What is my IP address? A simple guide
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a number that identifies a device on a network. Every website you visit sees your public IP address — you can see yours on the FernTool homepage.
Public vs private IP addresses
Your router has one public IP from your internet provider, shared by all devices at home. Inside the network, each device gets a private IP such as 192.168.1.10. Private ranges are 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12 and 192.168.0.0/16.
IPv4 vs IPv6
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (about 4.3 billion), written like 203.0.113.7. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, written like 2001:db8::1. Test your IPv6 support.
What can someone do with my IP?
They can estimate your city and see your ISP. They cannot see your files or exact address. Your ISP can link an IP to an account, usually only under a legal request.
How to find your IP address
- Browser: open www.ferntool.com.
- Terminal:
curl https://www.ferntool.com - Private IP on Windows:
ipconfig; macOS/Linux:ip addrorifconfig.
FAQ
Is my IP address private information?
Your public IP reveals your approximate location and ISP but not your name or street address. Your ISP can link it to your account.
Does my IP address change?
Most home connections have a dynamic IP that changes occasionally, for example when your router restarts. Static IPs are usually a paid add-on.
How can I hide my IP address?
Use a VPN, Tor or a proxy. Websites then see the VPN or proxy server’s IP instead of yours.