IP Lookup Tool

What is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to a computer network. Think of it as a mailing address for your device on the internet. There are two main types:

• IPv4: The most common format, consisting of four numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
• IPv6: The newer format designed to replace IPv4, using hexadecimal notation (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)

How IP Geolocation Works

IP geolocation determines the approximate physical location of an IP address by analyzing routing information and regional IP address allocations. Our tool uses:

• MaxMind GeoLite2 Database: Industry-standard geolocation database providing accurate city and country-level data
• ISP Information: Internet Service Provider details from ip-api.com
• ASN Data: Autonomous System Number identifying the network operator
• Reverse DNS: Hostname lookup for additional network information

Important Note: IP geolocation provides an approximate location, typically accurate to the city level. It shows where your ISP's network infrastructure is located, not necessarily your exact physical address.

Understanding IP Lookup Results

Location Data

Our IP lookup provides detailed geographic information:

• Country: The country where the IP address is registered or routed through
• City: The city-level location (when available)
• Region/State: State or province information
• Coordinates: Latitude and longitude for mapping purposes

Network Information

Technical details about the network:

• ISP (Internet Service Provider): The company providing internet service for this IP address
• ASN (Autonomous System Number): A unique number identifying the network operator's routing domain
• Organization: The registered organization name for the IP address
• Hostname: Reverse DNS lookup result showing the domain name associated with the IP

Common Use Cases for IP Lookup

• Security: Identify suspicious login attempts or track potential security threats
• Content Localization: Display region-specific content based on user location
• Analytics: Understand where your website visitors are located
• Compliance: Ensure content restrictions based on geographic regulations
• Network Troubleshooting: Diagnose routing issues and network problems
• Fraud Prevention: Detect unusual patterns or verify user locations

Public vs Private IP Addresses

Understanding the difference between public and private IP addresses:

Public IP Address

A public IP address is assigned by your ISP and is visible to the internet. This is what websites see when you visit them. Our tool detects your public IP address automatically.

Private IP Address

Private IP addresses are used within local networks (home, office, etc.) and are not routable on the public internet. Common private IP ranges include:

• 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
• 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
• 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
• 127.0.0.1 (localhost)

Our tool will indicate if an IP address is private or localhost.

Privacy and IP Addresses

Your IP address reveals some information about your location and network, but it doesn't expose your exact physical address or personal identity. Here's what you should know:

• IP addresses show general location (city/region level), not exact addresses
• Your ISP assigns IP addresses, which may change periodically
• Using a VPN can mask your real IP address and location
• Websites can see your IP address when you visit them
• IP addresses alone cannot identify individual users without additional data

How to Use Our IP Lookup Tool

1. Auto-Detection: When you visit the page, your IP address is automatically detected and displayed
2. Manual Lookup: Enter any IP address (IPv4 or IPv6) in the input field to look up its details
3. View Results: See comprehensive information including location, ISP, ASN, and network details
4. Map View: Click on the map preview to view the location on Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions