What Is an IP Address?

Understanding Your IP Address

Every device connected to the internet has an IP address (Internet Protocol address). It works like a mailing address for your computer, phone, or tablet, allowing websites, apps, and online services to send information back to you. When you visit IPBoop.com, we detect your public IP address — the one your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns to your connection — and display it instantly along with useful details about your network.

Public IP vs. Private IP

Your public IP address (also called a WAN or external IP) is the one visible to every website and server you connect to online. It is assigned by your ISP. Your private IP address (also called a LAN or internal IP, like 192.168.1.x or 10.0.0.x) is only used within your home or office network. Your router uses NAT (Network Address Translation) to translate between the two.

IPv4 vs. IPv6

There are two versions of IP addresses in use today. IPv4 addresses use a 32-bit format (like 203.0.113.45) and can support about 4.3 billion unique addresses — a number that has already been exhausted. IPv6 was created to solve this, using a 128-bit format (like 2001:0db8:85a3::7334) that supports a virtually unlimited number of devices. Most modern connections support both, and IPBoop.com detects whichever version your connection uses.

What Your ISP and ASN Mean

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is the company that provides your internet connection — such as Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, BT, or Vodafone. The ASN (Autonomous System Number) is a unique identifier assigned to your ISP's network, used for routing traffic across the internet.

How IP Geolocation Works

IP geolocation maps an IP address to an approximate physical location using databases maintained by regional internet registries and commercial providers. The accuracy varies — typically correct to the city or metro level, but it can be off by tens of miles. It cannot reveal your street address or exact location. VPN and proxy users will see the location of their VPN server instead of their actual location.

Common Reasons to Check Your IP Address

• Troubleshooting network issues — verify your ISP connection and check if your IP has changed
• Configuring remote access — set up remote desktop, SSH, or file sharing using your public IP
• Verifying VPN connections — confirm your VPN is working by checking if your IP location has changed
• Setting up servers or gaming — port forwarding and firewall rules require knowing your public IP
• Security and privacy — understand what information websites can see about your connection