My IP Information

Check your public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and location.

IP Validator

Your public IP address is the unique number your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns to your internet connection โ€” it's what websites, apps, and servers see when you connect to them. To find your IP address online: click Show My Public IP above to instantly see your IPv4 address, IPv6 address (if supported), ISP name, ASN, and approximate location. Common reasons to check your IP include verifying a VPN is working, setting up remote access, and troubleshooting network issues. The geolocation lookup runs directly from your browser to public APIs โ€” bitlist does not store or log any IP addresses.

What is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) Address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. It serves two main functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.

IPv4 vs IPv6

  • IPv4: The most common version, appearing as four numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
  • IPv6: The newer version designed to replace IPv4, appearing as eight groups of hexadecimal digits (e.g., 2001:0db8:...). It allows for a vastly larger number of unique addresses.

Example Output

  • IPv4: 203.0.113.42
  • IPv6: 2001:db8::1
  • ISP/ASN: Example ISP / AS64500
  • Location: City, Region, Country (approximate)

Common Reasons to Check Your IP

  • VPN verification: Confirm the VPN server location is active.
  • Remote access: Provide your public IP for allowlists or firewall rules.
  • Network troubleshooting: Compare IPs across devices to isolate routing issues.

How IP Lookup Works

Your browser queries an IP information service to retrieve the public IPv4 and IPv6 addresses seen from the internet. The ISP, ASN, and approximate location are derived from public routing data and geolocation databases.

Public vs Private IPs

  • Public IP: Visible to the internet and assigned by your ISP.
  • Private IP: Internal address used within your local network (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
  • NAT: Most routers translate private IPs to a single public IP for outbound traffic.

Static vs Dynamic IPs

  • Dynamic IP: Most home connections rotate IPs over time. Changes are normal.
  • Static IP: Business plans can include fixed IPs for stable remote access.

Accuracy Notes

  • Location is approximate and can be off by city or region.
  • Mobile networks often show the carrier's hub location, not your exact city.
  • VPNs and proxies intentionally change the visible IP and location.

Troubleshooting

  • No IPv6: Your network or ISP may not support IPv6 yet.
  • Location looks wrong: IP geolocation is approximate and can be outdated.
  • IP changes often: Many home connections use dynamic IPs that rotate over time.

Privacy & Security

Knowing your public IP address is the first step in understanding your digital footprint. Websites use this address to track your location and identity. If you wish to hide your IP address, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

Security Tips

  • Avoid sharing your public IP in public forums or chats.
  • Use firewall rules and allowlists to limit inbound access.
  • Rotate VPN servers if you need a new public IP quickly.

Why IP Information Matters

IP data is often used for access control, rate limiting, and fraud prevention. Knowing your current IP helps you troubleshoot connectivity and confirm which network you are actually using.

Understanding IP Address Types in Detail

IPv4 Addresses

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) addresses are 32-bit numbers expressed as four decimal numbers (0-255) separated by dots. This format is called "dotted decimal notation."

  • Total addresses: Approximately 4.3 billion unique IPv4 addresses (232).
  • Exhaustion: IPv4 addresses were exhausted globally in 2011, leading to IPv6 adoption.
  • Format: 192.168.1.1, 203.0.113.42, 8.8.8.8
  • Private ranges: 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16 (reserved for local networks).
  • Special addresses: 127.0.0.1 (localhost), 0.0.0.0 (unspecified), 255.255.255.255 (broadcast).

IPv6 Addresses

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) addresses are 128-bit numbers expressed as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons.

  • Total addresses: Approximately 340 undecillion addresses (2128) โ€” essentially unlimited.
  • Format: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
  • Shorthand: Leading zeros can be omitted: 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334
  • Double colon: :: represents consecutive groups of zeros (can only appear once).
  • Private ranges: fc00::/7 (Unique Local Addresses), fe80::/10 (Link-Local addresses).
  • Adoption: Growing steadily, with major providers (Google, Facebook, Netflix) fully supporting IPv6.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

NAT allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address. Your router translates between private IPs (192.168.x.x) and your public IP.

  • How it works: Outbound connections are mapped to the public IP with unique port numbers.
  • Benefit: Conserves IPv4 addresses by allowing thousands of devices to share one public IP.
  • Limitation: Inbound connections require port forwarding rules to reach internal devices.
  • Types: Static NAT (1:1 mapping), Dynamic NAT (pool of IPs), PAT/Overloading (most common, single IP with ports).

ISP (Internet Service Provider) Information

Your ISP assigns your public IP address and manages your connection to the internet. IP lookup tools can identify your ISP from routing databases.

