What is an IP address? It is a number that identifies a device on a network, much like a postal address lets mail find a house. Your home connection has a public IP address that websites see, and each device inside your home has its own private one. Your public address shows roughly where you connect from, but it is not a street address.
What an IP address does
For data to arrive in the right place, it needs a destination. IP stands for Internet Protocol, the set of rules that moves data between networks, and an IP address is the label on each end of the conversation. When you load a web page, your device sends a request marked with its address and the server’s address, and the reply uses those labels in reverse.
People rarely type these numbers because names are easier to remember. The conversion from a name to a number is the job of DNS.
IPv4, IPv6, public and private
IPv4 and IPv6
There are two versions in use today.
- IPv4 uses four numbers separated by dots, each between 0 and 255. It allows only a few billion addresses, which turned out not to be enough for a world of phones, laptops and gadgets.
- IPv6 uses longer addresses written in groups of letters and numbers separated by colons. It provides a vastly larger pool, so devices can have their own addresses without sharing.
Most networks use both side by side. You may have one, the other or both without ever noticing.
Public and private addresses
Private addresses
Inside your home, the router hands out private addresses to your devices. Certain ranges are reserved for this purpose and are never used on the open internet. They only mean something locally, so the same private address can exist in millions of homes at once. Addresses beginning with 192.168 are a familiar example.
Public addresses
Your router has a public address, assigned by your internet provider, which is the one the rest of the internet sees. Through a technique called network address translation, the router lets all your devices share that single public address and keeps track of which reply belongs to which device.
Static and dynamic
Most households get a dynamic address, which the provider may change from time to time. A static address stays the same and is mostly used by businesses that host services.
What your IP address reveals
A website that sees your public address can usually work out your internet provider and a rough location, often the city or region. That is why sites can show local weather or content in your language. The accuracy varies, and it is not precise enough to pinpoint your house.
The address can be linked to your activity by the sites you visit, and by advertising and analytics services, which can use it as one clue among many when recognising you. Your internet provider can match the address to your account. Other people cannot normally find out your name or home address from an IP address alone, though legal processes can compel providers to disclose records in some circumstances, depending on local law.
Finding and hiding your IP address
How to find your IP address
- Public address: search for a tool that shows your IP address, or check your router’s status page.
- Private address: look in your device’s network settings under Wi-Fi details, or the router’s list of connected devices.
If the two do not match, that is normal, because they are different things.
Should you hide your IP address?
You do not have to, but there are reasons you might want to limit what it reveals, such as reducing location-based tracking or avoiding exposing your home connection on public networks. A VPN replaces the public address websites see with that of the VPN server, which is the main reason people use one. It does not make you anonymous, since the provider can see your traffic source and sites can still recognise you through accounts and other signals. For more detail, read whether a VPN makes you anonymous.
Other ways to change what sites see include using a different network, such as mobile data, or specialised privacy tools. Each has its own trade-offs and rules, so check the terms of any service you use.
Common myths
- Anyone with your IP can hack you. Not by itself. Your router’s firewall blocks unsolicited traffic by default, which is another reason to keep it updated and well configured. See how to secure your home Wi-Fi router.
- Your IP address is your physical address. It gives a rough area, not a street.
- Changing it makes you invisible. Cookies, logins and device characteristics can still identify you.
Where to start
You do not need to memorise any numbers. It is enough to know that your public address is shared by your whole household, that it reveals an approximate location and provider, and that your router protects your private devices behind it. If you want more control over what the internet learns about you, look at VPNs and private browsing habits, and explore our Wi-Fi and networking guides for the related building blocks.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone find my home address from my IP address?
Not normally. An IP address gives an approximate location, usually a city or region, and only your internet provider can link it to your account.
Why does my IP address change?
Most providers assign dynamic addresses that can change when your router restarts or after some time. Your private addresses at home may also change unless reserved.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses shorter dotted addresses and is running short of numbers. IPv6 uses longer addresses and provides a far larger supply.
Does a VPN change my IP address?
Yes. Websites see the VPN server's public address instead of your own, though your real address is still known to the VPN provider.
