What is an IP address? Public vs private IP
A plain explanation of what an IP address is and how public and private IPs differ.
An IP address is the internet's street address
Every device on the internet uses a numeric address so other devices can find it. That is its IP (Internet Protocol) address. When you open a website, the site sends its answer back to your IP address.
Public IP
The address that represents you on the internet. Your internet provider assigns it to the router at your home or office, or to your phone. It is the address websites and game servers see, and the address shown on the IPinfoBox home page.
Private IP
An address used only inside your router's network. It usually starts with 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x or 172.16~31.x.x. Devices on the same router each get a private IP and share the router's single public IP when they go out to the internet.
Why there are two kinds
There are only about 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses, not enough to give every device a public IP. So a router shares one public IP among several devices (NAT) and gives the devices inside private IPs.
What an IP address reveals
A public IP tells you the approximate area (city level) and the internet provider. It does not reveal personal details such as a name, home address or phone number. Only the provider holds that information, and it is released only through legal process.
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