What is an IP address?
An address for network traffic
An Internet Protocol address identifies an interface on an IP network. Routers use destination addresses to forward packets towards their destination. An address can change as a device moves between networks or reconnects.
Public and local addresses
Your device can have a local address while websites see a different public address. A router using network address translation can let multiple devices share one public IPv4 address. A VPN or proxy can also change the address a website observes.
What an address cannot tell you
An IP address alone does not identify a person or a precise physical location. Network ownership and routing information can help explain a connection, but location estimates may be incomplete or inaccurate.
See your IP address · Look up an IP address · All tools and guides