How To Find Your Real IP Address

Your real (public) IP address is the address assigned to your internet connection by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that is visible on the web. This is different from your local IP address, which is used within your home network. Here's how to find your real (public) IP address:

Method 1: Using a Web Browser (Fastest Method)

1. Open a Web Browser: On any device connected to the internet, open your web browser (such as Chrome, Safari, or Firefox).
2. Go to an IP Lookup Website: Type one of the following addresses into the address bar:
   • What is my IP
   • IP Chicken
   • WhatIsMyIP.com
   • IPInfo
3. View Your Public IP Address: These websites will automatically display your public IP address at the top of the page.

Method 2: Using Google Search

1. Open Google: Open your web browser and go to Google (or use the Google search bar if it's available).
2. Search for "What is my IP": Type "What is my IP" in the search bar and press Enter.
3. View Your IP Address: Google will show your public IP address directly at the top of the search results.

Method 3: Using Your Router's Web Interface

1. Access Your Router's Admin Page:
   • Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Common router IPs include:
     • 192.168.1.1
     • 192.168.0.1
     • 192.168.100.1
     • Check your router's manual for the correct IP if these don’t work.
2. Login to Your Router: Enter your router's admin username and password. If you haven't changed these, they are often set to default values (e.g., "admin" for both username and password).
3. Look for WAN/Internet Settings: Navigate to the WAN or Internet settings section in your router’s admin interface. Your public IP address should be listed here.

Method 4: Using Command Line (Windows, Mac, or Linux)

For Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd in the search bar and selecting Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com  

3. The result will display your public IP address under the Non-authoritative answer section.

For MacOS/Linux:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   dig +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.com  

3. Your public IP address will be displayed.

Method 5: Using a VPN (If You Want to See Your Public IP as Seen by Websites)

If you are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), your IP address will appear as the one provided by the VPN server instead of your real IP. To check the IP that websites see when you're connected to the VPN:

1. Connect to the VPN.
2. Follow any of the steps above to check your IP (via Google, IP lookup website, or command line).
3. The IP address displayed will be the VPN server’s public IP address, not your real one.

Notes:

• Public vs Local IP Address: Your public IP address is assigned by your ISP and is visible to the internet. Your local IP address is assigned to your device within your home or local network (e.g., 192.168.x.x) and is not visible to the outside world.
• Dynamic vs Static IP: Most home internet connections use a dynamic IP address, which can change periodically. If you need a static IP (one that doesn’t change), you may need to request it from your ISP (this is often an additional service).

By following these methods, you can easily find your real public IP address and use it for various purposes like remote access, troubleshooting, or simply understanding your network setup.