How to Find Your Router IP Address on Any Device

What Is a Router IP Address?

Every device connected to a network must have an IP address assigned so that other devices can communicate with it. If the network is connected to the internet, the devices, including the router, will have two IP addresses.

• Local (private) router's IP address is a numerical value assigned to it within your network. It helps other devices to connect to it and gain internet or local network access.
• Public (external) router's IP address is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to identify the whole network and give it online access. The router usually then distributes this IP address between devices.

Usually, when you want to find a router's IP address, it's the local one you're after. Private IP addresses follow certain standards and are often labeled as the default gateway. Here are the common IP ranges (IPv4)

• 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255

• 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
• 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255

Different router brands tend to use certain local IP address ranges when assigning default gateways to their devices. Although various combinations of 192.168.1.1 (wherein the final two numbers are either 1 or 0) are the most popular:

How to Find Your Router’s IP Address on Different Devices

Before you try anything else, consider whether it won't be easier to find the router physically and look at its back side. Usually, there is a sticker with the local IP address set by the manufacturer.

You can also try to enter some of the often-used local router IP addresses we listed earlier in your browser to see if you reach the admin panel. If none work, proceed to the instructions for your device operating system below.

Windows (10, 11)

Windows devices can find the router's private IP address by using the command prompt.

1. Press Windows button + X.
2. Select Terminal (you can also press the letter i).
3. Type ipconfig.
4. Find router's IP address under Default Gateway.

Another route is to access network settings.

1. Press Windows button + X.
2. Select Network connections (you can also press the letter w).
3. Click Properties next to the network you are connected to.
4. Scroll down to IPv4 default gateway, which is your router's local IP address.

macOS

MacOS devices can find the router's private IP address with a terminal command.

1. Press Command (⌘) + Spacebar.
2. Enter the terminal.
3. Type in the command netstat -nr | grep default.
4. Your router's IP address will be listed next to the word default under the Gateway column.

Alternatively, you can use the System Preferences.

1. Click on the Apple menu.
2. Choose System Settings.
3. Go to Network.
4. Select your active network and click Advanced.
5. Go to the TCP/IP tab. Your router's local IP address is listed next to Router.

Linux

Devices running Linux can use a command in the terminal. Instructions may vary a bit depending on the distribution you use. Ours are for Ubuntu.

1. Press CTRL+Alt+T.
2. Enter the command ip route
3. The IP address following default via is your router’s local IP address.

You can also use the graphical user interface.

1. Open Settings and go to Network.
2. Select your active connection.
3. Click the gear icon.
4. Look for the Default Route or Gateway to find your router’s local IP address.

Android

The exact path for finding the default IP address of your router might vary depending on the Android device manufacturer and version. The steps below are general.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Choose Wi-Fi.
3. Tap on the settings of your active network.
4. Look for Router, default, or similar value with IP address.

It's also possible to find various network analyzer apps that will provide you with your router's local IP address and other information about the network.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Locate the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to.
4. Tap the blue (i) information icon next to it.
5. The section labeled Router will show your router’s local IP address.

Various network management apps that provide this and other information about your network are also available.

Chrome OS

1. Click on the notification area (System tray) in the bottom right corner.
2. Select the active Wi-Fi network.
3. Click on the wireless network name again to open details.
4. Navigate to the Network tab.
5. Your router's private IP address will be listed next to the word Gateway.

How to Use Your Router IP Address (Login & Admin Panel)

Once you know your router's IP address, you can use it to access your router's admin panel, which is needed to change various settings.

1. Open a web browser of your choice.
2. Enter the router's IP address you have found previously in the address bar.
3. Most routers will ask you for a password. Unless it was previously changed, it can be found on the back of the router or in its documentation. If you can’t find either, the username and password combination of admin admin is frequently used by default.
4. Log in to the admin panel.

It's recommended to change the default password since it's often not the most secure one. Be sure to note it in a safe place, as, unlike the network's private IP address, it cannot be found anywhere else.

Access to the admin panel will give you the possibility to change the Wi-Fi network's name, security settings, parental controls, and many other settings. Knowing your router IP address is also a crucial step before setting up more advanced router settings, such as installing a VPN on your router.

Troubleshooting Tips

Most often, issues when finding a router's IP address are that you aren't connected to it. Make sure you are connected to the router and no other network at the time of following the steps we discussed previously.

In some cases, the device might be malfunctioning and not connecting to the router properly. It's a good idea to try a different device for finding the router's IP.

If the router is having some issues, try to restart it or, as a last resort, factory reset the router to renew its settings related to the IP address. Other troubleshooting tips depend on your router's model, so refer to the manufacturer's documentation.

Conclusion

Finding your router IP is a first step in many troubleshooting and networking tasks. Our guide should have you covered on how to find it quickly in most common cases.