IP Address Lookup - Check Your IP Address Information

How This Tool Works

Our IP address lookup tool uses a combination of browser APIs and external services to gather comprehensive information about your connection. When you load the page, the tool makes a request to the ipify.org API—a free, reliable service that returns your public IP address as seen by the internet. This is the address your ISP assigns to your router, which websites and online services see when you connect to them.

For additional information like your browser type, operating system, and screen resolution, the tool uses JavaScript to access the navigator and screen objects built into your browser. These APIs provide information about your device without making any external requests. The timezone is detected using the Intl.DateTimeFormat API, which reads your system's time settings. All of this data is processed locally in your browser—we never store or transmit your information to our servers.

The distinction between IPv4 and IPv6 is automatically detected by analyzing the format of the returned IP address. IPv6 addresses contain colons, while IPv4 uses dots. This simple pattern matching allows the tool to accurately identify which protocol you're using.

Why Use This Tool

Compared to searching "what is my IP" in a search engine or checking network settings manually, our tool provides a faster, more comprehensive view of your connection details in one place. It's particularly useful when:

• Instant access: See your IP address immediately without navigating through system settings or running terminal commands
• Comprehensive information: Get browser, OS, timezone, and screen details alongside your IP—useful for troubleshooting
• Verify VPN status: Quickly check if your VPN is working by comparing your IP location to your actual location
• Troubleshooting assistance: When contacting tech support, they often need your IP and system details—this tool provides everything at once
• Privacy awareness: Understand what information websites can see about you without any special tools or permissions

Unlike command-line tools like ipconfig or ifconfig that show your local network IP, this tool specifically displays your public internet-facing IP address—the one that matters for remote access, gaming servers, and online services.

IP Address Lookup Tool

Instantly discover your public IP address and connection information. Our free IP lookup tool provides comprehensive details about your internet connection, browser, and system configuration.

Understanding IP Addresses

An IP address is your device's unique identifier on the internet, much like a home address for mail delivery:

• Public IP: Assigned by your ISP, visible to websites you visit
• Private IP: Used within your local network, assigned by your router
• Static IP: Permanent address that doesn't change
• Dynamic IP: Temporary address that changes periodically

IPv4 vs IPv6

There are two versions of IP addresses currently in use:

• IPv4: Traditional format (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx), 32-bit, ~4.3 billion addresses
• IPv6: Modern format (xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx), 128-bit, virtually unlimited
• Dual Stack: Many devices support both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously
• Transition: Internet is gradually moving from IPv4 to IPv6 due to address exhaustion

What Information Does Your IP Reveal?

Your IP address can reveal certain information about you:

• General Location: City or region, not exact address
• ISP Information: Your internet service provider
• Connection Type: Residential, business, mobile, or data center
• Time Zone: Based on geographical location
• Organization: If connected through a company network

Private IP Address Ranges

These IP ranges are reserved for private networks and not routable on the internet:

• Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 (16 million addresses)
• Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 (1 million addresses)
• Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 (65,536 addresses)
• Loopback: 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255 (localhost)

How to Protect Your IP Address

Methods to enhance your online privacy:

• VPN (Virtual Private Network): Encrypts traffic and masks your IP with a server's IP
• Proxy Server: Acts as intermediary between you and the internet
• Tor Browser: Routes traffic through multiple nodes for anonymity
• Mobile Data: Use mobile network instead of public WiFi
• Public WiFi Caution: Avoid sensitive activities on public networks

Common IP Address Issues

Troubleshooting common network problems:

• IP Conflict: Two devices with same IP on network - restart router
• No IP Address: Check DHCP settings, cable connections
• Self-Assigned IP: Device couldn't get DHCP address (169.254.x.x)
• Blocked IP: IP banned from service - use VPN or contact ISP
• Leaked IP: VPN not working properly - test for DNS leaks

IP Address in Network Security

Understanding IP-related security concerns:

• DDoS Attacks: Flooding IP with traffic to disrupt service
• IP Spoofing: Faking source IP to impersonate another device
• Geo-blocking: Content restrictions based on IP location
• IP Reputation: Blacklisted IPs from spam or malicious activity
• Firewall Rules: Allow/deny traffic based on IP addresses

When to Use Static vs Dynamic IP

Choosing the right IP type for your needs:

• Static IP Best For: Hosting servers, remote access, VoIP, gaming servers
• Dynamic IP Best For: Regular browsing, cost savings, automatic management
• Business Use: Often requires static IPs for reliability
• Home Use: Dynamic IPs are typically sufficient

IP Address and DNS

How domain names map to IP addresses:

• DNS Function: Translates domain names (google.com) to IP addresses
• DNS Records: A records (IPv4), AAAA records (IPv6)
• DNS Servers: Recursive resolvers that lookup IP addresses
• DNS Cache: Stores recent lookups for faster access
• DNS Propagation: Time for DNS changes to spread globally (24-48 hours)

Legal Considerations

Understanding legal aspects of IP addresses:

• IP addresses are generally not considered personal data under GDPR
• Combined with other data, IPs can help identify individuals
• ISPs may be required to log IP assignments by law
• Law enforcement can request IP owner information via warrant
• Using VPNs is legal in most countries (check local laws)

Tools for IP Management

Useful utilities for working with IP addresses:

• Ping: Test connectivity to an IP address
• Traceroute: Show path packets take to destination IP
• Nslookup: Query DNS to find IP addresses
• Whois: Lookup IP ownership and registration details
• IP Calculator: Calculate subnet masks and IP ranges

Limitations & Things to Know

To use this tool effectively and understand its results, keep these points in mind:

• Requires internet: The tool needs an active internet connection to query the ipify.org API for your public IP address. It won't work in offline mode.
• Shows public IP only: This tool displays your public (external) IP address, not your private local network IP (like 192.168.x.x). For local IP, check your system's network settings.
• VPN/proxy affects results: If you're using a VPN or proxy, the tool shows the VPN server's IP address, not your actual ISP-assigned IP.
• Dynamic IPs change: Most home internet connections use dynamic IPs that change periodically. Your IP may be different tomorrow or after restarting your router.
• Location accuracy: IP-based geolocation typically identifies your city or region, not your exact physical address. It can sometimes be inaccurate, especially with mobile connections.
• Browser dependency: System information relies on what your browser reports, which can be affected by privacy extensions or browser settings.
• External API dependency: The tool depends on ipify.org's availability. If their service is down, IP detection may fail (though this is rare).