Networking

Find Your IP Address (ipconfig / ifconfig)

A detailed guide to finding your local IP address on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

What is an IP Address?

One of the most fundamental tasks is finding your own device's IP address on the network. This is essential for configuring services or troubleshooting. Your IP address identifies your device on the local network and is required for tasks like file sharing, remote desktop, or setting up a server.

There are two main types of IP addresses you might see:

IPv4: The most common format, looks like 192.168.1.10.
IPv6: A newer format, looks like fe80::1c2d:3eff:fe4b:5a6b.

Commands to Find Your IP Address

To find your IP address, use the following commands in your terminal or command prompt:

Operating System	Command
Windows	`ipconfig`
macOS / Linux	`ifconfig` or `ip addr`

How to Read the Output

Look for entries labeled IPv4 Address or inet (for IPv4) and inet6 (for IPv6).
On Windows, your local IP will usually be under the Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter section.
On macOS/Linux, check the output for your active network interface (often en0, wlan0, or eth0).

Example Output

Windows:
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.10

Linux/macOS:
   inet 192.168.1.10  netmask 255.255.255.0  broadcast 192.168.1.255

Knowing your IP address helps you connect devices, troubleshoot connectivity, and understand your network setup.