IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of the Internet Protocol. Both help route data between networks, but they use different address formats and address spaces. Seeing an IPv6 address is not automatically a privacy problem, and IPv6 does not guarantee faster internet. The practical result depends on your provider, device, router, and the website or service you are using.
How IPv4 addresses look
IPv4 addresses contain 32 bits and are usually written as four
decimal numbers separated by dots, such as 203.0.113.42.
That example belongs to a range reserved for documentation, not a normal
public endpoint. With roughly 4.3 billion total combinations, IPv4
address supply became limited as the internet expanded. Private networks
and Network Address Translation help many devices share fewer public
IPv4 addresses.
How IPv6 addresses look
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, commonly written as hexadecimal groups
separated by colons, such as 2001:db8::1 (also a
documentation example). The address space is vastly larger, giving
providers much more room to assign addresses without relying on the same
level of public IPv4 sharing. IPv6 also includes modern
address-configuration and neighbor-discovery mechanisms.
Why a device may use both
Many networks use dual stack, meaning IPv4 and IPv6 are both available. Applications and operating systems can choose a working route based on network support and connection behavior. As a result, an IPv4-only checker may display a different address from an IPv6-capable checker. That difference can be normal rather than evidence of a leak or malfunction.
Privacy and security differences
Neither protocol automatically makes a connection private. Publicly routable IPv6 addresses can reach devices when network and firewall policy permits it, so router firewalls still matter. Modern operating systems may use temporary IPv6 addresses to reduce long-term correlation, but behavior differs by platform and configuration. IPv4 NAT is not a substitute for a firewall, and IPv6 is not inherently insecure.
How to test your setup
- Open the KiwiVPN public IP checker and note the IP version displayed.
- Confirm that your browser and network support IPv6 using a reputable IPv4/IPv6 test.
- Compare results while connected and disconnected from any VPN you use.
- Keep router firmware, operating systems, and firewall rules updated.
- If IPv6 fails, diagnose provider or router configuration before disabling it as a blanket privacy fix.
Common questions
Is IPv6 more dangerous than IPv4?
Not inherently. Exposure depends on firewall rules, services listening on the device, updates, and the network’s configuration.
Is IPv6 faster?
It can be more efficient on some routes, but speed depends on the provider, peering, congestion, and destination. The address version alone does not predict speed.
Why does my VPN show IPv4 but not IPv6?
Some VPN products do not support IPv6 or route it differently. Consult the provider’s documentation and test carefully to understand whether traffic bypasses the tunnel.
Related KiwiVPN guides
Read How IP addresses work, Public and private IP addresses, and DNS leaks.
Further reading
Browse all KiwiVPN guides or return to the public IP checker.