An IP address is how devices find each other on the internet. You don’t need to understand it to browse — but it helps when you’re setting up a router, remote access, CCTV or gaming.
Public IP address
Your provider gives your connection a public IP address. It’s what every website and app sees when you connect. See yours here. All devices in your home share it.
Private IP addresses
Inside your home, the router gives each device a private address, usually starting with 192.168. or 10.. These only work on your home network. The router translates between private and public addresses — a process called NAT (network address translation).
Router (gateway) address
The router’s own private address is where you log in to change Wi-Fi settings. It’s usually 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1, and it’s often printed on a sticker on the router with the admin username and password.
IPv4 vs IPv6
IPv4 addresses (like 102.65.12.3) ran out years ago, so providers now share them. IPv6 addresses (like 2c0f:fb50:4002::1) are far more plentiful. Many networks support both, and your device picks automatically.
Static vs dynamic
A dynamic IP can change — for example after a router restart. A static IP stays the same and is usually a paid add-on. You need a static IP if you host a server, run some business systems, or need remote access that relies on a fixed address.
CGNAT — why port forwarding sometimes doesn’t work
To save IPv4 addresses, many LTE, 5G and some fibre providers use carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), where many customers share one public IP. Everyday browsing is unaffected, but port forwarding for CCTV, game servers or remote desktop won’t work. Clues: your router’s “WAN IP” starts with 100.64–100.127, 10. or 172.16–31, and doesn’t match the IP shown on our IP page. Ask your provider for a public or static IP if you need incoming connections.
Privacy: what your IP reveals
An IP address reveals your provider and an approximate area — not your name or street address. Websites use it for things like showing local content and preventing fraud. A VPN hides your IP from websites, but your VPN provider then sees your traffic instead, and speeds are often slower.
What's my IP?
See your public IP address and provider.