What is Router IP Address & How to Find Yours

What are Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses?

Every device that connects to the internet has a unique identification number that acts as a passport. IPs are these numbers—they encapsulate the ability to send and receive information. In this way, some IPs are more important than others.

An endpoint user interacts with many IPs in every internet interaction. For example, the computer user will have:

• A physical device’s IP address
• A network IP address
• A router or host IP address
• A server IP address

After that comes the virtual IP addresses; these can take the form of website IPs, security gateway IPs, software IPs, and endless encryption abilities.

A layperson can generally consider IPs to be endpoints through which interaction via the internet is possible. These endpoints also house vital information in their bits—making them a target for malicious actors.

The Role of a Router IP Address

Unlike device IPs and network IPs, which usually contain one IP address per instance, router IPs have two distinct IPs. Both are necessary to experience the most convenience across multiple devices and connections.

Every router hosts two IP addresses: one is for public exchanges, and the other is for private interactions. Routers bridge the gaps between the public’s internet and your private home networks.

Private router IP addresses are essential to the structure of the internet because private and public IPs cannot interact directly. Further, private IPs can only interact with devices on the same “home” network. Thus, there is a network with your home’s many gadgets, hopefully with a high-security connection.

Public router IP addresses are essential because they are how all devices access the internet. A device sends out information about itself; this information is then filtered through a router and fed into the internet. Responses work the same way but with the end user as the finishing point rather than the starting point.

To visualize this, consider the following model:

[Internet device with private IP address] <=> [Router with private and public IP addresses] <=> [Internet] <=> [Web server or page with public IP address].

What is My IP Address for My Router?

Note: there are different types of ID addresses. One type is IPv4, which looks like 000.000.000.000, but with valid digits in place of the 0s. The other is IPv6, which looks like xxxx::xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxxxx but with valid numbers, letters, and symbols in place of the x’s. Some devices will have both addresses available to use at once.

Finding Your Router IP with Windows

There are two ways to find your router IP address when using Windows.

The first way is by using your computer’s Terminal. After opening the window, type the command “ipconfig /all” to receive a report containing your device’s IP information. Those connected to the internet through Wi-Fi should look under the subject “Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi.” In this format, Windows calls your router IP a default gateway; these are the default router IP addresses used.

Alternatively, Window users can use the less nerve-wracking method of going through the Control Panel. After clicking on Start:

• Enter the “control panel”.
• Click on the desktop app.
• Look for the Network and Internet section.

The first option under this section will be “view network status and tasks”—click this, and the window will change. In this new window, look for Connections on the right. To the right of this will be your connection type. Clicking on your connection will bring up another window called “Wi-Fi Status.” Click on Details, and you will see all the same information that the Terminal would have shown upon prompting. Remember, you’re looking for the default gateway IP for your router address—not the device’s static IP address.

Finding Your Router IP with Mac

Finding your router’s IP on a Mac is straightforward once you know what to look for. Start by clicking the Apple icon in the top left of the screen. From there, select System Preferences, and a window will appear. Find and click on the Network icon in this window, usually at the bottom of the preferences. Select the connected internet option in the new Network window—this may already be established when the window opens. In the bottom right of this window, select the “Advanced…” button. This will bring up the final window, with a row of many tabs. Select the TCP/IP tab, and your router information will be the fourth topic from the top down.

Finding Your Router IP with Linux

If using Linux, you likely already know how to find your router information. If you do not know, look for the network icon in the notification area on the top left of the screen. This icon is two arrows, one pointing up and the other pointing down. Click this icon and select “connection information” from the drop-down menu. A secondary window will open, containing the device’s relevant IP connections. In Linux, the router IP is called the default route.

Finding Your Router IP with Android

Finding a router IP address on Android is difficult. For some reason, the creators at Android chose not to make a way to view network connections using the software on the device. A third-party application is needed to view the information. Depending on the application chosen for this job, the router information is likely called a gateway.

Finding Your Router IP with Chrome Operating System

If using a Chromebook, select the information area on the right of the taskbar. Choose the option that reads “Connected to [Your network].” In the window that appears, select the network tab. In Chromebooks, the router information is called the gateway. This screen can provide helpful information like a subnet mask or an IPv6 address connected to the device.

Finding Your Router IP with iPhone and iPad

iPhones and iPads have some of the most manageable IP information to find. On a device, go to Settings, select Wi-Fi, then tap on the connected network. Ensure that the DHCP tab is highlighted in a new screen entitled your network’s name; the third line is your router IP address.