How To Find Your IP Address on Windows Easily

Figuring out your IP address on Windows might seem like one of those annoying little tasks that’s easier to ignore—until you’re troubleshooting a network issue or trying to set up a new device. Yeah, it’s not exactly fun, but knowing your local IP is super helpful, especially when dealing with router configs or if something’s acting wonky on the network. And if you need your public IP, that’s a different story — but trust me, all that can be done with a quick web search.

What trips lots of folks up is the actual process itself—opening the right menus, typing the right commands, and knowing where to look. Since Windows can be a bit quirky sometimes, this guide will walk through the easiest way to check your IP, using built-in tools you’ve probably already got available. It’s straightforward, but like all tech, sometimes a little patience helps, especially if things don’t work on the first try. Also, keep in mind, on some setups, your IP might change if you disconnect and reconnect your network or reboot your router. That’s normal, but it can throw you off if you’re not paying attention.

How to Check Your IP Address on Windows

Open the Command Prompt

• Hit the Start menu — usually the Windows icon at the bottom-left corner.
• Type cmd into the search bar. Yep, just that simple.
• Right-click on Command Prompt from the results and choose Run as administrator if you need more detailed info, though for most, just opening it normally is fine.

Run the “ipconfig” Command

• Once the Command Prompt window pops up, type ipconfig and press Enter.
• This command is kind of like asking your device to spill its network secrets. It shows info about all your network interfaces, including your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.

Locate Your Local IP Address

• Scroll through the results for the line that says IPv4 Address — that’s usually what you want. It looks something like 192.168.x.x.
• On some systems, it might be under a different label or listed as IPv4 next to your network adapter. If you’re on Wi-Fi, it’ll be shown under your wireless adapter section.
• It’s that set of numbers you’ll use for things like port forwarding, troubleshooting network conflicts, or connecting devices locally.

Pro tip: If you need your public IP, just open a browser and search “What is my IP.” It’s faster, but knowing how to find your local IP is gold for network configs.

Extra Tips for a Smoother Experience

• Always ensure you’re connected to the internet before checking your IP—no connection, no IP info.
• If your IP seems weird or keeps changing, it might be your ISP’s dynamic IP at work. That’s normal, but if you want a static IP, you’ll have to ask your provider or set it up manually in your router settings.
• Bookmark or make a note of your IP if you’re doing a lot of local network work—save yourself some hassle.
• Want to find your public IP? Just Google “what’s my IP” or visit a site like whatismyip.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is an IP address?

It’s like your device’s digital home address on a network—whether your local Wi-Fi or the internet at large. It helps identify your device so other things can find it.

Why do I need to know my IP address?

Mostly for troubleshooting, setting up servers or networked devices, or securing your network. It’s kind of like knowing your vehicle’s license plate when dealing with tech stuff.

Can I change my IP address?

Yes, especially your public IP, which is often assigned dynamically. Restarting your router can sometimes do the trick, but if you want a fixed address, you might need to contact your ISP or configure it in your router.

Is my device’s local IP the same as my public IP?

Nope, local IPs are unique to your device within your network—like 192.168.1.2—but your public IP is the one visible on the internet, shared among your entire network.