IP Address Analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IP address and what does it identify?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a network. IPv4 addresses use the format 192.168.1.1 (four numbers 0-255 separated by dots). IPv6 addresses use hexadecimal format like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. IP addresses identify devices for routing data across the internet, similar to how postal addresses identify buildings for mail delivery.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (4.3 billion possible addresses) in dotted-decimal format (192.0.2.1). IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (340 undecillion possible addresses) in hexadecimal format (2001:db8::1). IPv4 is exhausted, so IPv6 is the long-term solution. IPv6 offers better security, auto-configuration, and no need for NAT. Both protocols currently coexist; most devices support both (dual-stack).

What is the difference between public and private IP addresses?

Public IP addresses are globally unique and routable on the internet, assigned by ISPs. Private IP addresses are used within local networks and are not routable on the internet. Private IPv4 ranges: 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16. Devices on a private network share one public IP via NAT (Network Address Translation). Your router has a public IP; devices behind it have private IPs (e.g., 192.168.1.x).

How do I find my public IP address?

Visit websites like whatismyip.com, ipinfo.io, or use this IP lookup tool to see your public IP address — the address your ISP assigns to your router. You can also search "what is my ip" in Google. Your public IP identifies your network to the internet. It may change periodically (dynamic IP) unless you have a static IP from your ISP. Websites see your public IP, not your device's private IP.

What is a loopback IP address?

The loopback address (127.0.0.1 for IPv4, ::1 for IPv6) refers to the local device itself. When you connect to 127.0.0.1 (localhost), you are connecting to your own computer. This is used for testing network applications without external network access. Any IP in the 127.0.0.0/8 range (127.0.0.1 to 127.255.255.254) is a loopback address reserved for local host communication.

Can IP addresses reveal my exact location?

IP geolocation can estimate location to city or region level (accuracy: 50-200 miles) based on ISP data, but not your exact address. Precision varies by provider. Mobile IPs are less accurate. Factors affecting accuracy: VPNs, proxies, and shared networks mask true location. For privacy, use a VPN to route traffic through a different IP. Law enforcement with ISP cooperation can trace IPs to specific subscribers.

What is CIDR notation for IP addresses?

CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation describes IP address ranges using a slash and number, like 192.168.1.0/24. The number after the slash is the prefix length (subnet mask bits). /24 means the first 24 bits are the network portion (last 8 bits for hosts: 256 addresses). Common notations: /32 (single IP), /24 (256 IPs), /16 (65,536 IPs), /8 (16.7 million IPs). Used for subnet definitions and routing.

What are special-use IP address ranges?

Special-use ranges: 127.0.0.0/8 (loopback), 0.0.0.0/8 (current network), 10.0.0.0/8 (private), 172.16.0.0/12 (private), 192.168.0.0/16 (private), 169.254.0.0/16 (link-local/APIPA), 224.0.0.0/4 (multicast), 240.0.0.0/4 (reserved). For IPv6: ::1 (loopback), fe80::/10 (link-local), fc00::/7 (unique local/private), ff00::/8 (multicast). These addresses are not routable on the public internet.

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