To find your computer’s public IP address, search "what is my IP" in a browser like Google, which displays your public IP at the top of results. 2. Alternatively, use command-line tools by running curl ifconfig.me in Windows, macOS, or Linux to fetch your public IP via an external service. 3. You can also check your router’s admin panel by accessing its gateway address (e.g., 192.168.1.1), logging in, and looking under WAN or Internet status for the assigned public IP. Your public IP is assigned to your router by your ISP, shared by all local devices, and may change unless static; it can also be shared among users if behind Carrier-Grade NAT.

Finding your computer’s public IP address is straightforward, but it’s important to understand that the public IP address isn’t assigned directly to your computer—it’s assigned to your router by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). All devices on your local network share this public IP when accessing the internet.

Here’s how to find it:

1. Use a Search Engine or Website

The easiest and most reliable method is to ask the internet itself:

• Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
• Go to a search engine like Google and type:
  "what is my IP"
• Press Enter.

Google will display your public IP address at the top of the results.
Alternatively, visit websites like:

• http://ipnx.cn/link/08780eb9b58091a2d4b81a1af602b617
• http://ipnx.cn/link/fafb6206d62f162cb7ba58187fd7d32c
• http://ipnx.cn/link/44b4596c7a979aa7e4fc820c07fd78fe

These sites show the IP address your device appears as to the outside world.

2. Use Command Line (with external service)

If you prefer using the command line, you can still retrieve your public IP by querying an external service:

On Windows: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type:

curl ifconfig.me

On macOS or Linux: Open Terminal and run:

curl ifconfig.me

or

wget -qO- ifconfig.me

This will return your public IP address.

Note: These commands rely on the ifconfig.me service, which is safe and commonly used for this purpose.

3. Check Your Router’s Admin Panel

Your router’s web interface often displays the public IP it has received from the ISP.

• Access your router by typing its local gateway address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a browser.
• Log in with your admin credentials (check your router manual if unsure).
• Look for "WAN Status", "Internet", or "External Network" section.
• The public IP will be listed as the "WAN IP" or "Internet IP".

Keep in mind: This IP may be behind Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) if your ISP uses one, meaning it’s not truly unique.

Important Notes:

• Your public IP can change unless you have a static IP from your ISP.
• Public IP is visible to websites and online services.
• If you're behind a corporate or institutional network, the IP you see may be that of the entire organization.

Basically, just searching “what is my IP” in a browser is all most people need. The other methods are helpful for scripting, troubleshooting, or learning how networks work.

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