What your IP address is
An IP address is the number that identifies your connection on a network. Every request you send to a website carries the address of the connection it came from, so the site knows where to send the answer. This page shows the address that public servers actually see when you connect, which is usually the address of your router or carrier gateway rather than the one printed in your device settings.
- Your public IPv4 address, the one most websites still use.
- Whether this connection also has a public IPv6 address.
- The network operator and the autonomous system behind the address.
- An approximate location and time zone inferred from the address.
These values are read from the connection you are using right now, so the result is only as good as your current network. Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data and the page will show a different address.
IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 addresses are 32 bits long and look like 203.0.113.42. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long and are written as hexadecimal groups, like 2001:db8:8:4::2. IPv6 exists because the world ran out of new IPv4 addresses, and today it is common for a single connection to have both.
Many networks run IPv4 and IPv6 side by side, which is called dual stack. If this page shows an IPv6 address, your connection has working IPv6 and your browser will use it when the site supports it. If it shows only IPv4, you are on an IPv4-only path. That is normal on many home and mobile networks and it is not an error. The status line above works as a small IPv6 test for your current connection.
IPv6 also behaves differently in one way that matters for privacy: a single device can hold a whole block of addresses and rotate them, so the exact address you see can change between visits while the network stays the same.
What your IP address reveals
From a public IP address, a website can usually learn your network operator, also called the ISP, and an approximate location. The operator is read from public routing records, while the location comes from commercial databases that map address blocks to a country, a region and sometimes a city.
That location is an estimate, not a street address. Databases are updated at different times, mobile and satellite operators often route traffic through a distant hub, and VPN or proxy users appear wherever the exit server is. It is normal for the location shown here to point at a neighbouring city or a different region.
What an IP address does not contain is your name, phone number, email address or house number. A website cannot read those from the address alone. It can combine the address with other clues, such as a login, a cookie or distinctive browser settings, which is why a full privacy check looks at more than the IP.
Public and private IP addresses
A public IP address is reachable from the internet and is what websites see. A private IP address is used inside your own network and is not routed on the internet. Common private ranges are 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12 and 192.168.0.0/16, while 127.0.0.0/8 is the loopback range a device uses to talk to itself.
Your router translates between the two with NAT: every device at home gets a private address such as 192.168.1.20, while the whole network shares one public address. That is why the address in your device settings and the address shown on this page are usually different.
Some carriers put many customers behind another layer of NAT, called CGNAT. In that case the address your router reports is itself private or comes from the shared range 100.64.0.0/10, and the real public address belongs to the carrier. This is common on mobile networks and on some fibre plans, and it is one reason a router status page may not show a usable public IP.
Ways to change or hide your IP address
If you want websites to see a different address, there are several established options. Each one changes who can see what, and none of them makes you invisible.
- A VPN sends your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, and websites see the exit server's address instead of yours. The VPN provider can still see your real address, and some traffic can bypass the tunnel if it is misconfigured.
- A proxy routes a single application or browser through another server. It has a narrower effect than a VPN and fewer protections.
- Tor routes traffic through several relays and is designed to separate you from the sites you visit. It is slower and not convenient for everyday browsing or streaming.
- Mobile data uses your carrier's network and its shared address, which can change often. It is not anonymous, but it is a different address from your home connection.
Remember that your IP address is only one identifier. Signing in to an account, accepting cookies, or using a browser setup that is unique can identify you just as well. Use these tools for the goal you actually have — avoiding a specific block, hiding your home address from a site, or reducing tracking — and expect limits rather than absolute anonymity.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the location shown for my IP look wrong?
IP location comes from databases that map address blocks to places. They are updated at different times, mobile carriers often route traffic through regional hubs, and some address blocks are reused in several cities. City-level results are estimates and can be off by tens or hundreds of kilometres.
Does my IP address change?
It can. Many home connections keep the same public address for days or weeks and change it after a router restart or a provider-side reconfiguration. Mobile data and public Wi-Fi usually change more often, and each VPN server you connect to gives you a different address.
Is it dangerous if someone knows my public IP address?
Knowing an address by itself gives almost no access. The practical risks are services that are exposed to the internet on your network, such as a badly configured remote login or camera, and targeted attacks that try to find such services. Home routers block unsolicited inbound connections by default, keeping the router firmware updated reduces risk, and a VPN hides the address if you prefer not to share it.
Why do I see two IP addresses, one IPv4 and one IPv6?
You are on a dual stack connection. The two addresses identify the same connection at two different protocol levels, and both are legitimate. A site that supports IPv6 will normally reach you over IPv6, while a site that supports only IPv4 uses your IPv4 address.
What is CGNAT?
Carrier-grade NAT is a second layer of address sharing run by an internet provider. Many customers share one public address, and each household gets a private or special address on the provider's side. Port forwarding usually cannot work through CGNAT, and location data is even less precise than usual.
Does private or incognito mode hide my IP address?
No. Private browsing erases local history, cookies and form data when you close the window, but every site you visit still receives your connection's IP address, and your network operator can still see which sites you reach. To change what websites see, use a VPN, proxy or a different network.
What is an ISP, and what is an ASN?
The ISP, or internet service provider, is the company that connects you to the internet. An ASN is an Autonomous System Number, a label used in internet routing to identify a network and the address ranges it announces. A single ASN can cover millions of addresses, so the ASN tells you which network the traffic comes from, not who is behind it.
Who can see my IP address?
Websites and services you connect to, your internet provider, and anyone who can observe traffic on the path or on your local network. On a home network, other devices can see your private address, not your public one. Law enforcement can request connection records from providers through legal process.