IP Address Info

Understanding IP Addresses

An IP Address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies a computer on a network using the Internet Protocol. Just as your phone number allows others to call you, an IP address allows devices to find and communicate with each other over the internet.

IPv4 vs. IPv6

There are currently two versions of IP addresses in use:

• IPv4: The older, most common format (e.g., 192.168.1.1). It uses 32-bit addresses, allowing for about 4.3 billion unique addresses. While this was once enough, the internet has exhausted this pool.
• IPv6: The newer standard, designed to replace IPv4. It uses 128-bit addresses, providing an astronomically larger number of unique combinations. This ensures the internet can continue to grow as billions of new devices come online.

Public vs. Private IP

The IP address shown by this tool is your Public IP address. This is the address your ISP assigns to your router to communicate with the outside world.

• Private IP: Devices inside your home network (your phone, laptop, printer) usually have private IPs (like 192.168.x.x). These are not routable on the open internet.
• Dynamic vs. Static: Most home internet plans use Dynamic IPs, meaning your public IP changes periodically (like every few weeks). Businesses often pay extra for a Static IP because it is required for hosting servers or remote access.

Privacy & Tracking

Websites often use IP addresses to approximate a user's location. However, this is not the same as GPS tracking.

IP geolocation works by looking up the registered location of the ISP. It is usually accurate to the city level but cannot pinpoint your exact physical location on a street map. Additionally, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) masks your real IP and shows the IP of the VPN server instead, providing a layer of privacy.