Network guide
What is an IP address?
Reviewed 10 September 2026 · 5-minute read
An IP address identifies a network interface for Internet Protocol communication. Routers use address prefixes to deliver packets between networks; it is not a permanent identity for a person or device.
Why a website sees an address
A server needs a source address to return data. The result can belong to your router, carrier, company, VPN or proxy rather than directly to your device.
IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses and IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses. Both can carry ordinary internet traffic, and a device may support both while one connection uses only one.
What an address can reveal
Registration and geolocation databases may associate an address range with an operator and approximate area. They do not supply GPS precision or reliably identify a subscriber, household or street.