What Is Your Local IP Address? How to Find It on Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone

Your local IP address is one of those small technical details that becomes surprisingly useful when you need it. Whether you are setting up a printer, troubleshooting Wi Fi, hosting a game server, connecting to a smart home device, or accessing another computer on your home network, knowing where to find your local IP address can save time and frustration.

TLDR: Your local IP address is the private address your router assigns to your device inside your home, office, or school network. It usually looks like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x. You can find it in network settings on Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone. It is different from your public IP address, which is the address websites and online services see.

What Is a Local IP Address?

A local IP address, also called a private IP address, is the address assigned to your device within a local network. Think of your router as the front desk of a building. The building has one public street address, but every apartment, office, or room inside has its own internal number. Your local IP address is that internal number.

For example, your laptop might have the local IP address 192.168.1.24, while your phone might be 192.168.1.35. Both devices are connected to the same router, but the router needs a way to tell them apart. That is what local IP addresses do.

Local IP addresses are commonly used for:

• Connecting to network printers or scanners
• Sharing files between computers on the same network
• Accessing router settings or smart home hubs
• Setting up remote desktop connections inside a network
• Hosting local game servers or development environments
• Troubleshooting connection issues

Most local IP addresses are assigned automatically by your router using a system called DHCP, which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. In simple terms, your router hands out addresses to devices as they join the network.

Local IP Address vs Public IP Address

It is easy to confuse a local IP address with a public IP address, but they are not the same thing.

Your public IP address is the address assigned to your network by your internet service provider. This is what websites, apps, and online services see when you connect to them. Your local IP address, on the other hand, only works inside your local network.

Here is a quick comparison:

• Local IP address: Used inside your home or office network
• Public IP address: Used on the wider internet
• Local example: 192.168.0.15
• Public example: A unique address assigned by your internet provider
• Who assigns it: Your router assigns local IPs; your ISP assigns your public IP

This distinction matters because sharing your local IP with someone outside your network usually will not help them connect to your device. A local IP is only meaningful to devices connected to the same router or local network.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on Windows

Windows gives you a few ways to find your local IP address, but the quickest methods are through Settings or Command Prompt.

Method 1: Using Settings

1. Click the Start button.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Network & Internet.
4. Choose Wi Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
5. Click your connected network.
6. Scroll down and look for IPv4 address.

The number next to IPv4 address is your local IP address. It often starts with 192.168 or 10.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig and press Enter.
4. Look for your active adapter, such as Wireless LAN adapter Wi Fi or Ethernet adapter.
5. Find the line labeled IPv4 Address.

This method is popular because it is fast, especially if you are troubleshooting or helping someone remotely.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on macOS

On a Mac, your local IP address is easy to find in System Settings. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your version of macOS, but the process is similar.

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner.
2. Select System Settings or System Preferences.
3. Click Network.
4. Select your active connection, such as Wi Fi or Ethernet.
5. Look for your IP address in the connection details.

On newer macOS versions, you may need to click Details next to your active network. Your local address will usually appear under TCP/IP or in the main connection summary.

You can also use Terminal if you prefer a more direct route. Open Terminal and type:

ipconfig getifaddr en0

On many Macs, this shows the Wi Fi IP address. If you are using Ethernet, the interface may be different, such as en1. For most users, however, the Network settings screen is the simplest option.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on Android

Android devices vary because manufacturers customize menus, but the general steps are usually close to the same. Your local IP address is found in your Wi Fi network details.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Network & Internet, Connections, or a similar option.
3. Tap Wi Fi.
4. Select the network you are currently connected to.
5. Look for IP address, Network details, or Advanced.

On some Android phones, you may need to tap a small gear icon next to the Wi Fi network name. Then open Advanced to see the IP address. It should appear as an IPv4 address, such as 192.168.1.42.

If you see both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address, the IPv4 address is usually the one people mean when they ask for your local IP address. IPv6 addresses are longer and may look more complicated, but they serve a similar addressing purpose.

How to Find Your Local IP Address on iPhone

Finding your local IP address on an iPhone is straightforward and takes only a few taps.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Wi Fi.
3. Find your connected network and tap the information icon next to it.
4. Scroll until you see IP Address.

The address listed there is your iPhone’s local IP address on the current Wi Fi network. If you switch to a different network, such as a café, hotel, or office Wi Fi, your local IP address will likely change.

Why Your Local IP Address Might Change

Your local IP address is often temporary. Since routers commonly use DHCP, they may assign a different address when your device reconnects, when the router restarts, or when the network lease expires.

If you need your device to keep the same local IP address, you have two common options:

• Reserve an IP address in your router: This tells the router to always give the same address to a specific device.
• Set a static IP address on the device: This manually configures the address, though it must be done carefully to avoid conflicts.

For most people, a router reservation is safer and easier. It is especially useful for printers, media servers, security cameras, and desktop computers that other devices need to find regularly.

Final Thoughts

Your local IP address may look like a random string of numbers, but it plays an important role in keeping your devices connected and organized. Once you know where to find it, tasks like troubleshooting Wi Fi, configuring printers, and connecting to local services become much easier.

The key thing to remember is simple: your local IP address identifies your device inside your network, while your public IP address identifies your network on the internet. Knowing the difference helps you understand what information you need, where to find it, and when to use it.