Your Mac can have several IP addresses at the same time. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, a VPN, virtual machines, IPv4, and IPv6 can each add their own value. The correct address depends on whether you are connecting from another device on the same network or checking what websites see online.

This guide explains how to find your IP address on a Mac using System Settings, the Wi-Fi menu, Terminal, System Information, and an online lookup. It also explains public versus private addresses, router fields, IPv6, and common connection problems.

Quick Answer: Find Your Mac IP in System Settings

  1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Select Network in the sidebar.
  3. Choose the connected Wi-Fi or Ethernet service.
  4. Select Details.
  5. Open TCP/IP to review the IPv4 address, IPv6 configuration, router, and subnet information.

Apple's current TCP/IP settings guide uses this System Settings path. Labels can vary slightly by macOS release and selected service, but Network and TCP/IP are the important destinations.

Method 1: Use System Settings for Wi-Fi

Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network, select Wi-Fi, and open the connected network's details. The Wi-Fi details can show the current IP address and router address. Select TCP/IP when you need expanded IPv4 and IPv6 configuration.

Check these fields carefully:

  • IP address: The local address assigned to this Wi-Fi connection.
  • Router: The gateway used to reach other networks, not the Mac's address.
  • Subnet mask: The boundary of the local IPv4 network.
  • Configure IPv4: Shows whether DHCP or manual configuration is used.
  • IPv6 address and prefix: IPv6 configuration when available.
  • Wi-Fi address: A MAC hardware identifier, not an IP address.

The Apple Wi-Fi settings guide confirms that the network Details page includes the IP and router addresses. This makes Settings the safest method for beginners.

Method 2: Find the Ethernet IP Address

Open System Settings, select Network, and choose the connected Ethernet service. A USB-C or Thunderbolt network adapter may appear under the manufacturer or adapter name instead of simply Ethernet. Select Details and then TCP/IP to inspect the assigned address.

A Mac can keep Wi-Fi active while Ethernet is connected. Both services may have valid addresses, so choose the interface involved in your task. If you are configuring a wired printer or local server, use the address shown for the Ethernet path that reaches it.

Method 3: Use the Wi-Fi Menu

On many macOS versions, holding the Option key while selecting the Wi-Fi icon reveals technical connection information. Depending on the release, this menu can show the IP address, router, channel, signal strength, and other wireless details.

Use this method as a quick check, but use System Settings when you need a stable, clearly labelled view. Menu contents may differ between macOS releases, and a hidden Wi-Fi icon must first be enabled in Control Centre settings.

Method 4: Find Your Mac IP with Terminal

Open Terminal from Applications, Utilities, or Spotlight. For a concise IPv4 result on the common Wi-Fi interface, run:

ipconfig getifaddr en0

Some Macs use a different interface name, particularly for Ethernet adapters or unusual hardware arrangements. To inspect available interfaces and their addresses, run:

ifconfig

Look for an active interface and an inet IPv4 line or inet6 IPv6 line. Ignore 127.0.0.1 under the loopback interface when another device needs to reach the Mac. Also distinguish a link-local IPv6 value from a globally routed value.

Useful Terminal Examples

  • ipconfig getifaddr en0 commonly returns the Wi-Fi IPv4 address.
  • ipconfig getifaddr en1 checks another possible interface.
  • networksetup -listallhardwareports maps hardware ports to interface names.
  • ifconfig en0 shows expanded details for one interface.
  • route -n get default can help identify the interface used for the default route.

Interface numbering is not guaranteed to match every example. First map the hardware port when accuracy matters, then query that exact interface.

Method 5: Use System Information

Hold Option and choose the Apple menu, then open System Information. You can also open System Settings, select General, choose About, and open System Report. The Network sections contain detailed information about services and addresses.

Apple explains that System Information includes active network services, IP addresses, and connection types. This method is useful for diagnostics, but it provides more detail than most people need for a quick lookup.

Method 6: Find Your Public IP Address

System Settings and Terminal commonly show a private address assigned inside your home, office, or hotspot network. To see the public address visible to internet services, open the ipdnslookup IP Lookup.

Your Mac and phone may show the same public IPv4 address when both use the same router because Network Address Translation lets devices share it. A VPN, proxy, iCloud Private Relay in supported traffic, or provider network design can cause different services to observe different addresses or routes.

Private IP Versus Public IP on a Mac

  • Private IP: Used inside the current local network and normally shown in Network settings.
  • Public IP: Used when traffic reaches the wider internet and normally found with an online lookup.
  • Router address: The local gateway that forwards traffic outside the subnet.
  • Loopback address: 127.0.0.1 or ::1, which refers only to the Mac itself.
  • Link-local address: A value valid only on the local link, not a normal public destination.

