What is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Think of it as your device's home address on the internet — it tells other devices where to send information so it reaches you.

How IP Addresses Work

When you visit a website or send an email, your device needs to communicate with other computers across the internet. IP addresses make this possible by providing a standardized way to identify and locate devices.

Here's a simplified version of what happens:

1. You type a website URL (like whatip.ca) into your browser
2. Your device contacts a DNS server to translate that URL into an IP address
3. Your request is sent to that IP address, carrying your IP as the "return address"
4. The website's server receives your request and sends the webpage back to your IP address
5. Your device receives the data and displays the website

IPv4 vs IPv6

There are two versions of IP addresses in use today:

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)

IPv4 addresses look like this: 192.168.1.1

They consist of four numbers (0-255) separated by dots, creating about 4.3 billion possible combinations. While that sounds like a lot, we've actually run out of new IPv4 addresses due to the explosion of internet-connected devices.

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)

IPv6 addresses look like this: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

IPv6 uses a 128-bit format, providing approximately 340 undecillion (that's 340 followed by 36 zeros) possible addresses — essentially unlimited for any foreseeable future.

Feature	IPv4	IPv6
Format	32-bit (4 octets)	128-bit (8 groups)
Example	192.168.1.1	2001:db8::8a2e:370:7334
Total Addresses	~4.3 billion	~340 undecillion
Status	Exhausted (no new blocks)	Plentiful

Public vs Private IP Addresses

Not all IP addresses are visible on the public internet. There's an important distinction between public and private IPs:

Public IP Address

Your public IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is how your home or business network is identified on the internet. All devices on your local network share the same public IP when communicating with the outside world.

Private IP Address

Your private IP address is used within your local network (home or office). Your router assigns these addresses to each device — your phone might be 192.168.1.5, your laptop 192.168.1.6, etc.

Private IP ranges are:

10.0.0.0    – 10.255.255.255   (Class A)
172.16.0.0  – 172.31.255.255   (Class B)
192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255  (Class C)

Static vs Dynamic IP Addresses

IP addresses can be assigned in two ways:

Dynamic IP Addresses

Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses. Your ISP assigns you an IP from a pool of available addresses, and it may change periodically. This is managed through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

• Pros: Automatic, no setup required, more secure (harder to target)
• Cons: IP can change, harder to run servers

Static IP Addresses

Static IP addresses never change. They're typically used by businesses that need to host servers, run VPNs, or have consistent remote access.

• Pros: Reliable for hosting, easier remote access
• Cons: Usually costs extra, slightly easier to target

How to Find Your IP Address

Finding your IP address is simple:

Find Your Public IP

The easiest way is to use our tool at the top of WhatIP.ca — your public IP is displayed instantly when you visit the page.

Find Your Private IP

On Windows:

ipconfig

On Mac/Linux:

ifconfig
# or
ip addr show

On iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap your network → IP Address

On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → tap your network

What Your IP Address Reveals

Your IP address can reveal:

• General location: City and region (not your exact address)
• ISP: Your internet service provider
• Connection type: Residential, business, mobile, etc.
• Organization: If you're on a corporate or university network