What Is My Ip

What is a public IP address?

Your public IP address is the number the internet sees when your device goes online. It is assigned by your internet provider (or by a VPN if you use one) and websites use it to route data back to you. On home networks, your router typically shares one public IP for all devices in the house.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses like 203.0.113.45 and is limited to about 4.3 billion unique addresses. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses like 2606:4700:4700::1111 and provides an enormous address space. Many networks are dual-stack, supporting both versions.

Why do I sometimes see only IPv4 or only IPv6?

Some providers or routers do not enable IPv6. Some mobile carriers prefer IPv6 and translate to IPv4 for older sites. If only one version appears, that’s normal—your network chooses what works best.

What’s the difference between public and private (local) IPs?

Public IPs are routable on the internet. Private IPs (such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16–31.x.x) exist only inside your local network. Your router uses NAT (Network Address Translation) to share one public IP for many devices.

What does NAT mean and why does it matter?

NAT lets many devices share one public IP and helps conserve address space. It also hides internal devices from the internet. Hosting something from home may require port forwarding or a VPN.

Why does my IP keep changing?

Most residential connections use dynamic IPs that can change after a modem reboot, lease renewal, or provider maintenance. If you need a stable address, ask your ISP for a static IP plan.

How accurate is IP geolocation?

IP-based location is an estimate. Country is usually correct; region or city is approximate. The location reflects the network’s exit point (ISP hub, VPN server, corporate gateway), not your exact GPS or street address.

Why do my results show a nearby or the “wrong” city?

Traffic often exits through an ISP’s hub or data center. If you use a VPN, you’ll appear in the VPN server’s city. Corporate and university networks may route through a central location.

What are ISP and ASN?

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is the company that gives you internet access. An ASN (Autonomous System Number) is the unique ID for a network on the internet, for example AS15169 for Google.

Do VPNs hide my IP address?

Yes. With a VPN, websites see the VPN server’s IP and location instead of yours, and your traffic is encrypted between you and the VPN provider. Sites can still recognize you by cookies or account logins.

What’s the difference between a VPN, a proxy, and Tor?

A VPN encrypts and tunnels your traffic via a provider; a proxy forwards specific app traffic and may not encrypt; Tor routes through multiple relays for privacy but can be slower. All change the visible public IP, with different trade-offs.

Why do some IPv6 addresses start with ::ffff:?

Those are IPv4-mapped IPv6 addresses (for example ::ffff:203.0.113.10), a compatibility format. It simply wraps an IPv4 address in IPv6 notation.

What is reverse DNS and what can it reveal?

Reverse DNS maps an IP back to a hostname (for example 203-0-113-45.example-isp.net). It can hint at your ISP or hosting provider and sometimes the general region. It doesn’t reveal your personal identity.

Can websites track me by IP address?

They can associate visits from the same IP, but IP alone rarely identifies a person—especially on shared networks. Most recognition comes from cookies, account logins, and browser/device signals.

How do I find my local (private) IP on my device?

Windows: open Command Prompt and run ipconfig. macOS: System Settings → Network. iPhone/iPad: Settings → Wi-Fi → the “i” next to your network. Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → your network.

How do I get a static IP address?

Contact your ISP about a static IP plan. Alternatives include using a VPN with a dedicated IP or hosting your service in the cloud and connecting to it securely.

What is CGNAT and why can’t I host services from home?

Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) puts many customers behind a shared public IP, which blocks inbound connections. Options include requesting a non-CGNAT plan, using a VPN with a dedicated IP, or hosting in the cloud.

Why does IPv6 show a dash (—)?

Your ISP or router may not support IPv6, or your device prefers IPv4. That’s common and most of the web still works over IPv4.

Will using a mobile hotspot change my IP?

Yes. Mobile networks have their own IP pools and often use CGNAT. Tethering typically switches your public IP to your carrier’s network, which can change geolocation and ISP/ASN.

Does clearing cookies change my IP address?

No. Cookies are stored in your browser; your IP is assigned by the network. Rebooting your modem or reconnecting can change a dynamic IP; a VPN presents a different IP to websites.

What is WebRTC and can it leak my IP?

WebRTC enables real-time browser communication. Some setups can reveal additional IP info. Many browsers and VPNs reduce these leaks; you can also disable WebRTC or use extensions if needed.

Is an IP address the same as a MAC address?

No. An IP address identifies a device on a network and can change; a MAC address is a hardware identifier that usually stays within your local network.

Can two people share the same public IP?

Yes. Many users can share one public IP behind NAT (homes, schools, offices) or at a VPN endpoint. That’s why IP alone isn’t a reliable identity signal.

How can I change my IP address?

Reconnect your modem/router, switch networks (Wi-Fi vs mobile), or use a VPN. Changing IP can affect services that watch for unusual logins or locations.

Does this site log my IP?

No. We show your information in your browser and set our API to no-store. We avoid enabling infrastructure logs for this tool.