An IP address is the unique identifier of your device on the internet. Thanks to it, servers and websites know where to send data. In this article we explain what an IP address is, what its types are and how to easily check your IP address.
Check your IP address
You can quickly check your IP address and location using our tools: Check IP or Geo IP lookup.
What is an IP address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is a number that identifies a device on a network. It can be compared to a postal address — it enables data to be delivered to the correct computer or server. Every device connected to the internet — computer, phone, router or server — has its own IP address.
~4,3 mld
IPv4 addresses
340 undecylionów
IPv6 addresses
32 bity
IPv4 length
128 bitów
IPv6 length
IPv4 vs IPv6
There are two main versions of IP addresses. IPv4 is the older standard that is slowly exhausting the available pool of addresses. IPv6 was created as its successor with a virtually unlimited number of unique addresses.
192.168.1.1
- 32-bit address (4 octets)
- Approx. 4.3 billion unique addresses
- Decimal notation separated by dots
- Address pool nearly exhausted
2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334
- 128-bit address (8 groups of 16 bits)
- 340 undecillion unique addresses
- Hexadecimal notation separated by colons
- Successor to IPv4, supports IoT and 5G
Public and private IP address
IP addresses are divided into public and private. This distinction is crucial for network security and architecture.
Public IP address
An address visible on the internet, assigned by the internet service provider (ISP). It is globally unique. Used when you communicate with servers outside your local network.
e.g. 85.221.14.33
Private IP address
An address used in the local network (LAN) — e.g. at home or in the office. It is not visible on the internet. The router translates it into a public IP using the NAT mechanism.
e.g. 192.168.1.105
Static vs dynamic IP address
A dynamic IP changes with each internet connection — most home users have exactly this type. A static IP remains constant and is used among others by servers and companies.
Does an IP address reveal your location?
An IP address can indicate an approximate location — usually a country or city — but not an exact home address. IP geolocation can be inaccurate, especially when using a VPN or mobile networks.
Private IP address ranges
The RFC 1918 standard defines three ranges of addresses reserved for use in private networks.
| Range | Typical use | Number of addresses |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 | Large corporate networks | 16 777 216 |
| 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 | Medium-sized networks | 1 048 576 |
| 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 | Home networks and small offices | 65 536 |
How to check your IP address?
There are several ways to check an IP address — both online and from the operating system level. Remember that an IP can be public or private.
1 Online tool
The fastest way — the site will automatically detect your public IP.
2 Windows — command prompt - recommended for advanced users
ipconfig
3 Linux / macOS — terminal
ip addr show # or curl ifconfig.me
FAQ
Yes. Most home users have a dynamic IP address, which can change after reconnecting to the internet or restarting the router. A static IP address does not change — it is usually held by servers and companies.
Yes. You can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a proxy server to hide your real IP address. A VPN routes traffic through an intermediary server, so websites see the VPN server's IP address, not yours.
IPv4 is an older standard using 32-bit addresses — about 4.3 billion combinations are available. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, providing a virtually unlimited pool. The transition to IPv6 has been underway since the 1990s and is slowly becoming the standard.
No. An IP address usually allows you to determine a country, region or city, but not an exact address. IP geolocation is inherently inaccurate and may indicate the location of the internet provider's headquarters, not your home.
NAT (Network Address Translation) is a mechanism by which a router translates the private IP addresses of devices in the local network into one public IP address. This allows multiple devices to share a single internet connection.