What is my IP address?

Common questions

Why is this different from the address in my router?

A router shows two. The local address, usually starting 192.168 or 10., only means anything inside your house. The public address is what the rest of the internet sees, and it is the one a friend needs.

What does the port check actually do?

It opens a connection to that port on your public address, from outside your network. If something answers, the port is open and reachable. If nothing does, either no server is listening or the connection is being blocked before it arrives.

The port is closed but my server is running. Why?

Three usual causes, in order of likelihood: your router is not forwarding that port, your firewall is refusing the connection, or your ISP uses carrier grade NAT and no forwarding rule can work at all. The last one is common on mobile and fibre connections and cannot be fixed from your side.

Can I check someone else’s address?

No. The check only runs against the address the request came from. Pointing a port scanner at other people’s machines is not something this site is going to help with.

Does my address change?

Usually yes. Most home connections get a dynamic address that changes when the router reconnects, which is why an address you shared with friends last month may not reach you today.