What is an IP address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network. It serves two purposes: identifying the device and providing a routing address so packets know where to go. When you visit a website, the server sees your public IP address — not your device directly, but the address your ISP or router presents to the internet.
What is my public IP address?
Your public IP address is the address that the internet sees when your device makes a request. It is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is shared across all devices on your home or office network — every device behind the same router appears to the outside world as a single IP. The address shown at the top of this page is your current public IP.
Public vs. private IP addresses
Your router has a public IP assigned by your ISP. Devices inside your home network use private addresses in reserved ranges: 10.x.x.x, 172.16–31.x.x, or 192.168.x.x. These private addresses are not routable on the internet. Network Address Translation (NAT) maps them to your single public IP for outbound connections. To find your private (local) IP: on Windows run ipconfig, on macOS/Linux run ifconfig or check System Settings → Network.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers written as four decimal octets — for example 93.184.216.34. The IPv4 address space (~4.3 billion addresses) was largely exhausted by 2011. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses in hexadecimal — for example 2001:0db8::8a2e:0370:7334 — providing a practically unlimited address space. Most connections today use IPv4 with NAT, but IPv6 adoption is growing. If the IP shown above contains a colon, you are connecting via IPv6.
What does my IP address location show?
The country and city shown on this page come from GeoIP data — a database that maps IP address ranges to approximate geographic locations. This is not GPS-accurate; it reflects the location registered to the IP block by your ISP, which is often a city-level estimate. The "Colo" field shows which Cloudflare data centre handled your request, which is typically the nearest one to you.
IP address and VPNs
When you connect through a VPN (Virtual Private Network), your traffic is routed through the VPN provider's servers. The IP address shown on this page will be the VPN server's IP, not your real one — and the location will reflect the VPN server's location. This is how VPNs allow access to geo-restricted content and add a privacy layer by hiding your real IP from websites you visit.
Why does my IP address change?
Most residential ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that change periodically — sometimes after each router restart, sometimes on a schedule. Business accounts and cloud servers typically have static IPs that stay fixed. If you need a fixed public IP, contact your ISP or use a cloud server or VPN service that provides dedicated static IPs.
What is a capture link?
A capture link is a URL you send to someone. When they open it, their IP address, country, city, and browser details are recorded in your account. Create one below and share it by email, Slack, or SMS — you'll see the recipient's IP in your dashboard when they open it.
When to use capture links
- Client onboarding — verify a remote contractor is connecting from an approved country before granting system access.
- Support evidence — capture the IP a user was on when a problem occurred, without asking them to dig through settings.
- Fraud investigation — confirm whether two accounts share an IP address or originate from expected locations.
- Geographic verification — ensure a service is being accessed from the expected country.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my IP address?
The fastest way is to look at the top of this page — your public IP is shown immediately. To find it in other ways: search "what is my ip" on Google (they show it directly), or in a terminal type curl ifconfig.me. For your private (local) IP: on Windows run ipconfig in Command Prompt; on macOS run ifconfig | grep inet or go to System Settings → Network; on Linux run ip a.
What is my IPv4 address?
IPv4 addresses are the traditional format — four numbers separated by dots, like 93.184.216.34. If the IP shown at the top of this page is in that format, you are connecting via IPv4. If it contains colons, you are on IPv6. Most home connections still use IPv4 for the public-facing address, even if the internal network supports IPv6.
Why does my IP show a location I'm not in?
GeoIP databases map IP ranges to locations based on registration data, which often lags behind actual usage. Your ISP may be headquartered in a different city than you. If you are using a VPN, the location shown is the VPN server's location, not yours. Mobile connections often show the location of the carrier's regional gateway rather than your exact city.
What does my IP address reveal?
Your public IP reveals: the approximate city and country you are connecting from (via GeoIP), your ISP or hosting provider name, and whether you are using a known VPN, proxy, or Tor exit node. It does not reveal your name, home address, or exact location — that information requires legal action against your ISP. Websites can log your IP alongside any actions you take on them.