About This Tool
Need to know your public IP address? This free tool instantly detects and displays your IPv4 or IPv6 address as seen by websites and servers on the internet. We show comprehensive data including your approximate geographic location, ISP (Internet Service Provider), ASN (Autonomous System Number), hostname, timezone, and even detect if you're using a VPN, proxy, or connecting from a datacenter. We also check your IP against major spam blacklists (DNSBL) to see if it's been flagged for suspicious activity. Your IP address is like your internet mailing address. Every device connected to the internet has one, and websites use it to send data back to you. Understanding your IP is useful for troubleshooting network issues, verifying your VPN is working, configuring remote access, diagnosing email delivery problems, or checking what information websites can see about your connection.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a network. Think of it as your device's address on the internet. IPv4 addresses are displayed in dot-decimal notation (e.g., 192.168.1.1), consisting of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by periods. IPv6 addresses are longer hexadecimal strings designed to accommodate the growing number of internet-connected devices.Understanding ASN (Autonomous System Number)
An ASN identifies the network operator responsible for your IP address. Large ISPs, cloud providers, and content delivery networks each have their own ASN. For example, AS15169 belongs to Google. When you see an ASN in your IP info, it tells you which organization manages the network infrastructure you're connected through.VPN and Proxy Detection
Our tool can detect if your connection appears to come from a VPN, proxy server, or datacenter rather than a residential network. This is useful for verifying your VPN is working correctly. If you're using a VPN but we show "VPN/Proxy: Not Detected," your VPN may be leaking your real IP or using residential IP addresses.Public vs Private IP Addresses
Your public IP is what websites see when you connect to them. It's assigned by your ISP and is visible to the outside world. Your private IP (like 192.168.x.x) is used within your home or office network and isn't visible externally. Your router uses NAT (Network Address Translation) to map private IPs to your single public IP.Why Does My IP Show the Wrong Location?
IP geolocation is approximate and based on ISP registration data. Your IP might show a city where your ISP has infrastructure rather than your exact location. This is normal and doesn't affect how the internet works for you. VPN users will see the location of their VPN server instead of their actual location.IP Blacklist and Spam Database Checks
We automatically check your IP against major spam blacklists (DNSBLs) including Spamhaus, SpamCop, SORBS, and Barracuda. These databases track IP addresses associated with spam, malware, or suspicious activity. If your IP is listed, you may experience email delivery problems or be blocked by certain websites. Being listed doesn't mean you're a spammer—shared IPs on hosting services or previous owners of dynamic IPs can cause false positives. Contact your ISP or hosting provider to request delisting if needed.Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my IP address change?
Most home internet connections use dynamic IP addresses assigned by your ISP. These can change when you restart your router or periodically over time. Businesses often pay for static IPs that never change, which is useful for hosting servers.
Can someone find my exact location from my IP?
No. IP geolocation typically only identifies your city or region, not your street address. The location shown is based on where your ISP registers that IP range, which may not match your actual location precisely. Only your ISP can link your IP to your physical address, and they require legal authority to disclose this.
How do I hide my IP address?
You can mask your public IP using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which routes your traffic through a server in another location. This makes websites see the VPN server's IP instead of yours, providing privacy and allowing access to geo-restricted content. Our tool can help verify your VPN is working by checking if proxy/VPN detection is triggered.
What is a hostname (reverse DNS)?
The hostname is the domain name associated with your IP address via reverse DNS lookup. For residential connections, this is often assigned by your ISP and may include your city or ISP name. Businesses and servers often have custom hostnames. Not all IPs have a hostname configured.
Why does it say I'm on a datacenter IP?
If our tool shows "Datacenter/Hosting: Yes," your connection appears to come from a server or cloud provider rather than a residential ISP. This commonly happens when using certain VPNs, corporate networks, or cloud-based browsing services. Some websites may treat datacenter IPs with extra scrutiny.
My IP is on a blacklist. What should I do?
If your IP is listed on a spam blacklist, contact your ISP or hosting provider first—they may need to request removal. For dynamic residential IPs, simply restarting your router may get you a new, clean IP. If you control the IP (server/VPS), ensure no malware or open relays exist, then visit each blacklist's website to request delisting. Spamhaus, SpamCop, and others have automated removal processes for IPs that stop sending spam.