What is my IP?

What is my IP? shows your public IP address — the one you present to the internet — along with the protocol version (IPv4/IPv6) and basic browser details. The address is read server-side, so what you see here is exactly what every website you visit sees.

What is an IP address, and which one are you looking at?

An IP address (Internet Protocol) is the number that identifies a device on a network — without it, data packets wouldn’t know where to return. In practice, though, you have at least two addresses at once. On your home network, the router hands devices private addresses (usually via DHCP, from ranges like 192.168.x.x), and only at the edge of the internet — thanks to NAT — does all your traffic leave under a single public address, assigned by your internet service provider.

That distinction explains the most common surprise: the address shown here differs from the one in your Wi-Fi or Ethernet settings. There you’re looking at your private address on the local network; this tool shows your public address — the only one websites and online services recognise you by.

How to use the tool

There’s nothing to type — your IP address appears the moment the page loads, and you can copy it with a single click of the ‘Copy’ button. Below it you’ll find tiles with additional details:

• Version — IPv4 or IPv6, depending on which protocol your browser used to connect.
• Browser and platform — the browser name and version plus the operating system, as reported by the browser itself.
• Language — the language preferences sent with every HTTP request.
• Screen — resolution and scaling.
• Time zone and cookies — the time zone set in your system, and whether the browser accepts cookies.

Together, these tiles are a preview of what every website knows about you from the very first second — before you’ve clicked anything at all.

IPv4 or IPv6 — why the difference?

The IPv4 address pool (four numbers 0–255, e.g. 203.0.113.10) was formally exhausted back in 2019 — hence ubiquitous NAT and addresses shared between many of an ISP’s customers. Its successor, IPv6, writes addresses in hexadecimal (e.g. 2001:db8::1) and offers a pool so vast that every device can have its own globally unique address.

Both protocols run side by side today. If your ISP has rolled out IPv6, your browser will usually prefer it — and this tool will show an IPv6 address. That’s not an error; your IPv4 address still exists and is used when connecting to older services.

What can be read from an IP address?

A public IP address reveals, above all, your internet provider and your approximate geographic location — usually down to the city or region, not the street. Websites use this to pick a language, currency or regional content, and security systems use it to judge whether a login from a given address looks legitimate.

It’s also worth knowing that most home connections use a dynamic address — assigned from the ISP’s pool and changing from time to time. A static address, permanently assigned, is usually a paid extra used for things like hosting servers or remote access. If you’re on a VPN, the tool shows the VPN server’s address rather than your own line — the simplest way to confirm the tunnel is actually working. In corporate networks the same knowledge works in reverse: traffic monitoring systems such as Sycope continuously track which addresses, and from which locations, are connecting to the infrastructure, flagging connections that deviate from the norm.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why do I see a different address here than in my computer’s settings?

Your system settings show the private address on your local network (LAN), assigned by the router. Here you see the public address that your router — courtesy of NAT — uses to represent your whole network on the internet.

Can someone find out where I live from my IP address?

Only roughly. Geolocation databases typically point to a city and an internet service provider. Your exact address is known only to your ISP — and is disclosed only on request from authorised authorities.

What’s the difference between a dynamic and a static address?

A dynamic address is assigned from the ISP’s pool and can change, for instance after a router restart. A static one stays fixed — useful for servers, CCTV and remote access, but usually costs extra.

Why does my IP point to a different city than the one I’m in?

The address belongs to your ISP’s infrastructure, which is often centralised — traffic may exit to the internet in another city. With mobile connections and CGNAT this is everyday reality, and with a VPN the location matches the VPN server.

Can two devices share the same public address?

Yes — on a home network it’s the norm. NAT means your computer, phone and TV all reach the internet under one public address. ISPs also use CGNAT, where a single address is shared by many customers.

How can I hide my IP address?

The most popular option is a VPN — websites then see the address of the intermediary server. Alternatives include the Tor network or a proxy server. Bear in mind that the VPN operator still sees your real address, so choosing a trustworthy provider is key.