Public IP vs Private IP

Your public IP address is the address websites see when your connection reaches the internet. Your private IP address is used inside your home, office, or local network.

Most routers use both. The router has a public-facing connection from your ISP, and it gives private addresses to your phone, laptop, TV, and other devices.

Private IP addresses

Private IPs often look like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x. These addresses are not directly reachable from the public internet. Many homes can use the same private address ranges because they only matter inside each local network.

Public IP addresses

Your public IP is globally routable. It may be assigned by your ISP, mobile carrier, VPN provider, workplace, or datacentre. Websites, apps, and online services can usually see it.

Why this matters

If you want to know what websites see, check your public IP. If you are troubleshooting home WiFi, printer sharing, or router settings, private IPs may matter more.

Related: open My IP Address and read what an IP address is.