What Is an IP Address?

Learn what IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are, how they are assigned, and what PINIP.net can (and cannot) tell you from an IP lookup.

What Is an IP Address?

Internet Protocol addresses

Every device that communicates on the public Internet needs a logical address so packets know where to go. That address is called an IP address. PINIP.net looks up these addresses and shows geolocation, network ownership (ISP/ASN), and privacy-related signals.

IPv4 vs IPv6

IPv4 uses four numbers from 0–255 (for example 8.8.8.8). The pool is exhausted, so carriers use NAT. IPv6 uses longer hexadecimal strings (for example 2001:4860:4860::8888) with a vastly larger address space. PINIP supports both formats in the search bar and API.

What a lookup tells you

  • Approximate geography (country, region, city — not a street address)
  • ISP and autonomous system (ASN)
  • Whether the IP may be hosting, mobile, proxy, or VPN
  • Timezone and coordinates when providers supply them

Try a live example on the homepage or open pinip.net/8.8.8.8.

FAQ

Is my IP address personal data?

In many jurisdictions, IP addresses can be considered personal data when they can identify a household or subscriber. See our Privacy Policy.

Can I hide my IP?

VPNs and proxies change the public IP seen by websites. Our My Location tool shows what sites see from your browser.

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