Find Your IP Address (3 Ways)

Posted on June 12, 2024

Sometimes, you need to find someone's IP address for different reasons. You could use it to set up a secure connection between devices, let a device join your company's network, or block a device while keeping your identity hidden.

No matter your reason, there are a few ways to get someone’s IP address. Whether you're starting with an IP address and want to know more about it or you need a website's IP address, this guide will explain how to do it.

But First, What Is An IP Address Anyways?

An IP address is like a digital fingerprint that identifies each device when it connects to the internet through the Internet Protocol (IP). It enables the internet to know where to send data when you request it. Think of it as your device's home address in the vast network of the internet. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are the ones responsible for assigning these addresses, whether it's for your home Wi-Fi or your workplace network.

IPv4 and IPv6 Addresses

There are two main types of IP addresses.

IPv4 Addresses: These are the classic IP addresses you're probably familiar with: four sets of numbers separated by dots (like 192.168.1.1). They've been around for a while, but we're-running out due to the explosion of internet-connected devices.

IPv6 Addresses: To solve the problem of IPv4 address scarcity, IPv6 came into play. Instead of numbers separated by dots, IPv6 addresses use a mix of numbers and letters separated by colons (like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334). This expanded format provides way more possible addresses, ensuring that every device can have its unique identifier.

3 Ways To Find Someone Else’s IP Address

Now, let's get back to our original discussion. There are legitimate reasons to find someone's IP address. Here are three ways to do so.

1. IP lookup

Ever wondered how to pinpoint someone's IP address with ease? IP lookup tools can be used. Armed with nothing more than the IP address itself, users can get information thanks to the seamless integration of ISPs' databases, public ip address blacklists, and proprietary resources.

These tools can help you:

Identify the Internet Service Provider (ISP) associated with the IP address (find user IP).
Figure out the hostname connected to the IP location.
Pinpoint the geographical location right down to the city.
Get precise coordinates like latitude and longitude.
Explore the services operating behind the scenes under the IP's cover.

The best tool is Google. Just search “what my IP address is” on Google, and you are all set. Moreover, platforms like ipgeolocation.io offer a straightforward interface. Enter the IP address you're curious about, and let the tool do its magic.

Verifying the data is crucial to making informed decisions. Cross-checking IP address details across multiple tools helps ensure accuracy. By staying diligent, you can make confident decisions.

2. Email Headers

While IP lookup tools are handy for known addresses, sometimes you must start from scratch. That's where digging into email headers comes in handy.

Marketing emails usually spill the beans on IPs because they have to comply with sender policy frameworks (SPF). But personal emails? Not so much. They typically keep that info hidden. Why? Well, marketing emails tend to come from domains with many different email addresses, making SPF implementation a must.

Now, let's say you're using Gmail and want to fish out an IP from a marketing email. Here's a quick how-to:

Open the email and click on those three dots up in the corner.
Hit "Show Original or View Message Details" to reveal the email header, where all the SPF, DKIM, and DMARC stuff hangs out.
Look for numbers in the SPF section formatted like this: 12.130.137.78. That's the IP address of the company's email server.
Copy and paste that SPF IP into an IP lookup tool for the full scoop.

If you've already received an email from the person you're investigating, you can skip the marketing email hassle and dive straight into the headers.

Before trusting every IP you find, remember that email headers aren't always foolproof. Scammers can mess with them, and with strict privacy settings like those in iOS 15 and iOS 16, anyone can hide their IP. So, always double-check with an IP verification tool to ensure you're not being led astray.

3. Command Prompt

For Windows users, finding the command prompt is as easy as typing "command prompt" or "cmd" into the search box on the taskbar. Max or Linux users can find the Terminal either in the Utilities folder or by using Spotlight search.

Once you've opened the command prompt or Terminal, you can start typing commands. One useful command is "ipconfig (in Windows) or ifconfig (in Mac and Linux)". This command reveals all sorts of details about your network connection, including your IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.

How to find the IP address of a website

To uncover a website's IP address, you can use the command prompt or terminal window. Simply type "ping" followed by a space and the website's URL, then hit Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac).

For example, to find Google's IP address, type "ping www.google.com" and press enter.

How To Find Someone’s IP Address Through Chat

This process requires you to have interacted with the person previously and currently be in a live chat, video call, or VoIP session with them. This direct connection enables you to trace their IP.

To track down someone’s IP, you’ll use a command called “netstat.” This command scans all the connections to your device during the chat or call.

Start a conversation with them if you’re not already chatting or calling the person. Then, open the command prompt and type “netstat –an” before hitting ‘Enter’ or ‘Return’. This action reveals the IP addresses linked to all the ongoing TCP connections.

This method only works for direct peer-to-peer interactions. When you use platforms like Slack, a server usually exists between you and the other person.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding how to find someone’s IP address can be valuable for various reasons, whether it's for network security or online communication. By utilizing methods like IP lookup tools, examining email headers, or using command prompt, you can gather essential information about IP addresses.

However, it's important to remember the limitations, such as the inability to trace an IP address directly to a specific house. Additionally, it's crucial to use these methods responsibly and legally, respecting privacy and avoiding unlawful activities. By following these guidelines, you can navigate the digital landscape confidently and ethically.

FAQs

Is it against the law to find someone’s IP address?

Discovering someone’s IP address is not illegal. It is public information utilized across the internet without legal constraints on searching for it. However, engaging in activities like tracking IP addresses for harassment or cyber offenses constitutes illegal conduct.

Certainly, you can obtain an individual’s IP address through social media platforms, but you will need to ensure some things. For instance, within Facebook Messenger or chat, establishing a connection with the person and ensuring their online presence facilitates the process.

What is the function of an IP grabber?

An IP grabber serves as a third-party utility generating a clickable link, facilitating the retrieval of the user’s IP address. However, employing such tools poses significant privacy and security risks.

However, don’t resort to IP grabbers for IP address information. Instead, opt for one of the three methods we discussed: IP lookup, email headers, or command prompt and ping.

Is it possible to trace an IP address to a residence?

Although an IP address can provide considerable information, directly pinpointing it to a specific house is virtually unattainable. ISPs assign IP addresses that are linked to general areas rather than exact physical addresses.

While you can determine the precise geolocation of an IP using an IP lookup tool like ipgeolocation.io, pinpointing a specific physical address remains elusive.