What is my IP address?
See your public IP, location, reverse DNS, local gateway router IP lookup, and WiFi network security status in one place.
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Managing public IP traffic across multi-user venue networks?
A public IP only identifies a gateway router. Purple enables retail, hospitality, healthcare, and commercial venues to capture GDPR-compliant visitor profiles and real-time footfall intelligence.
Your public IP address is detected strictly from the HTTP request headers received by our servers. No personal details or session tracking profiles are created.
Explore enterprise guest WiFi →Understanding your public IP address
Your public IP address is a unique digital address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to identify your internet connection on the global web. Every request your browser makes - from loading web pages to streaming video - includes this address so servers know where to send response data back.
While your public IP address reveals your internet service provider, coarse geographic region, and routing network, it does not reveal your home street address or personal identity on its own.
Public IP vs private router IP
It is common to confuse your public IP address with your private local IP address. Network Address Translation (NAT) separates the two:
- Public IP address: Assigned to your router WAN port by your ISP. Visible to all external websites and internet servers.
- Private IP address: Assigned internally by your router's DHCP server to local devices (e.g. 192.168.1.15 for your laptop, 192.168.1.20 for your phone). Private IPs cannot be routed across the public internet.
How enterprise venues manage WiFi traffic across public IP addresses
For businesses operating guest WiFi across retail stores, hotels, airports, and corporate campuses, hundreds of simultaneous visitors browse the web behind a single public IP address.
Relying solely on public IP tracking provides zero visibility into who is actually using your network. Enterprise guest WiFi platforms like Purple authenticate venue visitors through branded captive portals or 802.1X enterprise certificates. This bridges the gap between public IP routing and verified first-party visitor profiles - delivering footfall analytics and marketing automation while adhering to ISO 27001 and GDPR standards across more than 80,000 global venues.
How to check your public and local IP address
Follow these steps to find your public IPv4/IPv6 address and locate your local router gateway IP.
Detect your public IP address
Visit the Purple What is my IP tool to instantly view your active public IPv4 or IPv6 address, ISP hostname, and approximate location.
Open your device terminal or settings
On Windows, open Command Prompt. On macOS or Linux, open Terminal. On iOS or Android, navigate to WiFi connection settings.
Execute gateway lookup command
Run ipconfig on Windows or netstat -rn | grep default on macOS to locate your router default gateway IP address (such as 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1).
Frequently asked questions
What is my public IP address and why is it visible?
Your public IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to your internet router by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It enables web servers and online services to route requested data back to your network. Every public website you visit can see your public IP address.
What is the difference between a public IP and a private IP address?
A public IP address is visible to the global internet and identifies your router's connection to your ISP. A private IP address (such as 192.168.1.50 or 10.0.0.12) is assigned internally by your router to identify specific devices on your local network.
How do I find my router's local gateway IP address?
On Windows, open Command Prompt and run ipconfig to find your Default Gateway (typically 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1). On macOS, open Terminal and run netstat -rn | grep default or check System Settings > Network > WiFi > Details.
Why does my IP location show a different city or region?
IP geolocation reflects the location of your Internet Service Provider's gateway data center or routing node rather than your precise GPS coordinates. VPNs, proxies, or mobile networks also alter your apparent IP location.
How do commercial venues track WiFi visitors behind public IP addresses?
Public IP addresses only identify a shared router connection. Enterprise guest WiFi platforms like Purple authenticate visitors using captive portals or 802.1X enterprise credentials, creating authenticated visitor profiles and footfall analytics while maintaining GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance.
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A public IP address only identifies a network connection. Purple enables enterprise venues, multi-site retail, hospitality, and healthcare brands to capture GDPR-compliant visitor profiles and footfall analytics across every location.
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