How to Find Your IP Address on a Mac

This updated guide examines How to Find Your IP Address on a Mac and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 4:

Finding Your Internal IP (OS X 10.5 and Newer)

1. Click on the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Scroll down and select System Preferences.
3. Click Network. This should be on the third row.
4. Select your connection. Typically you will be connected to the network via AirPort (wireless), or Ethernet (wired). The connection you are using will say Connected next to it. Your IP address will be listed directly beneath your connection status, in smaller print.
   • Your active connection will typically be selected by default.

Method 2of 4:

Finding Your Internal IP (OS X 10.4)

1. Click on the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Scroll down and select System Preferences.
3. Click Network. This should be on the third row.
4. Select yourconnection. You can select the connection that you want the IP address for in the Show dropdown menu. If you have a wired connection, choose Built-In Ethernet. If you have a wireless connection, choose AirPort.
5. Click the TCP/IP tab. Your IP address will be listed in the settings window.^[1]

Method 3of 4:

Finding Your Internal IP Using the Terminal

1. Open theTerminal. This can be found in the Utilities section of your Application folder.
2. Use the ifconfig command. The normal ifconfig command will result in a lot of data displayed that is not necessary and a little confusing. The following command will remove most of the unnecessary stuff and display your internal IP address: ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1^[2]
   • This command removes the 127.0.0.1 entry, which will always appear regardless of the machine you are using. This is the feedback loop, and can be ignored when looking for the IP address.
3. Copy your IP address. Your IP address will be displayed next to the 'inet' entry.

Method 4of 4:

Finding Your External IP

1. Open yourrouter's configuration page. Almost all routers can be accessed through a web interface where you can see and adjust settings. Open the internet interface by entering the router's IP address into a web browser. Check your router's documentation for the specific address. The most common router addresses are:
   • 192.168.1.1
   • 192.168.0.1
   • 192.168.2.1
2. Open your Router Status. The location of the external IP address will vary from router to router. Most have it listed in the Router Status or WAN (Wide Area Network) Status.^[3]
   • Under Internet Port in the Router Status, your IP address should be listed. The IP address is 4 sets of digits, with up to three digits per set.
   • This is the IP address of your router. Any connections made out of your router will have this address.
   • This IP address is assigned to you by your internet service provider. Most external IP addresses are dynamic, which means they change from time to time. This address can be masked using proxies.
3. Google search 'ip address'. The first result displayed will be your external, or public, IP address.