Last updated: June 9, 2026

What is a public IP address?

A public IP address is the unique numerical identifier your internet connection uses to send and receive data on the internet. Websites, servers, and online services use it to route traffic back to you. The tool above shows the public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses your connection presents to the rest of the internet right now. For a deeper walkthrough, see our full guide on how to find your public IP address.

IPv4 and IPv6 — why you may see two addresses

Many modern connections are dual-stack, meaning they run IPv4 and IPv6 at the same time. IPv4 addresses look like 203.0.113.42 and come from a pool that has effectively run out. IPv6 addresses are longer hexadecimal strings like 2001:db8::1 and provide a vastly larger supply. If the tool shows “not detected” for IPv6, your ISP or router simply has not enabled it — nothing is wrong with your connection. Our IPv4 vs. IPv6 guide covers the differences in depth.

Public vs. private IP addresses

Your router receives a single public IPv4 address from your internet service provider (ISP), and every device behind that router shares it when communicating with the outside world. Internally, your router assigns private IP addresses (typically in ranges like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x) to each individual device. These private addresses are invisible to the broader internet. Learn more in our article on public vs. private IP addresses.

Why would you want to know your IP?

There are several practical reasons to look up your public IP address:

• Network troubleshooting: When diagnosing connectivity issues, support teams often ask for your IP address. Knowing it quickly saves time during live troubleshooting sessions.
• VPN verification: If you use a VPN, checking your IP address confirms whether the VPN is active and routing traffic through the expected server location.
• Geo-restrictions and content access: Streaming platforms and online services restrict content based on the geographic region your IP maps to. This tool shows you what region the internet thinks you are in.
• Remote access and server configuration: Setting up firewalls, allowlists, or remote desktop connections often requires your current IP — especially common for developers and sysadmins managing cloud servers.
• Security awareness: Your IP address reveals your approximate location and ISP. Periodically checking it helps you stay aware of what your connection exposes.

This tool checks your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses in real time using ipify.org, with geolocation details from ipinfo.io and an icanhazip.com fallback for reliability. Along with the addresses themselves, it displays your city, region, country, ISP, hostname, and timezone — a complete snapshot of how your connection appears to the internet.

IP address FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about public IP addresses, what they reveal, and why they change.

Can someone find my exact location from my IP address?

No. An IP address reveals only an approximate location — typically your city or region and your internet service provider. It does not expose your street address or precise coordinates. Only your ISP can link an IP address to a subscriber identity, and that requires legal process.

Why does my IP address change?

Most home connections use dynamic IP addresses assigned by the ISP through DHCP. Your address can change when your router reboots, when the DHCP lease expires, or when the ISP reorganizes its address pool. Businesses often pay for static IPs that never change.

Does a VPN change my IP address?

Yes. A VPN routes your traffic through a remote server, so websites see the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours. Checking this page with your VPN on and off is the fastest way to confirm the VPN is actually working and which region it exits from.

Why is my IP location wrong?

IP geolocation maps your address to your ISP’s registered service area, not your physical position. Databases often show the nearest major city, a regional hub, or your ISP’s headquarters. Mobile connections and VPNs make this even less precise. A mismatch of one city is normal.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses written as four numbers, like 203.0.113.42, and the supply has run out. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal, like 2001:db8::1, providing a vastly larger pool. Many connections today run both at once, which is called dual-stack.

Is my IP address the same on every device?

Every device behind the same router shares one public IPv4 address when talking to the internet. Inside your network, each device has its own private IP, such as 192.168.1.20. With IPv6, individual devices often receive their own globally routable addresses instead of sharing one.

Related tools and resources

Once you know your public IP, use our other free networking tools to dig deeper. Run a Reverse DNS Lookup to find the hostname associated with any IP, check DNS records for a domain, or convert your address with the IP Binary Converter. You may also find our guides on IP address formats and IPv4 vs. IPv6 helpful for understanding the broader addressing landscape.