What Is My IP Address

Detecting your IP address...

Understanding Your IP Address

Every device connected to the internet has an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Think of it as a digital mailing address that allows data to be sent to and from your device. When you visit a website, your browser sends a request that includes your IP address so the server knows where to send the page content back to.

There are two versions of IP addresses in use today. IPv4, introduced in 1981, uses a 32-bit format that provides roughly 4.3 billion unique addresses. These look like four numbers separated by dots, such as 203.0.113.42. Because the internet has grown beyond what IPv4 can handle, IPv6 was developed with a 128-bit format that supports a virtually unlimited number of addresses. IPv6 addresses are written as eight groups of hexadecimal digits separated by colons.

Your IP address reveals approximate information about your location. Internet service providers assign IP addresses to specific geographic regions, so geolocation databases can determine your city and country with reasonable accuracy. However, your IP address does not reveal your exact street address or personal identity. It shows the general area served by your ISP.

Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses. Your ISP assigns an IP address from a pool, and it may change when your router restarts or after a period of time. Businesses and servers typically use static IP addresses that remain constant, which is important for hosting websites and email servers.

VPNs, proxies, and the Tor network can mask your real IP address by routing your traffic through intermediate servers. When using these services, websites see the IP address of the VPN or proxy server instead of yours. This tool detects many types of VPN, proxy, and Tor connections based on IP reputation databases.

If you need to check whether your IP address is on any spam blacklists, use our Blacklist Check tool. To find the hostname associated with an IP address, try Reverse DNS. For a complete network diagnostic, combine these tools with our Ping Test and Traceroute tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my IP address?

Your IP address is a unique number assigned to your device by your internet service provider. It identifies your device on the internet and allows websites and services to send data back to you. There are two versions: IPv4 (like 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (like 2001:db8::1).

Can someone find my location from my IP address?

An IP address reveals your approximate location, typically the city or region level, not your exact street address. ISPs assign IP addresses to geographic areas, so geolocation databases can estimate where you are. A VPN or proxy hides your real IP and shows the server's location instead.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (about 4.3 billion unique addresses) written as four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.1. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal groups separated by colons, like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. IPv6 was created because the world ran out of IPv4 addresses.

Does a VPN hide my IP address?

Yes, a VPN routes your internet traffic through a server in another location, replacing your real IP address with the VPN server's IP. This makes it appear as if you are browsing from the VPN server's location. Our tool can detect most VPN, proxy, and Tor connections.

Why does my IP address change?

Most residential internet connections use dynamic IP addresses, meaning your ISP assigns a new IP periodically or when your router reconnects. This is normal. Businesses often use static IP addresses that do not change. You can check if your IP has changed by visiting this page again.

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