What your IP address tells websites
Every time you open a web page, your device sends a request that includes your public IP address, so the server knows where to send the reply. From that address, a site can usually tell which internet provider you use and roughly which city or region you are in. It cannot see your name, your street address or what is on your computer.
Public vs private IP addresses
| Type | Example | Who sees it |
|---|
| Public IP | 203.0.113.7 | Every website and service you connect to |
| Private IP | 192.168.1.20 or 10.0.0.5 | Only devices on your own home or office network |
Your router hands out private addresses to each device and shares one public address for all of them. This page shows the public one. To find a device's private IP, look in its Wi-Fi or network settings.
When you might need your IP address
- Setting up remote desktop, a game server or a security camera.
- Asking your IT team or internet provider for help.
- Adding your connection to an allow list for a website or work system.
- Checking that a VPN is working: your IP and location should change when it is on.
Why your IP address can change
Most home connections use a dynamic IP that your provider can change from time to time, for example after a router restart. Businesses often pay for a static IP that never changes. Phones on mobile data may change IP as they move between towers.
Want to test how fast your connection is? Try the internet speed test or the ping test.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is the number that identifies your connection on the internet, a bit like a return address on an envelope. Websites see it so they know where to send the pages you ask for.
Is the IP shown here my computer's address?
It is your public IP address, the one the rest of the internet sees. At home it usually belongs to your router, so every device on your Wi-Fi shares it. Your computer also has a private address on your home network, such as 192.168.1.20, which websites never see.
Why does the location look wrong?
IP location is an estimate based on where your internet provider registered its address blocks. It is often accurate to the city or region, but it can point to a nearby city or to your provider's hub. If you use a VPN, it shows the VPN server's location instead.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 addresses look like 203.0.113.7 and there are only about 4.3 billion of them. IPv6 addresses are longer, like 2001:db8::1, and there are vastly more. Many connections support both, and your browser uses whichever works best.
Can someone find my home address from my IP?
Not from the IP alone. An IP address points to your internet provider and a rough area. Only your provider can link it to your account, and they normally share that only with a court order or legal request.
How do I change or hide my IP address?
Restarting your router sometimes gets you a new address from your provider. A VPN or the Tor browser hides your real IP from the sites you visit by routing traffic through another server. Mobile data and Wi-Fi also give you different IPs.