Frequently Asked Questions

Questions people commonly have when checking their IP address in a browser, on mobile, or through the JSON API.

What IP address am I seeing here?

You're seeing the public IP address your device or network presents to the internet. If you're on home Wi-Fi, it's usually your router's public IP, not your device's private LAN address.

Why does my IP look the same on multiple devices?

Devices on the same Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot often share one public IP through the router or carrier network.

Why is my IP different on mobile data vs Wi-Fi?

Your carrier and your Wi-Fi network use different public internet connections, so they usually expose different public IPs.

Why did my IP change?

Many ISPs and mobile carriers assign dynamic IPs, which can change over time, after reconnecting, or when switching networks.

Does this show my exact location?

No. An IP can suggest a rough geographic area, but it does not reliably identify your exact physical location.

Why does the site show a different location than where I am?

IP geolocation databases are approximate and can be outdated. The IP may map to your ISP, carrier, or a nearby city instead of your actual position.

Will a VPN change the IP shown here?

Yes. If you use a VPN, the site will usually show the VPN server's public IP instead of your normal one.

Will a proxy change the IP shown here?

Usually yes, if your traffic is actually routed through that proxy. The site will show the outward-facing IP of the proxy connection.

Why does my IP look shared or unfamiliar on mobile?

Mobile carriers often use carrier-grade NAT, where many users share one public IPv4 address.

What's the difference between my public IP and private IP?

A public IP is what websites see. A private IP is the address your device uses inside your home, office, or local network.

Can I use the docs endpoint to get my IP in JSON?

Yes. If you send the request with an Accept: application/json header, the service can return your IP in a machine-readable JSON response.

When would I use the API version instead of the website?

Use the website for quick checks in a browser. Use the API for scripts, automations, monitoring, server diagnostics, or command-line tools like curl.

Why does my script return a different IP than my browser?

They may be using different networks, proxies, VPNs, server environments, or request paths.

Can I use this in a shell script or CI job?

Yes. A simple curl request is useful for checking the public egress IP of a server, container, or build job.

Why does my backend server see a different IP than my laptop?

Because the backend request is coming from the server's network, not your personal device's network.

Does this site store my IP address?

IP addresses are not stored in any persistent way, with or without identifying details. We don't have any identifying details. IP addresses might remain in logs temporarily in keeping with the privacy policy.

Can I use this to test whether my VPN is working?

Yes. Check your IP before connecting to the VPN and again after. If it changes to the VPN public IP, the tunnel is likely active.

Can I use this to confirm which network I am on?

Yes. Comparing results between Wi-Fi, mobile data, VPN, and proxy connections is a quick way to verify which path your traffic is using.

Why do I get IPv4 sometimes and IPv6 other times?

Some networks prefer IPv4, others support IPv6, and some expose both. The result depends on your connection and how the request is routed.

Is looking up my IP the same as checking my DNS or gateway?

No. An IP lookup shows the public address seen by the internet. DNS and gateway settings affect how you connect, but they are separate network details.