What is My IP Address? (Complete Beginner’s Guide)

Your IP address is the digital return address for your internet connection. When you visit a website, your device sends packets of data. Those packets contain the IP address that the website should reply to.

Public vs Private IP

Most people have two kinds of IP addresses:

• Private IP — Used inside your home or office (192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, etc.). Assigned by your router.
• Public IP — The address your ISP gives you. This is what SeeMyIP and every website sees.

Why it matters for privacy

Your public IP can reveal your approximate city, ISP, and sometimes more. This is why many people use VPNs when they want to hide their real location or protect themselves on public Wi-Fi.

IPv4 vs IPv6

IPv4 addresses are running out. IPv6 provides an almost unlimited number of addresses and is being rapidly adopted around the world.