Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about what is my IP, public IP address, IP lookup, IP geolocation, VPN and proxy visibility, and privacy. For short term definitions, see the networking glossary.
What is My IP?+
“What is my IP?” asks which public IP address the internet currently sees for your connection. IPinfoLabs answers that on page load by detecting your public IP address, approximate IP location, and ISP details in one dashboard—no account required.
What is a Public IP Address?+
A public IP address is the globally routable address your network uses on the internet. Websites, VPN endpoints, and services see this address when you connect. It is different from a private IP used only inside your home or office network.
What is an IPv4 Address?+
IPv4 is the classic IP format written as four numbers separated by dots (for example, 8.8.8.8). Many networks still use IPv4 for public access. IPinfoLabs can detect your IPv4 public IP address and run an IP address lookup on other IPv4 addresses.
What is IPv6?+
IPv6 is the newer addressing standard designed for a much larger address space. Addresses use hexadecimal groups separated by colons. When your connection exposes an IPv6 public IP, the dashboard can show it, and you can look up other IPv6 addresses the same way.
What is IP Lookup?+
IP lookup (or IP address lookup) means inspecting network details for a specific address—typically ISP information and approximate IP location from IP geolocation. On IPinfoLabs you can check your own IP or look up another public IP from the same page.
What information can an IP address reveal?+
A public IP address can point to ISP information and an approximate IP location (often country, region, and city). It does not reveal your exact street address, passwords, or browsing history. Browser information and device information shown here come from your local browser, not from the remote IP alone.
Why is IP location approximate?+
IP geolocation maps an IP to where the address is registered or commonly used—not GPS coordinates. That is why “where is my IP?” results can differ from your physical position. Treat IP location as a network estimate useful for regional context.
How accurate is IP geolocation?+
Accuracy varies by provider, ISP routing, and whether you use a VPN or proxy. City-level results are common but not guaranteed; country-level is usually more reliable. IPinfoLabs labels location as approximate so expectations stay clear.
Is my IP stored?+
No. Checking your IP, running an IP lookup, and exporting a report happen in your browser. IPinfoLabs does not keep a server-side history of your public IP address or lookup results. Only local preferences such as theme may remain on your device.
What is the difference between Public and Private IP?+
A public IP address is reachable on the internet and is what others see when you connect. A private IP is used inside a local network (for example, 192.168.x.x) and is not globally routable. “What is my IP address?” tools typically show your public IP, not your private LAN address.
Can I look up another IP address?+
Yes. Use the IP lookup field to search a public IPv4 or IPv6 address. You will see network and approximate IP location for that address. Browser information and device information still reflect your local device, not the remote host.
Does a VPN or proxy change my public IP?+
Usually yes. A VPN or proxy can replace the public IP address websites see with the exit node’s address and may change apparent IP location. Use IPinfoLabs to check IP after connecting and confirm the visible public IP matches what you expect.
