Your public IP and network details — instantly
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. Think of it as your device's mailing address on the web — it's how websites know where to send the data you request. Every time you visit a website, your IP address is shared with that site's server.
The IP address shown above is your public IP — the one your internet service provider (ISP) assigns to your router. This is the address the rest of the internet sees. Your devices at home also have private IP addresses (like 192.168.x.x) used for local network communication, but these aren't visible to external websites.
There are two versions of IP addresses in use today. IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.1 (four groups of numbers separated by dots). IPv6 addresses are longer and use hexadecimal characters, like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334. IPv6 was created because the world is running out of available IPv4 addresses.
Common reasons to check your IP address include verifying your VPN is working (your IP should show the VPN server's location, not yours), troubleshooting network issues, setting up remote access to your home network, configuring firewalls or security settings, and checking if your ISP has changed your IP address.
An IP address reveals your approximate location (usually city-level) and your ISP, but it doesn't reveal your exact address or personal identity. However, your ISP can link your IP to your account. Using a VPN masks your real IP address and replaces it with the VPN server's IP, adding a layer of privacy.