An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a network address used to route data to and from a device or network. It helps systems deliver traffic; by itself, it does not identify a person or reveal an exact physical location.
IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 addresses use four numbers separated by dots, such as 203.0.113.8. The address space is limited, so networks also use IPv6, whose longer hexadecimal addresses support a much larger number of endpoints. A connection may support IPv4, IPv6, or both.
Public and private addresses
A public address can be routed across the internet. Private addresses are used inside local networks and are not directly reachable from the public internet. Your router or network gateway commonly shares one public address among several local devices.
Why an address can change
Internet providers may assign addresses temporarily or change them when a connection reconnects. A VPN, mobile network, proxy, or corporate gateway can also change the address a website observes.
What an IP location means
IP location is an estimate based on network registration and provider data. It may show an internet provider, a regional hub, or a nearby city rather than your actual position. It cannot reliably identify a household or individual.
Check the address visible to this site or look up a public IP address.