What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical label assigned to every device on a network — from your smartphone to your smart TV. Just as a postal address tells the mail system where to deliver a letter, an IP address tells the internet where to send data packets. Without IP addresses, devices would have no way to find each other.
You can check your current public IP address right now using our What's My IP tool. It shows your IPv4 address, IPv6 address (if active), ISP name, and approximate location in seconds.
IPv4 vs IPv6: Two Generations of IP
There are two versions of IP addresses in use today. IPv4 addresses look like four numbers separated by dots (e.g., 185.60.112.5). They are 32-bit numbers, allowing about 4.3 billion unique addresses — a pool that is now essentially exhausted. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal colon notation (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334), providing a virtually unlimited supply.
For a deep comparison, see our guide on IPv4 vs IPv6.
Public IP vs Private IP
Your network actually uses two types of IP address simultaneously:
- Public IP — Assigned by your ISP (e& or Du in the UAE), this is the address the entire internet sees when you go online. All devices in your home share one public IP.
- Private IP — Assigned by your router using DHCP, this identifies your specific device within your home network (e.g., 192.168.1.10). It is invisible to the outside internet.
Your router uses a technique called NAT (Network Address Translation) to map multiple private IPs to your single public IP. Learn more in our guide on Public IP vs Private IP.
How DHCP Assigns Your IP Address
When a device joins a network, it doesn't pick its own IP — it requests one through the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) process:
- Discover — Your device broadcasts a request: "Is there a DHCP server?"
- Offer — The router responds with an available IP address offer.
- Request — Your device formally requests the offered IP.
- Acknowledge — The router confirms; your device now has an IP, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server.
This entire exchange happens in milliseconds every time you connect to Wi-Fi. The assigned IP has a lease time (typically 24 hours) after which it may change.
What Does Your IP Address Reveal?
IP addresses reveal less personal information than many people fear — but they do expose some data:
| What an IP CAN reveal | What an IP CANNOT reveal |
|---|---|
| Your approximate city or region | Your exact home address |
| Your ISP name (e&, Du, Virgin, etc.) | Your full name or identity |
| Connection type (mobile or fixed) | Your browsing history |
| Country (always accurate) | Passwords or account details |
| Whether a VPN is in use | Other devices on your network |
Wondering if your IP is safe to share? Read our guide: Is My IP Safe to Share?
How to Find Your IP Address on Any Device
Windows
Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for IPv4 Address under your active adapter — this is your private IP. For your public IP, visit the What's My IP tool.
macOS
Open System Settings → Network, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and click Details. Your private IP is shown on the TCP/IP tab. Alternatively, open Terminal and type ifconfig | grep inet.
iPhone (iOS)
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the (i) icon next to your connected network. Your private IP address is listed under IP Address. For your public IP, open Safari and visit internetspeedtest.ae/what-is-my-ip.
Android
Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi, tap the gear icon next to your network, then tap View more. Your IP address is shown in the IP address field. Android paths vary slightly by manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.).
IP Address Types at a Glance
| Type | Example | Assigned By | Visible To | Changes? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public IPv4 | 185.60.112.5 | ISP (e& / Du) | Entire internet | Yes (dynamic) |
| Private IPv4 | 192.168.1.10 | Your router | Local network only | Yes (DHCP lease) |
| Public IPv6 | 2001:db8::1 | ISP (e& / Du) | Entire internet | Often (privacy ext.) |
| Static IP | Fixed by ISP | ISP (paid add-on) | Entire internet | No |
| Loopback | 127.0.0.1 | Operating system | Local device only | Never |
Why Your IP Address Matters
Understanding your IP address is the foundation of network troubleshooting, privacy management, and remote access setup. Whether you need to configure port forwarding, connect to a work VPN, or simply understand why certain websites seem to know your location, it all starts with knowing your IP.
For privacy-conscious users, consider reading about how to hide your IP address and what a VPN is. If you're curious about how internet speed relates to your connection quality, our speed test tool gives you a full picture in under a minute.