What is an IP Address?

What is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number identifying each device on a network — like a postal address for your computer, letting data find its way to you.

IPv4 vs IPv6

	IPv4	IPv6
Format	192.168.1.1	2001:0db8:...
Length	32-bit	128-bit
Addresses	~4 billion	Virtually unlimited

Public vs Private IPs

• Public — identifies you on the internet (assigned by ISP).
• Private — used inside your local network (e.g. 192.168.x.x).

Static vs Dynamic

• Static — fixed, doesn't change (servers).
• Dynamic — changes periodically (most home users).

How to Find Yours

# Public IP — search "what is my IP"
# Local IP:
ipconfig     # Windows
ifconfig     # Mac/Linux

FAQs

Can two devices share an IP?

Not the same public IP simultaneously — that causes conflicts. More in our What Is guides.

What is localhost?

127.0.0.1 — your own machine's loopback address.