What's My IP Address?

Your IP address is a unique identifier assigned to your device when it connects to the internet. This tool shows you both your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, along with detailed information about your network connection and approximate location.

The IP address displayed here is your public IP address - the one that websites and online services see when you connect to them. This is different from your private IP address used within your local network.

A public IP address is a globally unique address that identifies your device on the internet. Unlike private IP addresses (used within your home or office network), public IP addresses are assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are visible to websites and online services.

Key characteristics of public IP addresses:

• Globally unique: No two devices on the internet can have the same public IP address at the same time
• ISP assigned: Your internet provider assigns and manages your public IP address
• Location identifiable: Public IP addresses can be used to determine your approximate geographic location
• Dynamic or static: Most home users have dynamic IPs that change periodically, while businesses often have static IPs

Your public IP address affects your online experience in several ways:

• Geographic restrictions: Some websites and streaming services use your IP to determine your location and may restrict content based on your country
• Website analytics: Websites use IP addresses to track visitor statistics, detect fraud, and provide location-specific content
• Online security: Your IP can be used to identify suspicious activity or block malicious traffic
• Network troubleshooting: IT administrators use IP addresses to diagnose and resolve network issues
• Privacy concerns: Your IP address can potentially be used to track your online activities across different websites

Whether you should change your IP address depends on your specific needs and concerns:

Reasons you might want to change your IP:

• Access geo-restricted content from other regions
• Enhance privacy and reduce online tracking
• Bypass network restrictions or censorship
• Resolve connectivity issues with certain websites
• Protect against DDoS attacks or harassment

Methods to change your IP address:

• Restart your modem/router (may work for dynamic IPs)
• Contact your ISP to request a new IP address
• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service
• Use a proxy server
• Use mobile data instead of your home internet

There are several ways to find and display your IP address:

Online tools (like this one):

• Visit websites that automatically detect and display your public IP
• These tools often provide additional information like location and ISP details
• Quick and easy method that works on any device with internet access

Command line methods:

• Windows: ipconfig (local IP) or nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com (public IP)
• Mac/Linux: ifconfig (local IP) or curl ifconfig.me (public IP)
• Universal: curl ipinfo.io for detailed IP information

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you use a proxy, your internet traffic is routed through the proxy server, which then communicates with websites on your behalf.

How proxies change your IP address:

• Websites see the proxy server's IP address instead of your real IP
• Your actual IP address is hidden from the websites you visit
• The proxy server's location determines what websites think is your location

Types of proxies:

• HTTP proxies: Work with web browsers and HTTP traffic
• SOCKS proxies: Handle various types of traffic, more versatile
• Transparent proxies: Don't hide your IP, mainly used for caching
• Anonymous proxies: Hide your IP but identify themselves as proxies
• Elite proxies: Hide your IP and don't identify as proxies

Proxy vs VPN: While both change your apparent IP address, VPNs encrypt your entire internet connection and typically offer better security and privacy than basic proxy servers.