What Is an IP Address? Public IP, Private IP, IPv4, and IPv6 Explained
Last updated: April 2026
An IP address is the numerical label assigned to every device on a network. It serves two purposes: identifying the host and locating it on the network — similar to a home address for your device on the internet.
IPv4 vs IPv6
IPv4
Format: 192.168.1.1
Four groups of numbers (0–255), separated by dots. About 4.3 billion possible addresses — which have been exhausted globally.
IPv6
Format: 2001:db8::1
Eight groups of hexadecimal digits. About 340 undecillion possible addresses — enough for every atom on Earth.
IPv4 is still more common, but IPv6 adoption is growing because IPv4 addresses have run out. Most modern devices support both.
Public IP vs Private IP
| Public IP | Private IP | |
|---|---|---|
| Who assigns it | Your ISP (internet provider) | Your router |
| Visible to | The entire internet | Only devices on your local network |
| Example range | Any public address | 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, 172.16–31.x.x |
| Unique? | Yes — globally unique | No — reused across private networks |
Your phone and laptop likely share the same public IP (your router's address). They have different private IPs within your home network.
What does a VPN do to your IP?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your traffic through a server in another location. Websites see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours. This has two effects:
- Your real public IP is hidden from websites you visit.
- Your apparent location changes to wherever the VPN server is located.
VPNs are used for privacy, accessing region-restricted content, and securing traffic on public Wi-Fi. Note that your ISP can still see that you are connecting to a VPN server.
Is my IP address permanent?
Most home internet connections use a dynamic IP — your ISP can change it when you reconnect or at regular intervals. Some business connections use a static IP that stays the same. To check your current public IP at any time, use an IP lookup tool.
Check your current public IP address.
Find My IP Address