  • ISP name: The organization providing your internet connection (Comcast, AT&T, Vodafone, etc.).
  • Organization: May differ from consumer ISP name (e.g., hosting providers, VPN companies, corporate networks).
  • ASN (Autonomous System Number): A unique identifier for networks on the internet (e.g., AS15169 = Google).
  • BGP routing: ASNs use Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to route traffic between networks globally.

Geolocation Data

IP geolocation maps IP addresses to approximate physical locations using databases maintained by regional internet registries and commercial providers.

Accuracy Levels

  • Country: 95-99% accurate. IP blocks are registered to specific countries.
  • Region/State: 75-90% accurate. Based on ISP infrastructure and routing.
  • City: 50-80% accurate. Can be off by 25-100+ kilometers, especially for mobile networks.
  • Coordinates: Often point to ISP headquarters or regional hubs, not your exact location.

Why Geolocation Is Approximate

  • ISP infrastructure: Your traffic may route through a regional hub hundreds of kilometers away.
  • Mobile networks: Cell carriers often show their network gateway location, not the cell tower.
  • Database staleness: IP assignments change but geolocation databases update slowly (monthly or quarterly).
  • VPN/Proxy: Intentionally misrepresent location by routing through remote servers.
  • Privacy obfuscation: Some providers deliberately reduce geolocation precision for user privacy.

Static vs Dynamic IP Addresses

Dynamic IP Addresses

  • Default for most users: ISPs assign dynamic IPs from a pool to conserve addresses.
  • DHCP lease: Your IP is leased for a period (hours to days), then may change when the lease renews.
  • Triggers for change: Modem reboot, lease expiration, ISP network changes, or manual release/renew.
  • Benefit: Lower cost, better privacy (harder to track long-term), automatic address management.
  • Limitation: Not suitable for hosting services (web servers, game servers) as the address changes.

Static IP Addresses

  • Never changes: The same IP address is permanently assigned to your connection.
  • Use cases: Hosting services, remote access, VPN servers, security cameras, VoIP systems.
  • Cost: Usually requires a business plan or additional monthly fee ($5-50/month).
  • Security consideration: More exposed to scanning and targeted attacks (same address always reachable).
  • How to get: Contact your ISP to upgrade to a business plan or add static IP service.

Common Use Cases for IP Lookup

1. VPN Verification

After connecting to a VPN, check your IP to confirm your traffic is routing through the VPN server and not leaking through your ISP.

  • Expected result: IP should show VPN provider (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN) and VPN server location.
  • IP leak: If you see your ISP's name and your actual location, the VPN is not working properly.
  • Test method: Check IP before and after VPN connection. They should be completely different.

2. Remote Access Configuration

Provide your public IP to IT support, colleagues, or services that need to allowlist your connection.

  • Firewall allowlisting: Corporate VPNs often require adding your home IP to access lists.
  • Remote desktop: RDP, VNC, SSH connections need your public IP for direct access.
  • Dynamic IP challenge: If your IP changes frequently, use Dynamic DNS (DDNS) services.

3. Network Troubleshooting

Compare IP addresses across devices to diagnose routing, DNS, or connectivity issues.

  • Shared IP: Multiple devices behind the same router should show the same public IP.
  • Different IPs: If devices show different IPs, check for rogue DHCP servers or network segmentation.
  • Expected vs actual: Confirm you're on the expected network (home vs mobile vs VPN).

4. Security and Fraud Prevention

Websites and services use your IP for access control, rate limiting, and fraud detection.

  • Geographic restrictions: Streaming services use IP to enforce regional licensing.
  • Rate limiting: APIs limit requests per IP to prevent abuse.
  • Fraud detection: Banks flag logins from unexpected IPs/countries.
  • Account security: Many services email you when logins occur from new IPs.

5. Privacy Assessment

Understand what information you're exposing to websites and how much of your digital footprint is tied to your IP.

  • Fingerprinting: IP + browser data + timezone creates a unique identifier.
  • Tracking: Websites link your IP to browsing history, purchases, and behavior.
  • Anonymity: VPN, Tor, or proxy services hide your real IP from websites.

Advanced IP Concepts

CIDR Notation

CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation expresses IP address ranges compactly using slash notation.

  • Format: 192.168.1.0/24 where /24 indicates the number of network bits.
  • Example: 192.168.1.0/24 = 256 addresses (192.168.1.0 to 192.168.1.255).
  • Common ranges: /8 = 16 million IPs, /16 = 65,536 IPs, /24 = 256 IPs, /32 = single IP.
  • Subnetting: Networks are divided into smaller subnets using CIDR (e.g., /24 into two /25 subnets).

