Your IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to your device on the internet. It's how websites and online services identify where to send data when you make a request.

IPv4 vs IPv6

Most users have an IPv4 address — a 32-bit number written as four groups of digits (e.g. 203.0.113.1). As IPv4 addresses run out, the internet is transitioning to IPv6 — a 128-bit address written in hexadecimal (e.g. 2001:db8::1).

Public vs Private IP

The IP shown here is your public IP — the one visible to the internet, typically assigned by your ISP. Your devices on a home network also have private IPs(like 192.168.x.x) that are only visible within your local network.

Why Does My IP Change?

Most ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Businesses often pay for static IPs that never change. VPNs and proxies will show a different IP — the IP of the VPN server, not your real location.