What Is My IP Address? IPv4 vs. IPv6, Public vs. Private Explained
Public vs. Private IP Addresses
Your public IP is assigned by your ISP and is visible to every website you visit. Your private IP is assigned by your home router and is only visible within your local network. Tools like 'My IP Address' show your public IP — this is what websites, servers, and online services see.
IPv4 vs. IPv6
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1) — a pool of about 4.3 billion addresses that is now exhausted. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001:db8::1) — 340 undecillion addresses. Many networks now assign both (dual-stack). IPv6 offers better routing efficiency and built-in security features.
What Your IP Reveals
Country, region, and approximate city (not exact address). ISP and organization name. Whether you're using a VPN or proxy (often detectable). Whether you're a Tor exit node. Businesses use this for geo-targeting content, fraud prevention, and access control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check your IP address
Use the My IP Address tool to see your current public IP, location, and ISP.
Open My IP Address