An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet. Think of it as your digital postal address - it tells other devices and websites where to send information back to you. There are two main types: IPv4 (like 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

A public IP address is visible to the entire internet and is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is what websites see when you visit them. A private IP address is used within your local network (home/office) and is not directly accessible from the internet. Your router assigns private IPs to devices in your network and translates between public and private addresses.

Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses, which means your ISP can change your IP address periodically. This helps ISPs manage their address pool more efficiently. However, if you restart your modem/router, switch networks, or your ISP rotates addresses, your IP may change. Businesses often pay for static IP addresses that don't change.

IP addresses can provide a general location (city/region level), but they cannot pinpoint your exact physical address. The location data is based on your ISP's records and may not be perfectly accurate. However, law enforcement agencies can request more detailed information from ISPs with proper legal authorization.

Yes! What's My IP? is completely free to use. We provide this service to help users quickly identify their public IP address and connection details. The service is supported by optional donations and doesn't require any registration or payment.

Location information is generally accurate to the city or regional level, but may not reflect your exact location. The data comes from IP geolocation databases that map IP ranges to geographic locations based on ISP registrations. Factors like VPNs, proxies, or mobile connections can affect accuracy.

We only store minimal server logs for security and performance monitoring purposes. We do not permanently store your IP address or create user profiles. Please see our Privacy Policy for complete details about data handling.

Yes! We provide a JSON API for developers. Check our API Documentation for details on endpoints, rate limits, and example usage. The API is free with reasonable rate limiting to ensure service quality for all users.

Your IP address is already visible to every website you visit, so checking it here doesn't create additional exposure. However, you should be aware that your IP can reveal your general location and ISP. If you're concerned about privacy, consider using a VPN service to mask your real IP address.

You can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network), proxy server, or Tor browser to mask your real IP address. VPNs are the most reliable option, encrypting your traffic and routing it through servers in different locations. Some browsers also offer built-in proxy features for basic privacy protection.

IPv6 is the newer version of the Internet Protocol, designed to replace IPv4 due to address exhaustion. IPv6 addresses are much longer and can provide more specific location information. Most modern devices and networks support both IPv4 and IPv6. Our service detects and displays both when available.