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Free public IP checker

What Is My Public IP Address?

Your public IP address is the one websites see. It is different from the private address your router gives your phone or computer.

Your public IP address

The address the internet sees when you connect.

What we test, what we do not, and what we store

Full method →

We test

  • The public IP address websites see when you connect
  • Whether your connection also has an IPv6 address
  • The reverse DNS name and network owner of your address

We do not test

  • Your private address inside your home network: browsers do not reveal it to this page
  • Whether your address is shared with other customers (CGNAT) with certainty

What we store

  • Nothing is written to a log or database
  • Short-lived in-memory request counters per network to block abuse
  • Anonymous usage counts only: which tool was completed and a coarse result category, never what you typed, your IP address or your results. Nothing is sent if your browser signals Global Privacy Control or Do Not Track.

Third parties that see data: ipify (api4.ipify.org and api6.ipify.org) is called by your browser and sees your IP. Public DNS resolvers receive the address for the reverse lookup and see our server, not you.

Public IP address, explained

A public IP address is the address your connection presents to the rest of the internet. It is assigned by your internet provider, and every website, server and game you connect to sees it. Because it is the return address for all your traffic, it is also the address that appears in server logs, abuse reports and login alerts.

Public vs private IP address

Inside your home, your router hands each device a private address, typically starting with 192.168 or 10. Those addresses are not unique on the internet; thousands of homes use the same ones. Your router translates between them using network address translation, so all your devices share the single public address you see above. That is why checking the address in your network settings shows a different number than this page. Read public vs private IP addresses for a longer explanation.

Is my public IP static or dynamic?

Most home connections use a dynamic address that your provider may change when your router restarts or after a period of time. A static address never changes and is usually a paid extra. If you refresh this page over several days and the number changes, yours is dynamic. See static vs dynamic IP addresses for when each matters.

When your public IP is not really yours

Some providers use carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), which shares one public address among many customers. This is common on mobile networks and some fibre and satellite services. It means the address shown may be used by other people at the same moment, and that you cannot host a server at home without extra steps. Our CGNAT guide explains how to tell.

What your public IP exposes

Your public address shows your provider and an approximate location. It does not show your name or your exact address. It does allow sites to link your visits made from the same connection, and to block or rate-limit you. If you connect through a VPN, this page shows the VPN server's address instead, which is a quick way to confirm the VPN is working.

Last reviewed 2026-10-28. Found a mistake? Report a correction (how we handle them).

Fix it and learn more

Public vs Private IP AddressPublic vs private IP addresses: the private ranges, how NAT connects them and why your router shows a different address than websites see.What Is CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT)?Carrier-grade NAT lets ISPs share one public IP between many customers. How to check if you are behind it and what it means for hosting and bans.Static vs Dynamic IP AddressStatic IPs stay the same, dynamic IPs change. How each works, why providers use dynamic addresses, and what it means for privacy and hosting.

Also check your…

My IP LocationWhere websites think you are, and why it is often wrong.What Is My IPv6 Address?Check whether you have IPv6 and see your address if you do.IP LookupLook up the location, owner and registry record of any IP address or domain.Am I Using a VPN?Check whether sites see you as a VPN, proxy or data-centre connection.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my public IP different from the one in my network settings?

The one in your settings is a private address given by your router. The public one is on the router's side, assigned by your provider and shared by every device at home.

How often does my public IP change?

It depends on your provider. Many home connections keep the same address for weeks, while others change it whenever the router restarts. Mobile addresses change often.

Is it safe to share my public IP address?

It is not secret, because every site you visit sees it. Avoid posting it publicly, since it can be targeted for attacks on your router. Keep your router firmware updated and unused ports closed.

How do I hide my public IP address?

Use a VPN, a proxy or Tor, which present their address instead of yours. See how to hide your IP address.