What Is My IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to your device on the internet. It's like a mailing address — it tells servers where to send data back to you. Your public IP is visible to every website you visit.

An IP address can reveal your approximate location — usually your city and ISP, but not your exact street address. IP geolocation databases are accurate to the city level in most cases. A VPN masks your real IP and shows a different location.

IPv4 addresses use 4 groups of numbers (like 192.168.1.1) and are limited to about 4.3 billion addresses. IPv6 uses a longer format (like 2001:0db8::1) and supports vastly more addresses. Most networks currently use IPv4, with IPv6 adoption growing.

Most home internet connections have a dynamic IP that changes periodically (often every few days or when your router restarts). Business connections often have a static IP that stays the same. Mobile connections change IP frequently as you move between cell towers.

You can hide your real IP using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which routes your traffic through a server in another location. The Tor browser also hides your IP by routing through multiple servers. Proxy servers provide a simpler but less secure option.