, if your laptop shows 192.168.0.14 in your network settings but WhatIsMyIP.com shows 73.221.44.10, the first is your private (local) IP assigned by your router, while the second is the public IP assigned to your entire household by your ISP. Online services - like banks, streaming platforms, and email providers - see only the public IP.
What is my private IP address?
Your private IP changes depending on what device you're using on your network. Your router assigns each device on your network a private IP to communicate. Private IPs come in three classes: class A, class B, and class C, depending on how big your network is.
You can use the ipconfig or ifconfig commands on your computer to check your private Internet Protocol address. If on a mobile device or tablet, check the settings. Learn how to check your device's private IP using your operating system's network settings or command-line tools.
Public vs. private IP addresses
Both public and private IPs are necessary for a successful and functioning network. However, understanding the differences between the two can help users who are new to networking.
As mentioned above, public IPs are what the rest of the Internet sees when you go online. Typically, this is the IP assigned to router, modem, or other Internet routing device. All devices on a network display the same public IP when browsing online. An Internet service provider assigns them.
Private IPs, on the other hand, are used to connect to other devices on the same local area network. Your router or modem assigns them; you can find them in your individual settings.
At the start of the Internet, we only utilized public IPs. However, as the Internet grew, it became apparent that there was a need for more addressing. With network address translation, routers or modems could work as middlemen between public and private networks. Devices can have private IPs on local networks and use one public IP on larger networks.
IPv4 vs. IPv6: Understanding the difference
Internet Protocol version 4, or IPv4, is the fourth version of the IP address system. It's the long-standing, globally dominant addressing format used in most consumer and enterprise networks today. An IPv4 address consists of 32-bit integers. Depending on a network's available addresses or host identifiers, it belongs to one of five classes.
IPv4 is still the most common protocol in active use across the Internet. However, as the Internet grew, it became apparent that the classful addressing system of IPv4 would eventually run out. The IPv6 addressing system thus emerged. This new version has 128-bit addressing space and allows for trillions of unique address assignments.
Though these two systems work in tandem, the primary difference between them comes in how they structure IP address size. IPv4's 32-bit addressing space is significantly smaller than IPv6's 128-bit addressing space. IPv6 also provides enhanced packet headers, allowing for improved routing.
However, note that IPv6 isn't the standard yet. IPv4 addresses are still most commonly used and supported. Most households and small businesses continue using IPv4 without issue, but modern routers and ISPs now support both IPv4 and IPv6 in a dual-stack configuration. This means your device may already use IPv6 in the background, even if you haven't configured anything manually.
How to hide your IP address
Though you’re not in control of your public IP, you can change it in order to gain privacy and greater anonymity online. There are several ways to hide your IP address that increase anonymity, security, and privacy online.
Using a virtual private network (VPN) masks your IP. It routes your connection through the VPN provider's servers, making your IP appear as the server’s rather than your true address.
They also provide greater network security and help protect against dangers like IP spoofing. You can also use a proxy server, which performs a similar function. Both options will mask your IP, which helps with privacy, data protection, and evading network blocks.
You can also contact your Internet service provider to change your IP address. This ensures that all future activity associates with your new IP rather than your old IP. If you're on a budget, you have other options. Unplugging your router for several minutes or using a privacy browser like Tor allows you to change or mask your IP while browsing online. Tor routes traffic through multiple volunteer-run nodes, making your true IP extremely difficult to trace, though at the cost of slower speeds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my Internet Protocol address?
Yes, you can change your IP. You can change it by simply switching networks. But you can also change your IP on the same network by using a free VPN or proxy. Browsers like Tor also remove the association of your IP from your user, which helps promote privacy and anonymity.
Does an Internet Protocol address change with location?
Your IP address changes based on your network, which means that yes, it can change with location. In most cases, the entire address changes when you join a new network, though some ISPs use region-specific addressing that keeps portions consistent.
What does IP stand for?
IP stands for Internet Protocol.
What is the IP address definition?
An IP, by definition, is a uniquely assigned number that identifies computers and computing accessories on a network. It follows a standardized formatting scheme (IPv4 or IPv6) so devices can send, receive, and route data correctly.
Can someone track me using my Internet Protocol address?
Someone cannot find your exact location with your IP, so in that sense, no, you cannot be tracked. However, someone can link your Internet Protocol address to all of your online activity. Websites and Internet service providers can see your activity. They could potentially get your IP address and identify you. For most users, this tracking is limited to approximate geolocation and service metadata rather than precise personal details.
Can two devices have the same IP address?
Two devices can have the same private IP address if connected to different networks. However, all public IPs connecting to the Internet must be unique. If two devices receive the same public IP due to misconfiguration, a routing conflict occurs and traffic cannot be delivered correctly.
How do I find my IP address?
Our homepage shows you your public IP address above. You’ll see the IPv4 and, if available, the IPv6 assigned by your Internet service provider (ISP). Your public IP address is the IP that is logged when you visit websites or use any other services on the Internet. It differs from your private IP address, which varies by individual device as each is assigned a private IP address.
If you want to find your private IP address on something else, like your phone or computer, you can follow our guides.
