When your Mac is connected to a network it is assigned a network address called 'IP address'. This parameter consists of four groups of numbers separated by a period. Each group consists of up to three digits. If your Mac is connected to a network such as the internet it will have two addresses: a local one that will identify the computer within the LAN, and a public one that will identify it on the web and which will correspond to the IP address of your internet connection. Read the steps in this tutorial to find out both.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Identify the Local IP Address (OS X 10.5 and Later)
Step 1. Click on the apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen
Step 2. Scroll through the menu items and select System Preferences
Step 3. Click Network
It should be the third option.
Step 4. Select your connection
Normally you should be connected via the AirPort (Wi-Fi) or Ethernet (wired) interface. The interface in use will have the word 'Connected' next to the name. Your IP address will be displayed in the 'Status' section of your connection.
Normally the interface that has an active network connection is selected automatically
Method 2 of 4: Identify the Local IP Address (OS X 10.4)
Step 1. Click on the apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen
Step 2. Scroll through the menu items and select System Preferences
Step 3. Click Network
It should be the third option.
Step 4. Select your connection
You can select the connection whose IP address you want to know by clicking on the 'Show' drop-down menu. If it is a cable connection, select 'Built-In Ethernet'. If you are using a wi-fi connection, select 'AirPort'.
Step 5. Choose the 'TCP / IP' tab
Your IP address will be listed in the settings window.
Method 3 of 4: Identify the Local IP Address Using the Terminal
Step 1. Open a 'Terminal' window
You can find the application in the 'Utilities' section of the 'Applications' folder.
Step 2. Use the 'ifconfig' command
The 'ifconfig' command usually displays a large amount of unnecessary data for your purpose, which can be a bit confusing. The following command deletes most of the unnecessary information, showing you your local IP address:
ifconfig | grep "inet" | grep -v 127.0.0.1
This command removes the information relating to the '127.0.0.1' interface, which will always appear regardless of the machine used. This is a system interface that can be ignored if you are trying to find out your Mac's IP address
Step 3. Make a note of your local IP address
The value assigned to your IP address will be shown in the information section for the 'inet' interface.
Method 4 of 4: Identify Your Public IP Address
Step 1. Access the configuration page of your modem / router
Most routers can be configured through a web interface where all configuration parameters are shown. Access the interface by typing your router's IP address into your web browser's address bar. Check your router's documentation to find out which IP address to use. Normally your router's local IP address should be one of these:
- 192.168.1.1
- 192.168.0.1
- 192.168.2.1
Step 2. Go to the section showing the 'Status' of your router
The precise location where this information is shown varies by device model. Many routers report this information in the 'Router Status' or 'WAN Status' section.
- You should find your router's public IP address under 'Internet Port' in the 'Router Status' section. The IP address consists of four groups of numbers separated by a period, where each group consists of up to three digits.
- This value is the public IP address of your router. All connections of the router to the outside will have this IP address.
- This parameter is assigned to the router directly by your internet connection manager (ISP). Normally these addresses are assigned dynamically, which means they can vary over time. This address can be 'hidden' using a proxy server.
Step 3. Do a Google search by typing the words 'ip address'
The first result on the list should be your public IP address.
Advice
- If you want to know your IP address on Windows, use the websites listed in the 'Sources and Citations' section.
- When you're done using the Terminal, you can type exit, but the window won't close. To do this, you need to use the top menu bar, terminal -> close
- If you want to have the Terminal window more handy, just drag it to the dock.
