How to Find Your Router's IP Addresses

A home broadband router uses two IP addresses. One is its private address on the local network. The other is the external, public IP address that communicates with outside networks on the internet.

This article includes instructions for some popular router brands, but that the specific steps will vary depending on your router.

How to Find the Router's External IP Address

The external facing address managed by a router is set when it connects to the internet service provider with a broadband modem. This address can be seen from web-based IP lookup services such as IP Chicken and also from the router.

It's a similar process with other manufacturers, but on Linksys routers, you can see the public IP address on the Status page in the Internet section. NETGEAR routers might call this address the Internet Port IP Address and have it listed in the Maintenance > Router Status screen.

Screenshot of router configuration page showing external IP address

How to Find the Router's Local IP Address

Home routers have their local address set to a default, private IP address number. It's usually the same address for the other models from that manufacturer, and it can be found in the manufacturer's documentation.

You can also check this IP address in the router's settings. For example, most Linksys routers list the private address, called the Local IP Address, in the Setup > Basic Setup screen. A NETGEAR router might call it a Gateway IP Address on the Maintenance > Router Status page.

Some routers are accessible only via a mobile app, such as Google Wifi. With that app, you can open the Network & General > Advanced networking > LAN page to see the router's local IP address.

Screenshot of router configuration page showing local IP address

Here are the default local IP addresses for some of the most popular brands of routers:

Linksys routers usually use 192.168.1.1 for the default internal address.
D-Link and NETGEAR routers are most commonly set to 192.168.0.1.
Cisco routers are often 192.168.10.2, 192.168.1.254, or 192.168.1.1.
Some Belkin and SMC routers use 192.168.2.1.
U.S. Robotics routers use 192.168.123.254.

Administrators have the option to change this IP address during the router setup or at any time later in the router's administrative console.

Unlike other IP addresses on home networks that usually change periodically, the router's private IP address remains static (fixed) unless someone manually changes it.

Alternatively, find the local IP address of the router in Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems by verifying the default gateway address.

More Information on IP Addresses

The public IP address of a home network changes periodically because the ISP assigns dynamic addresses to most customers. These change over time because each IP address is reallocated from the company's address pool.

These numbers apply to the traditional IPv4 addressing commonly used on networks. The new IPv6 uses a different numbering system for its IP addresses, although similar concepts apply.

On corporate networks, network discovery services based on Simple Network Management Protocol automatically determine the IP addresses of routers and other network devices.