What is an IP Address?
A short guide to understanding IP addresses and how they work.
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique string of numbers — and sometimes letters in IPv6 — that identifies your device on a network. When you visit a website or send data online, your IP is used so that responses can be sent back to you.
Why does my IP matter?
Websites and services see your IP to know where to send data, to detect your approximate location (country or region), and sometimes to enforce access rules. You can check your current IP here.
IPv4 vs IPv6
Most home connections still use IPv4 (e.g. 192.168.1.1). The internet is also moving to IPv6 to support more devices. You can read more in our IPv4 vs IPv6 guide.