Find the IP Address Using Command Prompt – Step-by-Step Guide

October 8, 2025

Introduction
Understanding IP Address
Why You Might Need to Find Your IP Address
How to Open Command Prompt in Windows
Find Your IP Address Using Command Prompt
Internal vs External IP Address
Advanced CMD Commands for Network Info
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Tips for Better Network Management
Conclusion
FAQs

Introduction

Knowing how to find the IP address using Command Prompt is a fundamental skill for anyone working with computers, networks, or even simple troubleshooting tasks. Your IP address, or Internet Protocol address, is a unique number assigned to your device that identifies how to find the IP address using Command Prompt on a network. It acts like a digital home address, allowing devices to communicate with one another on the internet or within a local network.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about how to find the IP address using Command Prompt (CMD) on Windows. Whether you’re a beginner looking to understand the basics or a tech-savvy user wanting advanced network commands, this guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions, commands, tips, and troubleshooting strategies.

Understanding IP Address

Before you learn how to find the IP address using command prompt, it’s essential to understand what an IP address is. IP stands for Internet Protocol, a set of rules that govern how data is sent and received over the internet or a local network. Each device on a network — computers, smartphones, printers, servers — has a unique IP address.

Types of IP Addresses

IPv4: The most commonly used IP format (e.g., 192.168.1.1). It consists of four sets of numbers separated by dots.
IPv6: A newer version designed to replace IPv4, using hexadecimal numbers (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

Public vs Private IP

Private IP: Assigned by your router to devices within your local network (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
Public IP: Assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and used to communicate over the internet.

Why You Might Need to Find Your IP Address

There are many reasons why knowing how to find the IP address using Command Prompt is essential. Here are a follow

Network Troubleshooting: Identify connectivity issues and resolve them faster.
Remote Access: Connect to your device remotely using its IP address.
Device Configuration: Configure network devices like printers, cameras, and servers.
Security Monitoring: Monitor incoming and outgoing traffic for suspicious activity.
Custom Networking: Set up custom networks, static IPs, or advanced firewall rules.

How to Open Command Prompt in Windows

Before how to find the IP address using Command Prompt, we need to open the Command Prompt. Here are a few ways:

Method 1: Using the Start Menu

Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
Type cmd or Command Prompt.
Click on the Command Prompt app to open it.

Method 2: Using Run Dialog

Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
Type cmd and press Enter.

Method 3: Using Windows Terminal (Optional)

If you are using Windows 10 or 11, you can also use the Windows Terminal and open a CMD tab.

How to Find Your IP Address Using Command Prompt

Now that the Command Prompt is open, let’s execute how to find the IP address using Command Prompt

Step-by-Step Guide

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig

This command will display detailed network configuration information for all network adapters on your computer.

Understanding the Output

Look for the following lines in the output:

IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

IPv4 Address: This is your device’s local (private) IP address.
Default Gateway: Usually your router’s IP address.

Finding Internal vs External IP Address

how to find the IP address using Command Prompt

Using ipconfig will give you your internal IP address. However, if you want your public IP address, you need a different approach.

Find Public IP Using Command Prompt

Although CMD does not directly show your public IP, you can use the following how to find the IP address using Command Prompt to fetch it from an external service:

nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com

The output will show your public IP under the Address section.

Advanced CMD Commands for Network Info

1. Using `getmac`

This command shows your network adapter’s MAC address, useful for network configuration:

getmac

2. Using `netstat`

Shows active network connections and ports:

netstat -an

3. Using `tracert`

Track the path data takes to reach a destination:

tracert google.com

Tips for Better Network Management

Use a static IP for devices that need consistent network access.
Regularly monitor your network for unusual activity.
Use VPN services to mask your public IP for privacy.
Understand how IP conflicts occur and resolve them quickly.

Conclusion

Learning how to find the IP address using command prompt is an essential skill that empowers you to troubleshoot network issues, configure devices, and improve online security. With just a simple ipconfig command, you can quickly retrieve vital network details, while advanced commands unlock even more control and insight into your network environment.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, mastering these techniques ensures you stay connected, secure, and efficient in an increasingly networked world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to find the IP address using Command Prompt?

Open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Press Enter. IP address will appear next to “IPv4 Address”.

2. What is the difference between public and private IP?

A private IP is assigned to your device within your local network, while a public IP is assigned by your ISP and is used on the internet.

3. Can I find someone else’s IP address using CMD?

No, CMD can only show IP addresses of your own device or connected devices in your local network. External IP tracking requires different tools and legal permissions.

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