What is my IP address?
Your public IP address, your ISP and your approximate location, detected in real time. We don't store your IP.
Public IP vs private IP: the difference
Your public IP is the address your router shows to the internet: it's unique across the global network and assigned by your ISP. Your private IP (e.g. 192.168.x.x) is internal to your home network and identifies the individual devices behind the router. Websites only ever see your public IP, the one shown above.
IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 addresses (e.g. 82.51.100.7) are running out: there are only 4.3 billion of them. That's why IPv6 exists (e.g. 2a01:...), a practically unlimited pool. Many modern connections use both; if you see an address with colons above, you're browsing over IPv6.
Static or dynamic IP, and how to hide it
Most home lines get a dynamic IP that changes periodically; a static IP (often a paid add-on) stays fixed and is handy for servers or remote access. To hide your IP and location you can use a VPN, which routes your traffic through an intermediate server. Either way, your IP is a data point every site logs: knowing what it is helps you understand what's visible about you online.
FAQ
What is my IP address?
It's the address shown in large type at the top of this page: it's your public IP, detected in real time from the connection you're browsing on.
Does my IP reveal my identity or my home address?
No. It reveals your ISP and your approximate city, not your name or your exact address. Only your ISP, by law, knows who an IP was assigned to at a given moment.
Why does my IP keep changing?
Because most ISPs hand out dynamic IPs: they change when you reboot the router or after a set period. That's completely normal.
How do I hide my IP?
Use a VPN or the Tor network: both make sites see the IP of an intermediate server instead of yours. A VPN is the simplest option for privacy and for getting around geo-blocks.
