Every device connected to the internet has an IP address—think of it as your computer’s digital home address. Whether you’re troubleshooting network issues, setting up a router, or just curious about your connection details, knowing how to check your IP address using CMD is very useful.

On Windows, the Command Prompt (CMD) gives you a quick and accurate way to view complete network information in seconds—no third-party tools needed.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to check your IP address, gateway, DNS, and full network configuration using simple CMD commands.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to your device when it connects to a network.

There are two main types:

• IPv4 (example: 192.168.1.10) – most common
• IPv6 (example: 2001:0db8::1) – newer format

Your IP helps devices:

• Communicate with each other
• Access websites
• Send and receive data

Why Check Your IP Address Using CMD?

Using CMD is helpful because:

• It shows detailed network information instantly
• Works even when settings apps fail
• Helps with troubleshooting internet issues
• Useful for router configuration
• No installation required

How to Check IP Address Using CMD

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

You can open CMD in two ways:

Method 1:

• Press Windows + S
• Type cmd
• Click Command Prompt

Method 2 (Recommended):

• Press Windows + R

• Type:

  cmd
• Press Enter

Step 2: Enter the IP Command

Type the following command:

ipconfig

Step 3: Press Enter

You will see a list of network details.

Step 4: Find Your IP Address

Look for your active connection under:

• Wi-Fi adapter or
• Ethernet adapter

Check for:

• IPv4 Address → your local IP
• Default Gateway → your router IP
• Subnet Mask → network range

Example:

IPv4 Address . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.5
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

How to Check Full Network Details (Advanced)

If you want more detailed information, use this command:

ipconfig /all

What This Shows

This command displays:

• Physical (MAC) address
• DHCP status
• DNS servers
• Connection speed details
• Lease time
• Adapter description

It’s useful for advanced troubleshooting or network setup.

How to Check Public IP Address Using CMD

CMD alone doesn’t directly show your public IP, but you can use a command with a web request:

nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com

Result Example:

Name:    myip.opendns.com
Address: 102.89.xxx.xxx

This is your public IP address (visible to the internet).

Real-World Example

Scenario:

Your internet is not working properly, and you want to confirm your connection.

Solution:

Run:

ipconfig

Then check:

• If IPv4 exists
• If Default Gateway is present

If gateway is missing, your device is not properly connected to the router.

Bonus CMD Network Commands

Here are useful extras:

1. Test internet connection

ping google.com

2. Check network path

tracert google.com

3. View DNS cache

ipconfig /displaydns

Pros and Cons of Using CMD for Network Info

Pros

• Fast and accurate
• No installation needed
• Works on all Windows versions
• Shows deep system details

Cons

• Not beginner-friendly at first
• Requires understanding of network terms
• No graphical interface

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the correct adapter (Wi-Fi vs Ethernet)
• Confusing IPv4 with public IP
• Running CMD without proper command syntax
• Assuming IP changes mean internet issues

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is CMD safe to use for checking IP?

Yes, it is completely safe and built into Windows.

2. Why do I have two IP addresses?

One is your local IP, and the other is your public IP.

3. Does restarting my PC change my IP?

Local IP may change depending on your router settings.

4. Can I find Wi-Fi password using CMD?

Yes, but that requires a different command.

5. What if ipconfig shows no IP address?

It means your device is not properly connected to the network.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to check your IP address using CMD is a simple but powerful skill for any Windows user. Whether you’re fixing network issues, configuring a router, or just exploring your system, CMD gives you instant access to detailed connection information.

With just a single command like ipconfig, you can understand your entire network setup in seconds—no technical tools required.