IP Reputation and Blacklisting

IPs can develop "reputations" based on activity, affecting email delivery, access to services, and security screening.

  • Email blacklists: IPs sending spam get blacklisted (Spamhaus, SORBS), blocking email delivery.
  • Abuse history: IPs previously used for attacks may be blocked by firewalls.
  • Shared IP risk: VPN/proxy IPs used by many users may be blocked due to abuse by others.
  • Check reputation: Use tools like MXToolbox, AbuseIPDB, or IPVoid to check IP reputation.

Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT)

Some ISPs use CGNAT, where multiple customers share a single public IP at the ISP level (double NAT).

  • Identification: Your router gets a private IP (100.64.0.0/10 range) instead of a public IP.
  • Limitation: Port forwarding doesn't work โ€” you cannot host services from home.
  • Impact: Some gaming, P2P, or VoIP applications may have connectivity issues.
  • Solution: Request a public IP from ISP (may cost extra) or use IPv6 (not behind CGNAT).

How to Change Your IP Address

Method 1: Reconnect Your Modem (Dynamic IP)

For dynamic IPs, disconnecting your modem may trigger a new IP assignment from your ISP.

  • Steps: Unplug modem power, wait 5-10 minutes (lease must expire), plug back in, wait for connection.
  • Success rate: 50-80% depending on ISP lease policies.
  • Faster method: Use router admin panel to "Release" and "Renew" DHCP lease.

Method 2: Use a VPN

VPNs route your traffic through remote servers, changing your apparent IP and location instantly.

  • Providers: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, Mullvad, etc.
  • Server choice: Select from thousands of servers in 50+ countries.
  • Speed impact: Expect 10-50% speed reduction due to encryption overhead and routing.
  • Privacy benefit: Hides your real IP from websites and encrypts traffic from ISP.

Method 3: Switch Networks

Connecting to a different network instantly changes your public IP.

  • Mobile hotspot: Use cellular data connection (different ISP, different IP).
  • Public Wi-Fi: Connect to coffee shop, library, or other public networks.
  • Tethering: Share your phone's mobile data with your computer.

Method 4: Contact Your ISP

Request a new IP from your ISP, or upgrade to a static IP if you need a permanent address.

  • Dynamic IP release: ISP support can manually release your current IP and assign a new one.
  • Static IP upgrade: Business plans offer static IPs (costs $5-50/month extra).

Privacy and Security Best Practices

  • Don't share your IP publicly: Posting your IP in forums, social media, or public chats exposes you to port scans and targeted attacks.
  • Use firewall rules: Configure router firewall to block unsolicited inbound connections.
  • Enable UPnP cautiously: Universal Plug and Play can open ports automatically but creates security risks. Disable if not needed.
  • Monitor access logs: Check router logs periodically for unexpected connection attempts.
  • Use VPN on public Wi-Fi: Public networks expose your traffic to sniffing. VPNs encrypt connections.
  • Rotate VPN servers: Change VPN server location periodically to reduce tracking and fingerprinting.
  • Combine Tor + VPN: For maximum anonymity, use Tor over VPN (VPN โ†’ Tor โ†’ Internet).
  • Check for leaks: Use WebRTC leak test and DNS leak test tools to ensure your VPN isn't leaking your real IP.
  • Disable WebRTC in browser: WebRTC can leak your local IP even when using VPN. Use browser extensions to block it.
  • Use privacy-focused DNS: Switch from ISP DNS to encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT) like Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or Quad9.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: No IPv6 Address Shown

  • Cause: Your ISP, router, or device doesn't support or enable IPv6.
  • Solution: Check router settings for IPv6 enable/disable toggle. Contact ISP to confirm IPv6 support. Test on another network (mobile data often has IPv6).
  • Impact: No impact on most browsing, but some modern services (Google, Facebook, Netflix) prefer IPv6 for performance.

Issue: Location Shows Wrong City or Country

  • Cause: IP geolocation databases are outdated or ISP routes through distant hubs.
  • Solution: This is normal and expected. Geolocation is approximate, not GPS-accurate. Use VPN to change apparent location if needed.
  • Report inaccuracy: Some geolocation providers (MaxMind, IPinfo) allow reporting incorrect data.

Issue: IP Changes Frequently

  • Cause: ISP uses short DHCP lease times or you frequently reboot your modem/router.
  • Solution: Upgrade to static IP if you need consistency. Use Dynamic DNS (DDNS) services to map changing IP to a hostname.
  • DDNS services: No-IP, DynDNS, Cloudflare, many routers have built-in DDNS clients.

