What Is an IP Address? IPv4 vs. IPv6, Static vs. Dynamic IP

Every device that connects to the internet has an address: its IP address. We explain the difference between IPv4 and IPv6, static and dynamic IPs, and how to find your own IP address in plain language.

21 October 2026 4 min read

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique number assigned to every device connected to a network. Your phone, your computer, your router, and the servers that run websites all talk to each other using IP addresses. It works like a street address in the mail system: just as a letter needs an address to reach the right door, data on the internet needs an IP address to reach the right device.

What does an IP address look like?

The most common format, an IPv4 address, is made up of four numbers separated by dots. Each number is between 0 and 255:

192.168.1.10
185.12.64.7

Newer IPv6 addresses are longer, use colons as separators, and contain both letters and numbers:

2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6

IPv4 offers about 4.3 billion different addresses. In the early days of the internet, that seemed like plenty, but today there are billions of smart devices worldwide, and there are almost no unused IPv4 addresses left. That's why IPv4 addresses have become valuable.

IPv6 was developed to solve this problem, and it offers so many addresses that, in practice, they will never run out. Today the two systems are used side by side.

	IPv4	IPv6
Length	32 bits	128 bits
Example	203.0.113.5	2001:db8::1
Number of addresses	~4.3 billion	Practically unlimited
Adoption	Everywhere	Growing fast

Public vs. private (local) IP

All the devices in your home usually reach the internet through a single public IP. Your internet service provider assigns this address to your router, and other servers around the world see you by this address.

Devices inside your home get a private (local) IP from the router. The following ranges are used only on local networks and aren't directly visible on the internet:

10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255

Your router uses a method called NAT to translate the traffic from your local devices onto that single public IP.

Static vs. dynamic IP

Dynamic IP: An address that changes from time to time. Most home internet connections use dynamic IPs; your address may change when you restart your router.
Static IP: An address that stays the same. Servers, websites, and devices that need to be reached remotely require one, because if a site's address kept changing, visitors wouldn't be able to find it.

When you rent a VPS, your server is usually given a fixed IP address.

How IP addresses and domain names are related

People have a hard time remembering numbers like 185.12.64.7. That's why we use domain names. When you type turkiyevps.com into your browser, the DNS system translates that name into the correct IP address behind the scenes.

How do I find my IP address?

Your public IP: Just search for "what is my IP" in a search engine.
Local IP on Windows: Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and look for the "IPv4 Address" line.
Local IP on macOS / Linux: Use the ip addr or ifconfig command in the terminal.

IP address security

Your IP address alone doesn't reveal your identity, but it can show your approximate location and your internet provider. An important point for server owners: your server's IP address is publicly visible on the internet, and automated scanning bots constantly probe these addresses. That's why a strong password, SSH keys, and a firewall are a must. For details, see our Linux server security guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my IP address keep changing?

Most home internet connections use a dynamic IP. Your internet provider may assign you a new address when you restart your router or at regular intervals.

Can a device have more than one IP address?

Yes. A device can have both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address at the same time, as well as both a local and a public address. Servers can also be assigned multiple IPs.

What does 127.0.0.1 mean?

127.0.0.1 means "localhost," the device itself. Data sent to this address never leaves for the network; it loops back to the same computer. Developers use it often when testing their applications.

Do I need a separate IP address for my website?

On shared hosting, many websites share the same IP, and that isn't a problem. With a VPS, your server has its own IP address.

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