Router IP Address: Find It on Windows or Mac
Written and checked with AI using the references below. This is not human expert review.
Quick answer
On Windows, open Command Prompt, type 'ipconfig', and find the Default Gateway. That address is your router's IP. On a Mac, go to Apple menu, then System Settings, then Network. Pick your connection, click Details, then TCP/IP. Look for the Router field there.
What the default gateway actually is
Your router hands out IP addresses to every device on your home network. It uses a protocol called DHCP to do this. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. As part of that process, it also tells each device the router’s own address. That address is called the default gateway. It is the number you type into a browser to reach the router’s settings page.
In plain terms: find the default gateway, and you have found your router’s local IP address. The two terms mean the same thing in a home network context.
Windows: the fastest method — Command Prompt
This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and takes about 15 seconds.
- Press Windows key + R, type
cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt. - Type
ipconfigand press Enter. - Scroll through the output and find the network adapter you are using — look for Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how you are connected.
- Read the line that says Default Gateway. That value is your router’s IP address.
Run ipconfig in Command Prompt without any extra parameters. It shows IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, subnet mask, and default gateway for all adapters. You only need the Default Gateway line.
Illustrative example: Suppose your output shows three lines under the Wi-Fi adapter: an IPv4 Address, a Subnet Mask, and a Default Gateway. The IPv4 Address is your computer’s address on the local network. The Default Gateway is the router’s address. Type that Default Gateway number into your browser’s address bar to reach the router’s admin page. Your actual numbers will differ — this is illustrative only.
Windows: no command line — use Settings instead
If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, Windows Settings shows the same information. Microsoft’s support documentation describes the path for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
- Open Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- For a Wi-Fi connection, select Wi-Fi, then select the network name you are connected to. For a wired connection, select Ethernet.
- On the network details screen, look for the IPv4 address field. Microsoft also notes you can select Properties near your connected network for a fuller view that includes the gateway.
You can also right-click the Wi-Fi or network icon in the taskbar and choose Network and internet settings to reach the same screen quickly.
Mac: System Settings path
Apple’s official guidance covers macOS versions from High Sierra through the latest releases. The path changed slightly in macOS Ventura (13) when System Preferences became System Settings, but the TCP/IP details screen remains in the same logical place.
- Click the Apple menu (top-left corner) and choose System Settings. On older macOS versions this is System Preferences.
- Click Network in the sidebar.
- Click the connection you are using — Wi-Fi or Ethernet — then click Details.
- Click the TCP/IP tab.
- The Router field shows your router’s IP address.
Your ISP may give you extra information like a subnet mask and a router address. If so, those values show up in labeled fields on this same screen. The Router field is clearly labeled and easy to spot.
How to confirm you have the right address
Once you have the address, type it exactly into your browser’s address bar — not the search box — and press Enter. If a login page appears, you have reached the router’s admin interface. The exact look of that page depends on your router’s brand and model. This article covers only how to find the address, not how to navigate any specific router’s settings.
If the browser shows an error, double-check that you copied the full address correctly and that you are still connected to the same network. For broader Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting steps in Windows, a separate guide walks through the full diagnostic process.
When the address might differ from what you expect
Most home routers assign themselves an address in a private IP range. The exact number varies by manufacturer and by whether you or your ISP changed it. If you have more than one router or a mesh system, each device may have its own address. The ipconfig output or the Mac TCP/IP screen always shows the gateway your device is actually using. That makes it the most reliable source, no matter what is printed on the router’s label.
If your network keeps dropping and you need to go deeper than just finding the address, see what causes internet drops and which layer is failing for a structured diagnostic approach.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find my router's IP address on an iPhone or Android phone?
The sources for this article cover Windows and Mac only, so exact steps for phones are not confirmed here. On Android, the path varies by manufacturer. Check your device maker's support page for confirmed steps.
What if ipconfig shows multiple Default Gateway entries?
Multiple entries appear when your computer has more than one active network adapter. For example, Wi-Fi and Ethernet may both be connected at the same time, or a VPN may be running. Use the gateway listed under the adapter you are actively using for internet access. Disconnect unused adapters or VPNs if you are unsure which one applies.
Is the router IP address the same as my public internet IP address?
No — they are different. The default gateway is a private local address only visible inside your home network. Your public IP address is assigned by your ISP and is what websites see when you connect. The ipconfig or Mac TCP/IP screen shows your local network address, not your public one.
Do I need to be connected to the network before running ipconfig?
Yes. The default gateway shown by ipconfig or Mac's Network settings is the address your device received from the router when it connected. If you are not connected — by Wi-Fi or Ethernet — no gateway address will appear. Connect first, then run the lookup.
Will the router's IP address change if I restart the router?
The router's own local IP address (the default gateway) is typically fixed and does not change on restart. What can change is the IP address assigned to your computer by the router's DHCP service. The gateway address you use to reach the admin page stays the same unless you manually change it in the router's settings.
Sources
- ipconfig · learn.microsoft.com
- Essential Network Settings and Tasks in Windows | Microsoft Support · support.microsoft.com
- Use DHCP or a manual IP address on Mac · Apple Support (support.apple.com)
Written by AI; checked through automated evidence and editorial review. References retrieved October 11, 2026.
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