How to Find Out Your IP Address

Internet Protocol addresses identify a particular computer or device to a network. Typical home setups include one or more computers connected to a router or modem. The router includes has an IP address for the local home network and another IP address for the Internet. When your computer connects to the Web over a router, web servers and other services see the router's IP address. This is because your computer only has a local IP address for use on your home network. Finding your computer's IP address only takes a few moments.

Instructions

1. Open the "Start" menu and type "Command Prompt" in the search field. In Windows XP click the "Run" option.

2. Click the shortcut that appears in the search results. In Windows XP type "cmd.exe" and press "Enter."

3. Type "ipconfig" without the quotes in the window that appears and press "Enter." This IP address for each of your network adapters is displayed. Most systems have two adapters at most, the wired Ethernet adapter and a wireless adapter.

Tips & Warnings

• To see the IP address of your router or modem which is sent to Web servers and services, use a third-party site such as WhatIsMyIPAddress.com.

References

• Microsoft Technet: Ipconfig

Resources

• WhatIsMyIPAddress