Public vs private IPs
Your router has one public IP visible to the internet. Behind it, every device on your network gets a private IP (like 192.168.1.x) that only exists inside your LAN. Websites only ever see the public one.
Networking basics
What Is My IP Address? (IPv4, IPv6, and Privacy Explained)
Understand what your IP address actually reveals, the difference between public, private, IPv4, and IPv6 addresses, and the privacy steps that genuinely help.
Quick summary
- Your public IP identifies your network to the internet.
- It reveals ISP, approximate location, and ASN — not your name.
- IPv6 is the modern replacement for the exhausted IPv4 space.
- VPNs help if configured against DNS and WebRTC leaks.
What your IP actually reveals
- Your ISP and the autonomous system (ASN) it belongs to.
- Approximate location — country and usually a nearby city.
- Whether the IP is on a known VPN, datacenter, or proxy range.
- Reputation history if it's been involved in abuse.
IPv4 vs IPv6 in one paragraph
IPv4 supports about 4.3 billion addresses, which we exhausted years ago. IPv6 supports 340 undecillion. Modern ISPs and operating systems prefer IPv6 when available; IPv4 still dominates legacy infrastructure.
Practical privacy steps
- Use a reputable VPN and verify with our VPN leak test.
- Disable WebRTC in browsers that aren't using it.
- Use a privacy-focused DNS resolver (1.1.1.1, 9.9.9.9).
- Don't paste your IP into untrusted forums or screenshots.
Troubleshooting workflow
Run through these steps in order. Each step links to the right diagnostic tool.
- 1
Look up your current IP
See your public IP plus ISP, ASN, and approximate location.
Open What is my IP - 2
- 3
- 4
Recommended next steps
Frequently asked questions
Can someone find me with my IP?
Roughly. They can see your ISP, country, and city, but not a street address. Law enforcement can request precise data from your ISP.
What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 is the original 32-bit format (192.0.2.1). IPv6 is the 128-bit successor (2001:db8::1) created because we ran out of IPv4 space.
Does a VPN really hide my IP?
It replaces your visible IP with the VPN's. DNS leaks, WebRTC, and browser fingerprinting can still expose you — test for leaks.
Why does my IP keep changing?
Most ISPs assign dynamic IPs. They rotate when your modem reconnects. Static IPs require a business plan or a VPS.
Monitor it continuously
Save this check, get alerts on changes, and track multiple domains in one dashboard.