How to find your IP address in Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt on your Windows computer and type ipconfig, then press Enter. The tool displays your local IP address — the one your router assigned to your device — under "IPv4 Address". This is the address other devices on your home network use to reach your computer. You will see it listed as a four-part number like 192.168.1.5.

Command Prompt is the text-based tool built into Windows that lets you run system commands directly. It is faster than clicking through menus when you need network information quickly. The ipconfig command works on every Windows version and shows your address in seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Type ipconfig in Command Prompt to see your local IP address under "IPv4 Address".
  • Your local IP address (like 192.168.1.5) is what devices on your home network use to find your computer.
  • Type ipconfig /all to see additional details including your MAC address and DNS servers.
  • Your public IP address — the one the internet sees — does not appear in ipconfig; you need a different method to find it.

Opening Command Prompt on Windows

Press the Windows key and type cmd, then press Enter. Command Prompt opens as a black window with a text cursor. You can also right-click the Windows Start button and select "Command Prompt" or "Windows PowerShell" from the menu.

If you use Windows 11, you may see "Terminal" instead of "Command Prompt" — both work the same way for the ipconfig command. Type the command exactly as shown, with no extra spaces or capital letters, then press Enter to run it.

Reading the ipconfig output

When you run ipconfig, the output shows one section for each network connection on your computer. Most home computers have one or two: Ethernet (wired) and Wi-Fi (wireless). Look for the section labeled with your active connection type.

Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address" — this is your local IP address on your home network. It usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0. The "Subnet Mask" line below it (usually 255.255.255.0) defines which other addresses are on the same network as you. The "Default Gateway" line shows your router's address, which is typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

Getting more details with ipconfig /all

Type ipconfig /all instead of just ipconfig to see extended information about your network setup. This command shows your MAC address (a unique identifier for your network card), your DNS servers (the computers that translate website names into IP addresses), and your DHCP server (the device that assigned your IP address, usually your router).

The MAC address appears as six pairs of letters and numbers separated by hyphens, like 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E. Some routers let you filter network access by MAC address, so knowing yours is useful if you need to troubleshoot connection problems or set up device restrictions.

Finding your public IP address instead

The ipconfig command shows only your local IP address — the one your router assigned to your computer. Your public IP address — the one the internet sees when you visit websites — is different and does not appear in Command Prompt.

To find your public IP address, open a web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. These sites display the address your internet service provider assigned to your home network. Your public IP address changes periodically unless you pay for a static IP, while your local address usually stays the same as long as your computer is on the same network.

Troubleshooting if ipconfig does not work

If you type ipconfig and see an error message, make sure you spelled the command correctly with no extra spaces. Command Prompt is sensitive to exact spelling. If the command still does not work, your Windows installation may be corrupted, though this is rare.

If ipconfig runs but shows "No IP Address" or "Disconnected" under your network adapter, your computer is not connected to the network. Check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in or that you are connected to your Wi-Fi network. Restart your router and computer, then run ipconfig again.

When you need this information

You need your local IP address when you want to access your router's settings, set up a printer on your network, or troubleshoot why a device cannot reach your computer. You need your MAC address when your router requires you to register devices before they can connect. You need your DNS server addresses when your internet service provider tells you to change them for faster browsing or to block certain websites.

Command Prompt is the fastest way to get all this information at once. Bookmarking the steps takes only a few seconds and saves time the next time you need to check your network setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ipconfig and ipconfig /all?

ipconfig shows the basic information you need most often: your IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. ipconfig /all shows everything, including your MAC address, DNS servers, and DHCP server. Use /all when you need details beyond the standard output.

Why does my IP address start with 192.168 instead of 10.0?

Both are private IP address ranges that routers can assign. Most home routers use 192.168, but some use 10.0. Both work the same way on your home network. The specific range depends on how your router is configured and does not affect performance.

Can I change my local IP address from Command Prompt?

No, ipconfig only displays your address — it does not change it. To assign a static IP address instead of letting your router assign one automatically, you must change the settings in your network adapter properties or your router's admin panel.

Is my public IP address the same as my local IP address?

No, they are completely different. Your local IP address (from ipconfig) is only used on your home network. Your public IP address is what websites see and is assigned by your internet service provider. You cannot find your public IP in Command Prompt.

What should I do if Command Prompt shows multiple IP addresses?

You may have multiple network adapters active — for example, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected at the same time. Each adapter has its own IP address. Use the one for the connection you are actually using (Ethernet if you are plugged in, Wi-Fi if you are wireless).