What an IP lookup shows
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Country, region, city | Where the address is registered or routed - city level at best |
| ISP / organisation | The provider or company that owns the address block |
| ASN | Autonomous System Number - the network the IP belongs to |
| Hostname | Reverse DNS name, often revealing the provider or server role |
| Proxy / hosting / mobile | Whether the IP is a VPN or proxy, a data centre, or a mobile network |
When an IP lookup is useful
- Suspicious login alerts - check whether the IP in a "new sign-in" email is really near you.
- Server logs - see who is hammering your site or login page.
- Email headers - find where a message really came from with the Email Header Analyzer.
- VPN check - confirm your VPN hides your real address.
IPv4 vs IPv6
IPv4 addresses look like 203.0.113.7, and the world ran out of new ones years ago.
IPv6 addresses look like 2001:db8::1 and are now used by most mobile networks. Your device can have both, and websites see whichever one the connection uses.
Frequently asked questions
What is my IP address?
It is the public address your internet provider gives your connection. This page shows it at the top as soon as it loads. Everyone on the same home or office network usually shares one public IP.
How accurate is IP geolocation?
The country is right almost every time. The city is usually the location of your provider's network hub, which can be tens of kilometres away. An IP address never reveals a street address.
Can someone find me from my IP address?
Not your home address. A website can see your approximate city and your provider. Only the provider can link an IP to a customer, and it shares that only with law enforcement under a legal order.
What do "proxy" and "hosting" mean?
"Hosting" means the address belongs to a data centre or cloud provider rather than a home connection. "Proxy" means it is a known VPN, proxy or Tor exit. Either is normal for servers, but unusual for a person logging into your account.
How do I check if an IP is malicious?
Location data does not tell you that. Use the Threat Scanner to see whether security vendors have reported the IP for attacks, spam or malware.