Guide

What is an IP address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to every device that connects to a network using the Internet Protocol. It serves two main functions: identifying the host or network interface, and providing the location of that host so that data can be routed to it.

Public vs private IP addresses

A public IP address is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and is visible to the wider internet — it is the one shown on our home page. A private IP address (like 192.168.1.10) is used inside your home or office network and is not directly reachable from the internet.

IPv4 vs IPv6

• IPv4: 32-bit addresses written as four numbers, e.g. 203.0.113.5. Around 4.3 billion possible addresses.
• IPv6: 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal, e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. Effectively unlimited.

Static vs dynamic IP addresses

A dynamic IP address can change over time — most home connections use these, with the ISP reassigning addresses periodically. A static IP address stays the same and is commonly used for servers, remote access and hosting websites.

How does IP geolocation work?

Geolocation services maintain large databases that map ranges of IP addresses to the regions where ISPs have registered them. This is how a website can guess your city or country. It is approximate — it reflects your provider's infrastructure rather than your exact position, and it never reveals your name or street address on its own.