How to Find Your IP Address on Windows 10: Four Easy Methods

You can find an IP address on Windows 10 through Settings, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the ipdnslookup IP Lookup page. The correct method depends on whether you need the computer's private address inside your network or the public address visible to websites.

This guide gives clear steps for Wi-Fi and Ethernet, explains IPv4 and IPv6, and helps you choose the correct value when Windows displays several network adapters.

Quick Answer: Find Your IP Address on Windows 10

1. Open Start and select Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. Select the active connection or its Properties.
5. Scroll to the properties section.
6. Read IPv4 address or the required IPv6 address.

To find the public address visible online, open the IP Lookup tool. The address shown online can differ from the private address in Windows because a router, VPN, proxy, mobile provider, or business gateway may translate the connection.

Method 1: Find Your IP Address in Windows 10 Settings

For a Wi-Fi connection

1. Select the Start button.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Network & Internet.
4. Select Wi-Fi in the left menu.
5. Select the connected network or open its properties.
6. Scroll down and locate IPv4 address.

For an Ethernet connection

1. Open Settings and select Network & Internet.
2. Select Ethernet.
3. Select the connected Ethernet network.
4. Read the IPv4 and IPv6 values under Properties.

This method is useful when you want one active adapter and prefer not to use commands. Windows labels the address fields directly.

Method 2: Find Your IP with Command Prompt

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.
3. Run ipconfig.
4. Find the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
5. Read its IPv4 Address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

For more details, run ipconfig /all. It can show the physical address, DHCP status, DHCP server, DNS servers, lease times, and additional adapter information. Microsoft's official ipconfig documentation explains the supported command options.

Do not copy an address from a disconnected adapter, Bluetooth interface, virtual machine, container, or VPN unless that interface is part of your task.

Method 3: Find Your IP with PowerShell

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Open Windows PowerShell.
3. Run Get-NetIPAddress.
4. Review the InterfaceAlias and AddressFamily columns.
5. Choose the address belonging to the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet interface.

For a shorter IPv4-focused view, administrators often filter the results by address family. PowerShell is helpful when you need structured information for troubleshooting or automation, but Settings or ipconfig is easier for a quick check.

Method 4: Find Your Public IP Address

1. Open a browser on the Windows 10 computer.
2. Visit the ipdnslookup IP Lookup.
3. Read the main public address result.
4. Check whether it is IPv4 or IPv6.
5. Review approximate ISP and network details only when needed.

A public lookup reports the address visible to that website. A VPN usually shows its exit address. A business proxy or secure gateway may show a shared company address. Carrier-grade NAT can make several provider customers share one public IPv4 address.

Private IP Versus Public IP on Windows 10

• Private IP address: Assigned inside the home, office, or local network. Find it in Settings, ipconfig, or PowerShell.
• Public IP address: Visible to internet services. Find it with an online lookup or router/provider information.
• VPN address: Assigned to a virtual adapter or visible through a VPN exit, depending on where you check.
• Loopback address: 127.0.0.1 or ::1, referring only to the same computer.
• Link-local address: A limited local address that may appear when normal configuration is unavailable.

Read the public versus private IP guide for a complete comparison.

How to Choose the Correct Windows Adapter

Windows can display many interfaces. Look for the adapter currently carrying the connection:

• A Wi-Fi adapter normally shows the connected wireless network.
• An Ethernet adapter is relevant when a cable is connected.
• A VPN adapter matters only for traffic routed through that VPN.
• VirtualBox, Hyper-V, Docker, and other virtual adapters often serve isolated networks.
• Disconnected adapters can retain old or incomplete details.
• Loopback addresses never identify another device on the LAN.

The default gateway is a helpful clue. The active private IPv4 adapter commonly has an address and gateway in compatible local ranges.

Understanding the Windows 10 IP Fields

• IPv4 Address: The 32-bit address assigned to the adapter.
• IPv6 Address: One of potentially several IPv6 values on the interface.
• Subnet Mask: Defines the local IPv4 network boundary.
• Prefix Length: Slash-style form of the network size.
• Default Gateway: The router used for destinations outside the local subnet.
• DNS Servers: Services used to translate names into addresses.
• DHCP Enabled: Shows whether configuration is assigned automatically.
• Physical Address: The adapter's MAC address, not an IP address.

Why Windows Shows More Than One IPv6 Address

An interface can hold a link-local IPv6 address, one or more global addresses, and temporary privacy addresses. This is normal. Link-local addresses commonly begin with fe80: and work only on the local link.

A website may see a global temporary IPv6 address while Settings shows several choices. Use the address that matches the destination and task rather than assuming the first IPv6 entry is always correct.

What Does a 169.254 Address Mean?

An IPv4 address beginning with 169.254 is commonly an Automatic Private IP Addressing value. Windows can assign it when the adapter cannot receive ordinary IPv4 configuration from DHCP.

Check the Wi-Fi or cable connection, router, DHCP service, and adapter state. A 169.254 address can support limited communication on the local link, but it usually does not provide normal routed internet access.

How to Refresh an Automatically Assigned Address

First reconnect the affected Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. When command-line troubleshooting is appropriate, ipconfig /release releases eligible DHCP configuration and ipconfig /renew requests it again.

Do not use release and renew casually on a remote computer because the connection can be interrupted. Fix a duplicate manual address or broken DHCP design instead of repeatedly renewing leases.

Common Problems and Fixes

• No IPv4 address: Confirm the adapter is connected and DHCP is working.
• 169.254 address: Troubleshoot communication with the DHCP service.
• Wrong adapter: Ignore disconnected and unrelated virtual interfaces.
• Public address differs: NAT, VPNs, proxies, and provider sharing commonly cause this.
• Address changes: DHCP leases and network changes can assign another value.
• Duplicate warning: Check static assignments, reservations, and the DHCP pool.
• IPv6 works but IPv4 does not: Troubleshoot each protocol path separately.

How to Verify That You Found the Right Address

Finding a number is only the first step. Verify that it belongs to the adapter and connection you intend to use. In Settings, confirm that the Wi-Fi network name or Ethernet connection is active. In ipconfig, look for an adapter that shows an address, subnet information, and a default gateway. A disconnected adapter usually says that its media is disconnected and should not be used for the current connection.

1. Disconnect a VPN temporarily if you need the ordinary home or office network address.
2. Confirm whether the application asks for an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address, or either one.
3. Check that the address appears under the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
4. Do not copy the default gateway, DNS server, or physical address when an IP address is requested.
5. Test local reachability only when you control the destination and have permission to connect.

For example, suppose the active Wi-Fi adapter shows IPv4 address 192.168.1.42, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, and default gateway 192.168.1.1. The computer's local IPv4 address is 192.168.1.42. The 192.168.1.1 value normally belongs to the router, while the subnet mask describes which part of the address identifies the local network.

Keep IP Details Private When Sharing Screenshots

A private address is reusable inside many networks, but a screenshot can reveal more than that single value. Adapter names, Wi-Fi names, DNS suffixes, VPN details, public IPv6 addresses, and physical addresses may identify equipment or network configuration. Crop the image or hide unrelated fields before posting it publicly.

Share diagnostic output only with a trusted person who needs it. If support requires one value, copy that value instead of publishing the complete ipconfig /all response. This simple step keeps the troubleshooting information focused and reduces unnecessary exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What command shows my IP in Windows 10?

Run ipconfig for basic adapter details or ipconfig /all for expanded information.

Is the IPv4 address in ipconfig public?

On most home networks it is private. Use an online lookup for the public-facing value.

Why are there several IP addresses?

The computer may have multiple adapters, IPv4 and IPv6, VPNs, virtual interfaces, and temporary IPv6 addresses.

Is the default gateway my computer's IP?

No. It normally identifies the router used to reach other networks.

Can my Windows IP address change?

Yes. DHCP, reconnection, VPN use, and switching networks can change an address.

How do I copy an IPv6 address safely?

Copy the complete value for the correct active adapter. Some commands show a percent-based zone identifier for link-local use.

Does finding my IP require administrator access?

Viewing ordinary network properties and running ipconfig normally does not require elevation.

Choose the Address That Matches Your Task

Use Windows Settings or ipconfig for the private address assigned to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Use the IP Lookup page for the public address visible online. Confirm the adapter, IP version, and whether a VPN is active before copying the result.

Use the IP Block Size Calculator to inspect the containing CIDR or the Usable IP Range Calculator for subnet boundaries. These resources from ipdnslookup provide the network context behind the Windows value.