You might be thinking, how do I find my IPv4 address? To find your IPv4 address, go to network settings or use commands like ipconfig (Windows) and ifconfig (Mac/Linux). On smartphones, check Wi-Fi details. For public IP, search “what is my IP” in Google.
What Is an IPv4 Address?
An IPv4 address is like your device’s digital street address. It’s a 32-bit number (e.g., 192.168.1.1) that says other devices where to send information. Without it, your computer or phone couldn’t connect to the internet. If can buy IPv4 address following this guide.
IPv4 has been around since the early days of networking/ internet networking. Because it’s limited to about 4.3 billion unique IP’s or addresses, a newer version called IPv6 was created to handle the explosion of devices online. IPv6 uses longer addresses and it allows for nearly unlimited unique connections.
Your IPv4 address is the necessary ID that lets your device communicate to other devices on the internet or a home network.
Private vs Public IPv4 Address Explained
Not all IPv4 addresses are the equal. You actually find two different ones:
- Private IPv4 address → Used inside in your home or office network. An example of Private IPv4 address: 192.168.x.x. This IPv4 address only visible to your router and devices within the same network (Wi-Fi or LAN).
- Public IPv4 address → Public IPv4 asigned by an ISP (Internet Service Provider). This is what (Public IPv4 address) websites and online portals/ games see when a user connect.
For instance, when you play games or chat with friends online, they use your public IP to connect to you – not your private one. To see your public IP, you can visit a website like WhatIsMyIP.com or just type “what is my IP” on Google.
Your private IP aids your device connect locally. And your public IP represents your device on the wider internet.
How to Find Your IPv4 Address on Windows 11
If you’re on Windows 11, there are two simple ways:
Method 1: Find IPv4 Address with Command Prompt
- Press Windows Key + R, then type cmd, and then press Enter.
- In the black Command Prompt window, type: ipconfig
- Find out the line labeled IPv4 Address. That will be your device’s local IP.
Method 2: Find your IPv4 Address via Network Settings (GUI)
- Open Settings > Network & Internet from your device.
- Choose an active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Go to Properties and then find IPv4 .
Fastly you can find your IPv4 on Windows just by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt.
How to Find Your IPv4 Address on macOS
On a Mac PC, you can check IPv4 Address through system settings or Terminal:
Method 1: Find IPv4 Address in System Settings (Simple way)
- Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > Network.
- Choose an active Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
- Click Details → It will show the IPv4 address.
Method 2: Find IPv4 Address using Terminal Command
- Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
- Type: ifconfig
- Look for the word “inet” and some numbers like 192.168.1.5 — those numbers are your IPv4 address.
These are the simplest methods for MAC user to find IPv4 addresses.
Finding IPv4 on Android & iPhone
Finding an IP address on a phone or tablet is very quick and easy. Just follow the below steps.
For Android:
- Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap your connected network (WiFi) → choose Advanced or Network Details.
- You’ll see your IPv4 address listed under “IP Address.”
For iPhone:
- Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the ⓘ next to your connected network.
- Look under IP Address to see your IPv4.
Mobile users can instantly check IPv4 in Wi-Fi network settings without extra apps or commands.
How to Find Your IPv4 Address on a Router
A router shows all devices’ private IPs and often your public IP. To find it out:
- Start a browser and type the router’s gateway (e.g., 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) to go to login page.
- Log in with your admin login credentials.
- Check LAN Status, Device List, or WAN Status to see IPv4 addresses. In any of this you can find the IPv4 .
In router’s you can see all connected devices’ IPs and your public IPv4 in one place.
How to check IPv4 Address on Gaming & Remote Desktop
- Gaming: On game consoles like PlayStation or Xbox, your public IPv4 helps you play online with friends. Even you can set up port forwarding. Anyone can find it in console settings or in the WAN settings of the router.
- Remote Desktop: To check your IPv4 address on a Remote Desktop, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig.
Knowing both private and public IPv4 addresses is very important for gaming and remote access setups.
Online IPv4 Lookup & Tools
You can find your public IP fast online at below:
- Visit WhatIsMyIP.com.
- Search on Google “what is my IP” — your public IPv4 will appear at the top.
- There are some online tools, those also provide location, ISP, and network information.
Online IPv4 lookup tools allow fast see your public IP without going into your device settings.
FAQs
Q1: What is an IPv4 address?
An IPv4 is a meaningful numeric 32-bit number that helps devices find and communicate to each other on a network.
Q2: How is IPv4 different from IPv6?
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit. An IPv6 address allow multiple devices to connect globally.
Q3: How do I find my private vs public IP?
Private IP is visible in network settings of a device; and Public IP can be seen by websites and online services. You can find your private IP in network settings of your device’s. Also, you can find public IP by searching “What’s my IP Address” on Google. Many website provides this information on SERP for free.
Q4: Do I need IPv4 for gaming?
Yes, if you want to play a game on LAN. IPv4 is still generally used for most games, especially for local area network and port forwarding setups.
Q5: Can two devices have the same IP?
No. Every device can have a unique IP. Same private IPs can repeat on different networks, but each device on the same network must have a unique IP. If someone forcefully want to use same IP in 2 devices, it will make IP conflict.
Conclusion
Finding your IPv4 address is very simple across different devices such as Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, routers, and gaming consoles. Knowing your private and public IPs may help fix network problems easily, play games online, access multiple computers remotely, and manage your network.
Save it or share it who need to find IPv4 address on any device fast.