Understanding Your Router IP Address: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn what your router’s IP address is, how to find it on different devices, and how it differs from your public IP.
What Is a Router IP Address?
Your router IP address—sometimes called the default gateway—is the address your devices use to send traffic out of your local network. It usually looks like 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or another private IP in the 10.x.x.x or 172.16.x.x ranges.
This address is also typically how you access the router’s management interface to change Wi‑Fi settings, update firmware, and configure advanced features like port forwarding or parental controls.
How to Find Your Router IP on Common Systems
On Windows, you can run ipconfig in a Command Prompt and look for the “Default Gateway” field under your active adapter. On macOS and Linux, commands like netstat -nr, ip route, or viewing network preferences will reveal the gateway address.
On mobile devices, check Wi‑Fi connection details in settings; the router IP is often listed as “Router,” “Gateway,” or a similar label. Once you know the address, enter it into a browser to reach the admin page, assuming remote access is enabled on the LAN.
Router IP vs. Public IP Address
The router IP you use locally is different from the public IP the internet sees. The router typically has a private address on the LAN side and either a public IP or another private IP on the WAN side, depending on your ISP’s design.
Understanding this distinction helps when setting up remote access or troubleshooting connectivity: you change Wi‑Fi settings at the router’s local IP, but port forwards and external access rely on the public IP assigned by your provider.