What Is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network. It serves two functions: identifying the device (who you are) and providing its location on the network (how to reach you). Every time you visit a website, your IP address is sent with the request — it's how the server knows where to send the response.
Public IP vs Private IP — Key Difference
| Type | Example | Visible To | Assigned By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public IP | 203.0.113.42 | The entire internet | Your ISP |
| Private IP | 192.168.1.105 | Only your local network | Your router |
Your public IP is what websites, services, and servers on the internet see. Your private IP is your device's address within your home or office network. Our tool shows both — the public IP (what the world sees) and your local network IP (your device's address inside your network).
Why Two IPs? Your router has one public IP shared by all devices on your network. Each device gets a unique private IP assigned by the router. This is how 5 phones and 3 laptops in one home all share a single internet connection.
IPv4 vs IPv6 — What's the Difference?
- IPv4: 4 numbers separated by dots:
203.0.113.42. About 4.3 billion possible addresses — running out globally. - IPv6: 8 groups of 4 hex digits:
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. 340 undecillion addresses — effectively unlimited. Increasingly common.
Most users have both an IPv4 and IPv6 address. Our tool detects and shows both when available.
What Information Your IP Address Reveals
- ISP / Provider: Which company provides your internet (Stormfiber, Jazz, PTCL, etc.)
- Approximate city/region: Not your exact address — typically your city or nearby area
- Country: Determined by IP geolocation databases
- Connection type: Residential, business, mobile data, or datacenter
- Hostname: Reverse DNS hostname if available
Privacy Note: IP geolocation shows your approximate area — usually city level — not your home address. Exact street address cannot be determined from an IP address alone.
Why Would You Need to Check Your IP?
- Configure a home server or NAS for remote access
- Whitelist your IP address in a firewall or security group
- Troubleshoot connection issues by confirming your current IP
- Verify your VPN is actually routing through the correct country
- Check if your IP has changed after a router restart
- Provide your IP to a system administrator for remote access setup
Find My IP Free
Public IP, private IP, ISP, location, IPv4 and IPv6. Instant display, no signup.
Find My IP NowIP Address & VPN Verification
After connecting to a VPN, visit our What Is My IP page to verify the VPN is working correctly. Your public IP should change to an IP in the VPN server's country, not your actual ISP's IP. If your real IP still shows, the VPN may have a leak — a significant privacy issue worth investigating.
ToolMatrix What Is My IP Tool
Instantly displays your public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, private local IP, ISP name, approximate location (country, city), hostname, and connection type. No account needed, no data stored, completely free. Your IP information is shown only to you.