What is a public IP address?

Internet Basics
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A public IP address is an IP address that is visible on the internet and used to communicate with websites, online services, and other devices outside of your local network.

When you visit a website, send an email, stream a video, or use an online application, your public IP address is typically used to identify your connection on the internet. Public IP addresses are assigned by internet service providers (ISPs) and are unique across the public internet.

Most homes and businesses have a public IP address that is shared by multiple devices through a router. While your computer, phone, tablet, and smart TV may each have their own local IP addresses, they often share the same public IP address when accessing the internet.

Understanding public IP addresses is an important part of learning how devices communicate online.

Key Takeaways

  • A public IP address is visible on the internet.
  • Public IP addresses are typically assigned by ISPs.
  • Multiple devices can share a single public IP address.
  • Websites and online services see your public IP address.
  • Public IP addresses help devices communicate across the internet.

Related Resources

Related Community Discussions

Discussion Questions

  • Did you know your devices often share the same public IP address?
  • Have you ever needed to find your public IP address?
  • What questions do you have about public IP addresses?
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A common misconception is that every device in a home has its own public IP address.

In reality, most home networks use a router that allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address when communicating with the internet. This process helps conserve IP address space and simplifies network management.

Have you ever checked whether all of your devices appear to have the same public IP address?

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One thing that surprises many users is that websites don’t usually see the local IP address assigned to a device inside a home network.

Instead, they typically see the public IP address assigned to the internet connection itself. That’s one reason multiple devices in the same home often appear to have the same public IP address when visiting websites.