IP Address Lookup
Find the location, ISP, and detailed information about any IPv4 or IPv6 address instantly.
💡 Example: 8.8.8.8 or 2001:4860:4860::8888
How to Use This Tool
Enter any IPv4 address (like 8.8.8.8) or IPv6 address (like 2001:4860:4860::8888) in the field above and click "Lookup" to view:
- Geographic Location: Country, region, city, and coordinates
- ISP Information: Internet Service Provider and organization
- Network Details: ASN, hostname, and connection type
- Timezone: Local timezone for the IP location
Click "Fetch My IP" to automatically look up your current IP address, or enter any public IP address to investigate.
How to Get Someone's IP Address
Once you have an IP address, it's as easy as entering it in the tool above and clicking "Lookup." But if you don't know how to obtain someone's IP address, there are several legitimate methods:
📧 Email Headers
Most email clients include the sender's IP address in the email headers. Check the "View Source" or "Show Original" option in your email client.
🌐 Website Logs
If you run a website, your server logs contain the IP addresses of all visitors who access your site.
💬 Chat Applications
Some messaging and voice chat applications may reveal IP addresses, especially in peer-to-peer connections.
🔗 Link Tracking
Share a tracking link that logs visitor IP addresses when clicked (ensure this complies with privacy laws).
What Information You'll Get with This Tool
Our IP lookup tool provides comprehensive information about any IP address you search. Want to check your own IP address? Visit our main IP detection page to see your current IPv4 and IPv6 addresses instantly.
ISP and Organization
The Internet Service Provider and organization that owns the IP address range.
Geographic Location
Country, region/state, and city where the IP address is registered.
Coordinates
Latitude and longitude coordinates for approximate location mapping.
Hostname
The hostname associated with the IP address, if available.
ASN Information
Autonomous System Number and related network infrastructure details.
Timezone
The timezone associated with the IP address location.
What You Won't Get
It's important to understand the limitations of IP address lookup for privacy and legal reasons:
These privacy protections exist to safeguard Internet users while still providing useful network and geographic information.
Accuracy Information
The accuracy of IP geolocation varies by location and data source:
Country identification is highly accurate for most IP addresses worldwide.
Regional accuracy is very good, especially in North America and Europe.
City-level accuracy within a 25-mile radius. Lower in some international regions.
Understanding IP Addresses and Geolocation
Every device connected to the internet has an IP address - a unique numerical identifier that serves as your device's address on the global network. This address contains valuable information about your approximate location and network provider. If you're concerned about privacy, you might want to check if you're using a VPN or proxy service to mask your real location.
IPv4 vs IPv6 Addresses
There are two main types of IP addresses in use today:
IPv4 Addresses
Format: 192.168.1.1 (four groups of numbers)
Range: 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255
Total: Approximately 4.3 billion addresses
The original internet protocol, still widely used but gradually being replaced due to address exhaustion.
IPv6 Addresses
Format: 2001:db8::1 (eight groups of hexadecimal)
Range: Much longer addresses using letters and numbers
Total: 340 undecillion addresses (virtually unlimited)
The newer protocol designed to solve IPv4 address exhaustion and provide enhanced features.
How IP Geolocation Works
IP geolocation databases are maintained by specialized companies that collect and analyze network data from various sources:
- Regional Internet Registries (RIRs): Organizations that allocate IP address blocks to ISPs and organizations
- ISP Registration Data: Information provided by internet service providers about their network infrastructure
- Network Topology Analysis: Technical analysis of how networks are connected and routed
- User-Contributed Data: Voluntary location data from applications and services
Common Uses for IP Lookup
IP address lookup tools serve many legitimate purposes:
🔒 Security Analysis
Identify the source of suspicious network activity, spam, or potential security threats. Use our VPN detection tool to check if suspicious IPs are masked behind proxy services.
🎯 Content Localization
Deliver region-appropriate content, language, and pricing based on visitor location.
📊 Analytics & Research
Understand your website audience demographics and traffic patterns by geographic region.
🚫 Fraud Prevention
Detect suspicious activities by comparing claimed locations with actual IP locations.
🌐 Network Troubleshooting
Diagnose connectivity issues and trace network paths for technical support. If experiencing slow speeds, try our internet speed test to measure your connection performance.
⚖️ Legal Compliance
Ensure compliance with geographic restrictions and data protection regulations.
Privacy and Legal Considerations
While IP addresses are considered public information, it's important to use IP lookup tools responsibly:
✅ Acceptable Uses
- Network security and administration
- Website analytics and optimization
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Technical troubleshooting
- Academic research and education
⚠️ Use with Caution
- Always respect privacy laws in your jurisdiction
- Don't attempt to identify specific individuals
- Avoid using for harassment or stalking
- Be aware of accuracy limitations
- Consider legitimate business purposes only
Related Tools and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IP address lookup?
IP address lookup is a tool that retrieves detailed information about any IP address (IPv4 or IPv6). It shows the geographic location (country, region, city), ISP (Internet Service Provider), organization, timezone, ASN (Autonomous System Number), and network type. Our free IP lookup tool provides instant geolocation data and network details for any public IP address worldwide. Use it alongside our VPN detection tool for comprehensive network analysis.
How accurate is IP geolocation?
IP geolocation accuracy varies: Country-level is 95-99% accurate, City-level is 55-80% accurate, and Postal code level is 20-50% accurate. Accuracy depends on database quality, ISP data, mobile networks, VPN/proxy usage, and how frequently databases are updated. Our tool uses premium geolocation databases updated regularly for best accuracy. For precise location, GPS is required. Check our blog for more about IP addresses.
Can IP lookup show exact street address?
No, IP lookup cannot show exact street addresses or house numbers. It provides approximate location data like city, region, and country based on ISP registration data. IP addresses are assigned to ISPs, not physical addresses. For privacy and technical reasons, pinpoint accuracy is impossible with just an IP address. Only law enforcement with ISP cooperation can obtain precise subscriber information. Use WHOIS lookup for domain registration details.
What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 lookup?
IPv4 addresses use format like 192.168.1.1 (32-bit, 4.3 billion addresses), while IPv6 uses format like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 (128-bit, 340 undecillion addresses). IPv6 was created to solve IPv4 address exhaustion. Our tool supports both - simply enter any IPv4 or IPv6 address to get geolocation, ISP, and network details. IPv6 adoption is growing but IPv4 remains dominant. Check DNS lookup for AAAA records (IPv6).
Can I track someone's location with their IP address?
IP lookup shows approximate location (city/region), not real-time tracking or precise coordinates. It cannot track movement, show street addresses, or identify individuals. VPNs, proxies, and mobile networks further obscure actual location. Law enforcement requires ISP cooperation and legal process to identify IP users. For legitimate purposes, use IP geolocation for website analytics, fraud prevention, content localization, and network security. Combine with our browser info tool for complete visitor analysis.
Why does my IP show wrong location?
IP locations may be inaccurate due to: VPN/proxy usage masking real location, mobile carrier routing through different regions, ISP headquarters location vs actual location, database outdated information, recently assigned IP blocks, or shared IP addresses across multiple locations. If using VPN/proxy, disable it for accurate location. Database updates take time, so some IPs show old registration data. Test with our VPN detection tool to identify proxy usage.
Related guides
Learn why results vary, what websites can see, and how IP versions impact privacy.