Your IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to your device every time it connects to the internet. Every website and server you visit can see your IP address — it is how the internet knows where to send data back to you. You can check your IP address right now on whatsmy.fyi, instantly and for free.
What Is an IP Address?
Think of an IP address like a postal address for your device. Just as a letter needs a delivery address to reach the right house, data packets sent across the internet need an IP address to reach the right device. Without an IP address, you could not receive any data from any website or service.
The name stands for Internet Protocol address. The protocol defines the rules for how data is routed and delivered across networks. Your IP address is the key piece of information that makes this routing possible.
There are two formats of IP addresses in use today: IPv4 and IPv6. A typical IPv4 address looks like 203.0.113.42 — four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by dots. An IPv6 address looks like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 — a longer format designed to accommodate the vast number of devices connecting to the internet. Learn more in our guide to what IPv6 is and why it matters.
Public IP vs. Private IP Address
You actually have two kinds of IP addresses:
- Public IP address: This is the address your internet service provider (ISP) assigns to your home router or mobile connection. It is visible to every website and server you connect to. When someone says "what is my IP address?", they usually mean this one.
- Private IP address: This is the address your router assigns to each device on your local network (your phone, laptop, smart TV, etc.). It is invisible to the outside internet. Typical private IP ranges are
192.168.x.xand10.x.x.x.
whatsmy.fyi shows your public IP address — the one the outside world sees. It is read directly from the incoming connection, with no third-party lookup required.
What Does Your IP Address Reveal?
Your IP address is not a secret, but it does carry information. Here is what it typically reveals:
- Approximate location: IP geolocation databases can usually determine your city, region, and country. Accuracy varies — it is typically correct to the city level for wired connections and to the region level for mobile connections. See our full guide on how IP geolocation works.
- Your ISP: The organization that owns the IP address block is publicly registered. This is typically your Internet Service Provider (Comcast, BT, Deutsche Telekom, etc.) or, if you are on a VPN, the VPN provider.
- Connection type hint: Data centers, VPN providers, and residential ISPs tend to have different IP ranges, making it possible to guess whether you are connecting from home, an office, or through a VPN.
What your IP address does not reveal: your name, your home street address, your browsing history, or any other personally identifying information beyond your approximate location and ISP.
How Is an IP Address Assigned?
The global pool of IP addresses is managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which distributes blocks of addresses to regional registries (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, etc.), which then distribute smaller blocks to ISPs. Your ISP assigns an IP address to your connection.
Most home connections use dynamic IP addresses — your ISP can change your IP address periodically. Businesses often pay extra for static IP addresses that never change. Mobile connections change IP addresses frequently as your phone connects to different cell towers.
Can You Hide Your IP Address?
Yes. Two common methods are:
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): Routes your traffic through a VPN server, so websites see the VPN server's IP instead of yours.
- Tor (The Onion Router): Routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated nodes, making it very difficult to trace back to you.
Important: even with a VPN, your browser can leak your real IP through WebRTC. Our WebRTC leak guide explains how this works and how to test for it. You can also run the WebRTC leak test on whatsmy.fyi right now.
Why Does Your IP Address Matter for Privacy?
Your IP address is classified as personal data under the GDPR. Combined with other browser signals — your user agent, screen resolution, timezone, and installed fonts — it contributes to a "browser fingerprint" that can track you across sites without cookies. Check your privacy score to see how exposed your connection is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can websites see my IP address?
Yes. Every website you visit receives your IP address as part of the HTTP request. This is technically unavoidable — without your IP, the website would not know where to send the page back to.
Does my IP address change?
Most home broadband connections use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically — when you restart your router, or on a schedule set by your ISP. Mobile connections change IP addresses very frequently. Business connections often use static IPs that never change.
Is my IP address the same as my home address?
No. Your IP address reveals your approximate city and ISP but not your street address. Only your ISP can link a specific IP address to a specific customer, and they are legally required to keep that information confidential except when compelled by law.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 addresses have 4 billion possible combinations (e.g., 93.184.216.34), which the internet exhausted in 2011. IPv6 uses a 128-bit format with 340 undecillion possible addresses (e.g., 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946), ensuring we never run out. Most modern devices support both simultaneously (dual-stack).
