You open your Windows Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and see an address like 192.168.1.15. But then, you visit TrustMyIP.com, and our tool shows you something completely different—perhaps something like 103.22.14.155. At first glance, it feels like someone is lying to you. Is your computer wrong? Is TrustMyIP broken?
"Neither is wrong. You are simply witnessing the two different layers of the modern internet: the Private IP and the Public IP. Understanding this distinction is critical for your privacy, troubleshooting, and network security in 2026."
1. What is a Private IP Address? (The Internal Identity)
Think of your home or office as an apartment building. Your Private IP address is like your room number. It identifies your specific device (your laptop, smartphone, or smart fridge) within your local network (LAN).
Your router acts as the "Manager" of this building. It assigns these internal numbers using a protocol called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). These addresses are usually chosen from specific non-routable ranges:
- • 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 (Common for home routers)
- • 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 (Common for corporate intranets)
- • 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 (Common for massive enterprises)
Key Fact: Private IPs are invisible to the outside world. Google, Facebook, and TrustMyIP cannot "see" your internal 192.168.x.x address. It only exists inside your four walls.
2. What is a Public IP Address? (The Global Identity)
If the Private IP is your room number, the Public IP address is the actual street address of the entire apartment building. This is the global identity provided to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Every piece of data that leaves your house and enters the vast ocean of the internet travels under this Public IP. This is the address that websites use to send information back to you. Without a Public IP, you couldn't browse the web, stream movies, or check your emails.
3. Which One is TrustMyIP Showing?
TrustMyIP always shows your Public IP address.
Why? Because TrustMyIP acts as a Digital Mirror. When you visit our IP Checker, our server looks at the request coming in and identifies the global address from which the request originated. This is your Digital Footprint—the information that every website, hacker, and advertiser sees.
Verification Suite
Why knowing your Public IP is vital:
VPN Validation
Ensures your VPN is actually working. It should show the VPN's IP, not your home ISP.
Geolocation Audit
Verify if your ISP is leaking your real city. If it's wrong, read our Geolocation guide.
Security Status
Identify if your IP is flagged on global Reputation Checkers or firewalls.
4. How the Magic Happens: Network Address Translation (NAT)
You might wonder: "If my laptop has a Private IP, how does TrustMyIP see my Public IP?" The answer lies in a technology called NAT (Network Address Translation).
When you click a link, your router "strips away" your Private IP (192.168.x.x) and replaces it with your Public IP before sending it to the internet. When the website responds, the router remembers which device asked for it and translates it back to your specific room number (Private IP).
5. Comparison: Public IP vs. Private IP at a Glance
| Feature | Private IP | Public IP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Local Network (LAN) | Global Internet (WAN) |
| Assigned By | Your Local Router | Your ISP |
| Visibility | Invisible to external sites | Visible to everyone online |
| Cost | Free | Included in internet bill |
6. Why Should You Care Which One is Being Shown?
Understanding what TrustMyIP shows is vital for Cyber Hygiene. Here is why professionals use our tool daily:
Remote Access
To host a server, you need your Public IP. You must also configure "Port Forwarding" to bridge the gap to your Private IP.
Privacy Checks
If using VPN or Tor, TrustMyIP should never show your real ISP Public IP. If it does, you have an "IP Leak".
Blacklist Monitoring
If your Public IP is blacklisted, you might face email delivery issues. Use your IP in our audit tools to clear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people have the same Private IP?
Yes! Millions of routers use 192.168.1.1. This is possible because private IPs only matter within their own separate networks.
Can two people have the same Public IP?
In one home, yes. Globally, no—unless your ISP uses Carrier Grade NAT (CGNAT), where multiple households share one global IP.
How can I find my Private IP?
On Windows, type ipconfig in CMD. On Mac, go to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details.
How can I hide my Public IP?
Use a high-quality VPN. This replaces your Public IP with the VPN server's IP, masking your real identity from tools and websites.
Conclusion: Knowledge is Power
Now you know the truth: TrustMyIP is showing you your Public IP address—the address that defines your existence on the global web. While your Private IP is essential for communicating with your printer or other devices at home, your Public IP is what determines your location, your ISP identity, and your security status online. Stay informed, stay secure.
Audit Your Digital Footprint
Is your ISP leaking more than just your IP? Use our diagnostic suite to analyze your headers, DNS records, and reputation in one click.