What Is My IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. It serves two purposes: identifying your device on the network and providing your approximate geographic location. There are two versions: IPv4 (like 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334).

Yes. Your public IP address is visible to every website and service you connect to. It is how the internet routes data back to your device. Your ISP assigns this address to your connection. If you want to hide your public IP, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to mask it.

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (about 4.3 billion possible addresses) in a dotted decimal format like 192.168.1.1. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (virtually unlimited) in a hexadecimal format like 2001:db8::1. IPv6 was created because the world ran out of IPv4 addresses. Most modern networks support both.

No. An IP address typically reveals your city or metro area and your ISP, but not your exact street address or home location. IP geolocation is approximate, often accurate to the city level but sometimes only to the region or country. Only your ISP can link your IP to your exact address, and they are legally required to protect that information.

An ASN (Autonomous System Number) is a unique identifier assigned to a network operator like an ISP, cloud provider, or large organization. For example, Comcast is AS7922 and Google is AS15169. ASNs are used in BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) routing to direct internet traffic between networks.

Most residential ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that can change periodically, typically when your router restarts or your DHCP lease expires. This is normal. If you need a fixed IP, you can request a static IP from your ISP (usually for an additional fee). Business plans often include static IPs by default.