Your router and your laptop can show different IP addresses, and both can be correct. A private IP is used inside a local network. A public IP is the address through which traffic is reachable on the wider internet. Understanding the difference helps with troubleshooting, remote access, gaming, and interpreting online IP checkers.
What is a private IP address?
Private IPv4 addresses are reserved for local networks and are not
directly routed across the public internet. The main ranges are
10.0.0.0 through 10.255.255.255,
172.16.0.0 through 172.31.255.255, and
192.168.0.0 through 192.168.255.255. A home
router might assign your laptop 192.168.1.25, while a phone
receives 192.168.1.26. Those addresses help the router
deliver traffic to the right device inside your home.
A private address does not mean a device is automatically secure. Other devices on the same network may be able to communicate with it depending on firewall rules and services, so updates and access controls still matter.
What is a public IP address?
A public IP is used for internet routing. Websites and online services generally see the public address of your router, mobile carrier gateway, office, or VPN exit server. Many homes share one public IPv4 address across several devices through Network Address Translation (NAT).
Some internet providers use carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), which means a number of customers may share one public IPv4 address. Your router’s internet-facing address may itself be in a private or shared range, while a public checker sees the provider’s outward-facing IP.
How to find each one
To see the public address, open the KiwiVPN public IP checker. To find a
local address, use your operating system’s network settings. On Windows,
ipconfig in Command Prompt shows the IPv4 address for each
network adapter; on macOS, use System Settings > Network or
ifconfig in Terminal. Menu names can vary by version.
When comparing results, ensure you are looking at the active adapter. A device may have separate entries for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, a VPN, and virtual adapters.
Why they matter
A local address is useful for printer setup, file sharing, router administration, and internal troubleshooting. A public address is relevant when a website records connection details or when you troubleshoot inbound hosting and remote access. Avoid exposing router administration to the internet just to make a local device reachable; use a secure, supported remote-access method instead.
Common questions
Can someone on the internet directly connect to my private IP?
Private addresses are not globally routed, so they normally cannot be reached directly from the public internet. A router, VPN, or other network path can change that arrangement.
Does a private IP protect me from hackers?
No. It is a routing arrangement, not a complete security control. Use firewalls, updates, strong router credentials, and careful sharing settings.
Why is the public address the same on my phone and laptop?
If both devices use the same home Wi-Fi, they commonly share the same public IPv4 address through the router.
Related KiwiVPN guides
Continue with How IP addresses work, NAT explained, and Carrier-grade NAT.
Further reading
Browse all KiwiVPN guides or return to the public IP checker.