Common private IPv4 ranges begin with 10., 172.16 through 172.31, or 192.168. See the public versus private IP guide for the full ranges and examples.

How to Select the Correct Mac Network Service

Use the connection that carries traffic for the task:

  • Select Wi-Fi when the Mac is connected wirelessly.
  • Select Ethernet or the USB network adapter when using a cable.
  • Select a VPN interface only when testing the VPN tunnel.
  • Ignore inactive services and interfaces with no relevant address.
  • Ignore bridge and virtual-machine interfaces unless your task involves them.
  • Use the interface tied to the default route when checking the ordinary internet connection.

Service order can influence which connection macOS prefers. If Wi-Fi and Ethernet are active together, do not assume the first address listed is the one your application uses.

Understanding IPv4 and IPv6 on macOS

An IPv4 address contains four decimal octets, such as 192.168.1.42. An IPv6 address uses hexadecimal groups, such as 2001:db8::42. Both may be assigned at once.

A Mac can display multiple IPv6 values. A link-local address commonly begins with fe80: and may include an interface zone. A global IPv6 address may be reachable beyond the local link when routing and firewall rules allow it. Privacy addresses can change over time to reduce long-term tracking.

Copy the complete address required by the destination. When an IPv6 address is combined with a port in a URL-like format, it normally needs brackets, such as [2001:db8::42]:8080.

What a 169.254 Address Means on Mac

An IPv4 address beginning with 169.254 is self-assigned link-local addressing. It often appears when the Mac cannot obtain ordinary IPv4 configuration from DHCP. It can permit limited local-link communication but normally does not provide standard routed internet access.

  1. Confirm the Mac joined the intended Wi-Fi network or the Ethernet cable is connected.
  2. Check whether other devices receive valid addresses from the same router.
  3. Turn the affected network service off and on.
  4. In TCP/IP settings, renew the DHCP lease when DHCP is the correct configuration.
  5. Check router DHCP settings if you manage the network.

Common Mac IP Problems and Fixes

  • No IP appears: Confirm the service is active and connected.
  • Self-assigned IP: Troubleshoot DHCP communication and the physical connection.
  • Wrong interface: Map Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, and virtual interface names before copying.
  • Public IP differs: NAT, VPNs, proxies, Private Relay, or provider sharing may explain it.
  • Address changes: DHCP, switching networks, privacy features, and VPN connections can change values.
  • Duplicate-address warning: Review manual addresses and router DHCP reservations.
  • Local service is unreachable: Check service binding, macOS firewall rules, subnet, and port settings.

Do Not Confuse an IP Address with a MAC Address

The similar name causes frequent mistakes. An IP address identifies an interface within an IP network and may change between networks. A MAC address is a link-layer hardware identifier used on the local network. Apple may also use private Wi-Fi addresses to reduce tracking across wireless networks.

If a router reservation asks for a hardware address, use the relevant Wi-Fi or Ethernet MAC address. If an application asks where to connect on the network, it generally needs the IP address.

Check the Result Before Sharing It

  1. Decide whether you need a private or public address.
  2. Confirm the active network service.
  3. Choose IPv4 or IPv6 according to the task.
  4. Do not copy the router, DNS server, subnet mask, or MAC address by mistake.
  5. Consider whether a VPN or privacy relay changes the path being tested.

Network screenshots and Terminal output can expose Wi-Fi names, interface identifiers, DNS suffixes, public IPv6 addresses, and VPN information. Crop unrelated details before sharing a screenshot and send full diagnostics only to a trusted support person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to find my Mac IP address?

Open System Settings, select Network, choose the connected service, and review Details or TCP/IP.

What Terminal command shows the Mac Wi-Fi IP?

ipconfig getifaddr en0 commonly works, but first confirm the Wi-Fi interface name because it can differ.

Does ifconfig show the public IP?

It normally shows addresses assigned to local interfaces. Use an online lookup for the public address visible to websites.

Why does my Mac have more than one IP?

It may have several interfaces, both IPv4 and IPv6, a VPN, virtual networks, and multiple IPv6 address types.

Is the router address my Mac address?

No. The router field normally identifies the gateway. The Mac's IP appears in its own address field.

Can a Mac IP address change?

Yes. DHCP renewal, network changes, VPN use, and IPv6 privacy addressing can assign different values.

Do I need administrator access?

Viewing ordinary network information usually does not require it, although changing protected settings may require authentication.

Choose the Address That Matches Your Task

Use System Settings for the clearest local result, Terminal for quick and scriptable checks, and the IP Lookup page for the public address visible online. Always match the address to the active interface, IP version, and connection path.

Use the IP to Binary Calculator to inspect its bits, the IP to Integer Calculator for an exact numeric value, or the CIDR Notation Calculator for network boundaries. These ipdnslookup resources add useful context to the address found on your Mac.