If your Mac computer is connected to a network, it is assigned an address on the network called an IP address. An IP address consists of a series of four digits separated by periods, a maximum of three digits per set. If your Mac is connected to a network as well as the internet, it will have an internal IP address that marks its location on the local network, as well as an external IP which is the IP address of your internet connection. Follow this guide to find both addresses.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Finding Your Internal IP (OS X 10.5 and Later)
Step 1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen
Step 2. Scroll down and select System Preferences.
Step 3. Click Network
You will find this section in the third row.
Step 4. Select your connection
Generally you will be connected to the network via AirPort (wireless), or Ethernet (with cable). The connection you are using will mark Connected beside him. Your IP address will be listed just below the connection status, in smaller print.
Your active connection will generally be selected automatically
Method 2 of 4: Finding Your Internal IP (OS X 10.4)
Step 1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen
Step 2. Scroll down and select System Preferences.
Step 3. Click Network
You will find this section in the third row.
Step 4. Select your connection
You can select the connection you want using that IP address in the dropdown menu Show. If you have a wired connection, select Built-in Ethernet. If you have a wireless connection, select AirPort.
Step 5. Click the TCP/IP tab
Your IP address can be found in the settings window.
Method 3 of 4: Finding Your Internal IP Using Terminal
Step 1. Open Terminal
This terminal can be found in the section Utilities on the folder Application You.
Step 2. Use the ifconfig command
The normal ifconfig command will result in a lot of unnecessary data showing up and a bit of confusion. The following command will get rid of the unnecessary stuff and display your internal IP address:
ifconfig | grep "inet" | grep -v 127.0.0.1
This command removes the 127.0.0.1 entry, which will always appear no matter what device you are using. This is a feedback cycle, and should be ignored when searching for an IP address
Step 3. Copy your IP address
Your IP address will be displayed next to the “inet” entry.
Method 4 of 4: Finding Your External IP
Step 1. Go to your router's configuration page
Almost all routers are accessible via a web interface where you can read and adjust settings. Open the web interface by entering your router's IP address into the browser box. Check your router's documentation for a specific address. The most common router addresses are:
- 192.168.1.1
- 192.168.0.1
- 192.168.2.1
Step 2. Go to Your Router Status
The location of the external IP address will vary from router to router. Generally this address is listed on Router Status or WAN (Wide Area Network) Status.
- Under Internet Port in Router Status, your IP address should be there. This IP address consists of a 4-digit string, which has a maximum of three digits per set
- This is your router's IP address. All connections made through your router will have this IP address.
- This IP address is assigned to you from your internet service provider. Most external IP addresses are dynamic, meaning they change over time. This address can be hidden using a proxy.
Step 3. Do a Google search with the keyword “ip address”
The first result shown is your external or public IP address.
Tips
- When you are done using the terminal, you can type exit, but this will not close the terminal window. To do so, you need to use the top menu bar, Terminal -> Close.
- If you want the Terminal window to be easier to use, drag it to the tool dock section.
- To find out your IP address on a computer, read the related Wikihow.
