Look up an IP address
What Is an IP Address?
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identifier assigned to a device or network interface that communicates over an IP network. It helps devices and servers exchange information across the internet.
When you visit a website, your connection uses an IP address that allows the website's server to send information back to your device. This tool detects the address of the direct network connection reaching the server.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of the Internet Protocol. They identify network interfaces but use different address formats.
- IPv4: Uses 32-bit addresses, commonly written as four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.0.2.1.
- IPv6: Uses 128-bit addresses, written using hexadecimal groups separated by colons, such as 2001:db8::1.
What Information Can an IP Lookup Show?
An IP lookup can provide information associated with a public IP address, depending on the available network and geolocation databases.
- Public IPv4 or IPv6 address.
- Approximate country, region and city.
- Internet service provider (ISP).
- Network organization and ASN.
- Reverse DNS hostname, when available.
- Approximate coordinates and timezone.
Can an IP Address Reveal Your Exact Location?
No. IP geolocation generally estimates a location based on network registration and provider databases. The displayed city or region may differ from your actual location, particularly when using mobile networks, corporate networks, VPNs, proxies or shared internet connections.
What Is a Public IP Address?
A public IP address is an internet-routable address used to communicate across public networks. Private addresses, such as 192.168.x.x and 10.x.x.x, are used within local networks and are not directly geolocatable through ordinary public IP lookup services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I find my public IP address?
Open this page and your detected connection IP will appear at the top. Select Look Up IP to retrieve additional network information.
2. Does this tool support IPv6?
Yes. The tool accepts both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Your connection may use IPv4, IPv6 or a network configuration that supports both.
3. Do I need an API key?
No API key is required for the basic geolocation integration used by this page. The external provider has usage limits and terms that should be checked before commercial deployment.
4. Can this tool find my exact address?
No. IP geolocation provides approximate location information. It cannot reliably identify your home address or exact physical position.
5. Why does my IP address change?
Internet providers may assign dynamic IP addresses. Your public IP can change after reconnecting, restarting network equipment or changing networks.
6. Does a VPN change my detected IP?
Usually, yes. When a VPN is configured to route your web traffic, websites generally see the VPN's public exit IP address rather than your original connection IP.
7. Why is my ISP or location not displayed?
Geolocation databases do not contain complete information for every IP address. Some networks may also return limited or outdated registration information.
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