What is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a network. Think of it like a postal address for your computer - it tells other devices where to send data.
Every time you visit a website, send an email, or stream a video, your device's IP address is used to route data to and from your device.
IPv4 vs IPv6
IPv4
- 32-bit address
- About 4.3 billion possible addresses
- Four groups of numbers (0-255)
- Separated by dots
- Still the most common format
IPv6
- 128-bit address
- 340 undecillion possible addresses
- Eight groups of hexadecimal
- Separated by colons
- Designed to replace IPv4
IPv4 addresses are running out due to the explosive growth of internet-connected devices. IPv6 was created to provide a virtually unlimited supply of unique addresses.
Public vs Private IP Addresses
Public IP Address
Your public IP is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is visible to websites you visit. It's unique across the entire internet.
This is the IP address shown on our homepage.
Private IP Address
Used within local networks (home, office). Multiple devices can share the same private IP range because they're not directly connected to the internet.
Common ranges: 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, 172.16-31.x.x
Static vs Dynamic IP
Static IP
A permanent IP address that doesn't change. Often used by businesses for servers, websites, and services that need a consistent address.
Dynamic IP
Assigned temporarily by your ISP and can change periodically. Most home internet connections use dynamic IPs.
What Your IP Address Reveals
Your IP address can reveal:
- Geographic location: City, region, and country (approximate)
- ISP: Your Internet Service Provider
- Connection type: Residential, business, mobile, etc.
- Organization: If you're on a corporate or institutional network
However, an IP address alone typically cannot identify you personally or reveal your exact street address.
How IP Geolocation Works
IP geolocation databases map IP address ranges to geographic locations based on:
- ISP registration information
- Regional Internet Registry (RIR) data
- User-submitted data and surveys
- Network routing information
Accuracy varies from city-level to country-level depending on the region and ISP.