The Reality of IP Geolocation

When a website detects your location via your IP address, it's using databases that map IP ranges to geographic areas. These databases are maintained by companies like MaxMind and IP2Location, and they rely on data from ISPs, regional internet registries, and user reports.

Typical accuracy: IP geolocation is accurate to the city level about 50-80% of the time. It's accurate to the country level about 95-99% of the time. It is almost never accurate to a specific street address.

Why Accuracy Varies

ISP infrastructure: Your ISP assigns IP addresses from pools that may be registered to a central office in a different city. If your ISP's regional hub is in a neighboring city, your IP will show that city instead of yours.

Mobile connections: Cell towers route traffic through regional gateways, so your IP location might show a city 50-100 miles away — especially in rural areas.

VPNs and proxies: If you use a VPN, your IP will show the VPN server's location, not yours. This is by design — it's a privacy feature.

Corporate networks: Office internet often routes through a company headquarters or data center in a different city or state.

What IP Location Can and Can't Reveal

Can RevealCannot Reveal
Country (95-99% accurate)Your street address
State/Region (80-90% accurate)Your name or identity
City (50-80% accurate)Your exact GPS coordinates
Your ISP nameWhat you're doing online
Approximate timezoneOther devices on your network

My IP Shows the Wrong City — Is That Normal?

Yes, this is extremely common. Read our full explanation of why your IP might show the wrong city and what you can do about it.