You’re sitting there, trying to set up a printer or maybe just trying to figure out why your Plex server isn't connecting, and you realize you need those four little numbers. Finding a way to look up ip address on mac sounds like something only "tech people" do, but it’s actually incredibly simple once you stop looking at the scary Terminal icons.
Most people don't realize they actually have two different identities online. You have a local IP—that's how your Mac talks to your router—and a public IP, which is how the entire world sees you. If you get these two mixed up, nothing you try to configure is going to work. Trust me, I've spent hours troubleshooting a network only to realize I was giving the software my internal address when it wanted the external one. It's annoying.
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The Quickest Way via System Settings
If you’re running macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia, Apple changed the layout. It looks more like an iPhone now. This throws people off.
First, click that Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. Hit System Settings. Once that window pops up, look at the sidebar. You’re looking for Network. It usually has a little blue globe icon or a Wi-Fi symbol next to it.
Once you're in there, you’ll see your connections. If you’re on Wi-Fi, click the "Wi-Fi" row. Now, here is the part everyone misses: you have to click the Details button next to the network you’re currently connected to. A sub-window slides down, and right there, usually near the top, it says "IP Address."
That’s your local IP. It probably looks something like 192.168.1.15 or 10.0.0.something.
What if you’re using an older Mac?
If your Mac is a bit older and still uses "System Preferences," the path is slightly different. You’ll go to System Preferences > Network, select your connection on the left, and the IP is usually listed in small text right under the "Status: Connected" message. No extra clicking required. Apple actually made it more clicks in the newer versions, which is a bit of a head-scratcher, honestly.
Using the Terminal for Bragging Rights (and Speed)
Sometimes the GUI is just slow. Or maybe you want to feel like a 90s movie hacker. Either way, the Terminal is actually the fastest way to look up ip address on mac if you know the magic words.
Open Terminal. You can find it in Applications > Utilities, or just hit Command + Space and type "Terminal."
Type this exactly:ipconfig getifaddr en0
If you are on Wi-Fi, en0 is usually the right interface. If you’re plugged into Ethernet, it might be en1. Hit enter. Boom. Your local IP address appears instantly. No windows, no tabs, no "Details" buttons.
Why would you ever do this?
Imagine you’re helping a friend over the phone. Telling them to click five different menus is a nightmare. Telling them to copy-paste one line of text is a lifesaver. Plus, if your System Settings app is hanging (it happens!), the Terminal usually stays responsive.
The "What Is My Public IP" Confusion
This is where things get tricky. The steps above show you your internal address. That address is private. It only exists inside your house or office. If you try to use that address to let a friend in another city connect to your Mac, it won't work.
To find your public IP—the one the rest of the internet sees—you don't even need your Mac’s settings.
- Open Safari or Chrome.
- Type "What is my IP" into Google.
- Google will literally just tell you.
You can also use sites like ifconfig.me or icanhazip.com. If you want to do it in the Terminal to keep that "hacker" vibe going, type:curl ifconfig.me
This sends a tiny request to a server that looks at your connection and shouts your public IP back at you. It’s useful for verifying if your VPN is actually working. If you turn your VPN on and that number doesn't change, your VPN is lying to you.
Understanding IPv4 vs. IPv6
You might notice two different looking addresses. One is a short string of numbers (IPv4), and the other is a long, confusing mix of numbers and letters (IPv6).
IPv4: 192.168.1.5
IPv6: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
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We ran out of the short numbers years ago because there are so many devices on earth now. IPv6 is the solution. Most modern Macs will show both. For 99% of home networking tasks, like port forwarding for a game or connecting to a printer, you’re going to want the IPv4 address. It’s just easier to handle.
Common Myths About Your Mac's IP
People think your IP address is like a GPS coordinate for your house. It's not.
While a public IP can show what city you're in, it rarely shows your exact street address unless someone has a subpoena for your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your local IP (the 192.168 one) is even more anonymous—basically every third person in the world has a device with that same local IP address. It only matters inside your specific Wi-Fi network.
Another misconception: "My IP is permanent."
Most of the time, it's not. Unless you have specifically paid your ISP for a "Static IP," your public IP changes every time your router reboots. Similarly, your Mac’s local IP can change unless you set a "DHCP Reservation" in your router settings.
Troubleshooting When You Can't Find It
If you follow these steps and see something like 169.254.x.x, you have a problem. That is what’s called a "Self-Assigned IP." It basically means your Mac is shouting into the void, and your router isn't answering.
When this happens:
- Toggle your Wi-Fi off and back on.
- Restart your router (the classic "unplug it for 30 seconds" move).
- Check if other devices can connect. If your phone works but your Mac doesn't, the issue is definitely the Mac's network stack.
You can also try "Renewing the DHCP Lease." Go back to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details, then click on TCP/IP in the sidebar of that little window. Click the button that says Renew DHCP Lease. This is basically your Mac tapping the router on the shoulder and saying, "Hey, can I get a fresh ID card?"
Finding the Router's IP (The Gateway)
Sometimes you don't actually need your IP; you need the router’s IP so you can log in and change the Wi-Fi password.
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In that same TCP/IP tab where you found your own address, look for the line that says "Router." That is the gateway. Usually, it’s 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you type that number into your browser's address bar, it’ll take you to your router's login page.
Real-World Use Cases
Why does any of this matter for a normal person?
If you want to use Screen Sharing to control your Mac from another room, you need that local IP. If you're a developer and you're running a local server to test a website, you need it. If you're trying to set up a "Network Attached Storage" (NAS) device to back up your photos, you'll be looking at these IP menus a lot.
It’s one of those things that you don’t need until you really need it.
Actionable Next Steps
Now that you know how to look up ip address on mac, take thirty seconds to actually do it.
First, use the System Settings method to find your local address. Write it down or just memorize the last two digits. Then, open your browser and search "What is my IP" to see your public face on the web.
If you see that your address starts with 169, you know your router is acting up and needs a reboot. If you see your public IP is in a different state or country, you’ll know your VPN is active. Understanding these two numbers gives you a lot more control over your digital footprint and your home tech setup.