Issue: Different Devices Show Different Public IPs

  • Cause: One device is on cellular/VPN while another is on Wi-Fi, or network segmentation.
  • Solution: Ensure all devices are on the same network (same Wi-Fi SSID). Check for rogue DHCP servers or VLANs.

Issue: IP Lookup Fails or Times Out

  • Cause: Firewall blocking outbound requests, DNS resolution failure, or IP lookup service down.
  • Solution: Check internet connectivity. Try alternative IP lookup sites. Disable browser extensions (ad blockers) temporarily. Check firewall/antivirus settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this my local IP address?

No. This tool shows your public IP address โ€” the address visible to the internet. Your local IP (like 192.168.1.x or 10.0.0.x) is assigned by your router for internal network communication. To find your local IP: Windows (ipconfig), macOS/Linux (ifconfig or ip addr).

Why does my IP change after rebooting my router?

Most ISPs use DHCP to assign dynamic IP addresses from a pool. When your modem reconnects, it may receive a different IP from the pool. This is normal behavior for residential connections. If you need a consistent IP, request a static IP from your ISP (usually requires business plan).

Does this tool store or log my IP address?

No. This tool runs entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. IP lookup requests go directly from your browser to IP information APIs (like ipify.org). We do not store, log, or track any IP addresses checked using this tool.

How can I change my public IP address?

For dynamic IPs: Unplug your modem for 5-10 minutes to force a new DHCP lease, or use your router's admin panel to release/renew. Instant change: Use a VPN or switch networks (mobile hotspot, public Wi-Fi). Permanent change: Contact ISP to request a new IP or upgrade to a static IP.

Why do I only see IPv4 and not IPv6?

Your ISP or network may not support IPv6 yet. As of 2026, about 40-50% of global internet traffic uses IPv6, but many ISPs (especially in North America) haven't fully deployed it. Check router settings for IPv6 enable/disable options. Mobile networks (4G/5G) typically have IPv6 support.

Can someone hack me if they know my IP address?

Knowing your IP alone doesn't enable hacking, but it's the first step in reconnaissance. With your IP, attackers can: scan for open ports, attempt DDoS attacks, or probe for vulnerabilities. Protection: Use a router firewall (enabled by default), keep firmware updated, don't expose unnecessary services (disable port forwarding if not needed), and use VPN when on public networks.

What is ASN (Autonomous System Number)?

An ASN is a unique identifier for networks on the internet, used in BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) routing. Large organizations (ISPs, cloud providers, enterprises) have their own ASNs. For example: AS15169 is Google, AS16509 is Amazon AWS, AS13335 is Cloudflare. ASN information helps identify who owns and operates the network your IP is assigned to.

Why does my VPN show a different country than I selected?

IP geolocation databases may be outdated or incorrect. Some VPN providers route traffic through regional hubs that differ from the exit server location. For example, a "Canada" VPN server might route through US infrastructure first. Check your VPN's server status page or contact support if the location is consistently wrong.

Can websites see my local IP (192.168.x.x)?

Generally no โ€” websites see only your public IP. However, WebRTC (used for video calls in browsers) can leak your local IP even when using VPN. Use WebRTC leak test tools to check. Disable WebRTC in browser settings or use extensions like "WebRTC Leak Prevent" to block leaks.

What is Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) and how does it affect me?

CGNAT is when your ISP places multiple customers behind a single public IP (NAT at ISP level). You can identify CGNAT if your router's WAN IP is in the 100.64.0.0/10 range instead of a public IP. Limitations: Cannot host services (port forwarding doesn't work), some gaming/P2P apps have issues. Solution: Request a public IP from ISP or use IPv6 (not behind CGNAT).

How accurate is IP-based geolocation?

Country: 95-99% accurate. Region/State: 75-90% accurate. City: 50-80% accurate (can be off by 25-100+ km). Coordinates: Often point to ISP hubs, not your exact location. Mobile networks are especially inaccurate, showing carrier hub locations. For precise location, GPS is needed, not IP geolocation.

Practical Guide

Use this checklist to get reliable results from My IP Information and avoid common errors.

Common Use Cases

  • Confirm your public IP after network changes.
  • Check IPv6 availability on your current connection.
  • Provide IP details for allowlist requests.

Input Checklist

  • Run tests on a stable connection and note whether VPN is enabled.
  • Close heavy downloads or streaming tabs before running checks.
  • Repeat the test at least twice to confirm consistency.

Expected Output Checklist

  • Connection metrics that can be compared across repeated checks.
  • Actionable hints for troubleshooting route, DNS, or endpoint issues.
  • A quick baseline that helps verify whether the issue is local or external.

Privacy and Data Handling

Network checks run in your browser and share only the minimum data needed to display results.