What is a Public IP Address?
A public IP address is the unique, internet-facing address that identifies your connection to the rest of the internet. Every time you load a website, the server needs somewhere to send the response — and that destination is your public IP. The address is assigned to you by whatever sits between you and the wider internet: your home internet provider, a mobile carrier, an office network, or a VPN or proxy service if you use one. This tool simply reports the public address that external services currently see when you connect.
IP addresses come in two versions. IPv4 looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 203.0.113.42. Because the world ran out of free IPv4 addresses years ago, IPv6 was introduced — a much longer format like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 with an effectively unlimited supply. Your connection may have one or both.
How to Use This Tool
- Open the page — your current public IP address is detected and displayed automatically.
- Read the address shown; this is what websites and online services see.
- Click Copy to put the address on your clipboard.
- Paste it where it is needed — a support ticket, a firewall allow-list, or a server configuration.
- Reload the page after reconnecting or switching networks to see whether the address changed.
Public IP vs. Local IP, and Why It Changes
It is important not to confuse your public IP with your local IP. The localIP — often something like 192.168.1.10 — is assigned by your router and is used only inside your home or office network so devices can talk to each other. It is not visible on the internet. The public IP is the single address your whole network shares when reaching the outside world. This tool reports the public one, because that is the address external services actually use.
Most home connections have a dynamic public IP, meaning the provider can change it — after a router restart, a lease renewal, or at intervals of their choosing. A static IP stays fixed and is usually a paid business option. Knowing your current public IP is genuinely useful in everyday situations: allow-listing your address for a remote server or admin panel, troubleshooting why a service is geoblocked, confirming that a VPN is actually routing your traffic, or giving accurate information to a support team. A practical note on privacy — your public IP reveals your approximate region and your provider, but not your name, home address, or browsing history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my IP address change?
Most providers issue dynamic addresses, so your public IP can change after a router reboot or a lease renewal. If you need a permanent address, ask your provider about a static IP.
Can someone find my exact location from my IP?
No. An IP address maps only to an approximate area — typically a city or region — and to your internet provider. It does not reveal your street address or identity.
Why does the tool show a different IP than I expect?
If you use a VPN or proxy, the address shown is the VPN's exit server, not your real connection. That is the address websites see, which is exactly what this tool is designed to report.
Is my IP address stored by this tool?
No. The address is detected, displayed in your browser, and not saved. Corexo does not log or retain your IP for this tool.