In networking, understanding Public IP and Private IP is essential. Every device connected to the internet has an IP address, but it can be either public or private depending on where it is used.

Public IP

• Assigned by your ISP and accessible over the internet.
• Unique globally; no two devices can share the same public IP at the same time.
• Used to identify your network to other networks on the internet.
• Example: 103.21.45.67

Private IP

• Used within local networks (LAN) and not directly accessible from the internet.
• Can be reused in different private networks.
• Helps devices communicate inside your home or office network.
• Example ranges: 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x – 172.31.x.x

Key Differences

Feature	Public IP	Private IP
Visibility	Accessible from the internet	Local network only
Uniqueness	Globally unique	Unique only within LAN
Assigned by	ISP	Router / Network Admin
Purpose	Internet communication	Internal network communication

How to Find Your Public & Private IP

• Use online tools to check My IP (public IP).
• Check device settings to see local IP (private IP).
• Understanding both helps in troubleshooting network issues.

FAQ

• What is the difference between Public IP and Private IP? — Public IP is internet-facing, Private IP is internal.
• Can multiple devices share the same Private IP? — Not within the same LAN, but different networks can reuse it.
• Do I need to know my Public IP? — Yes, for remote access, gaming, VPN, or network troubleshooting.
• Are Public IPs static or dynamic? — Both; ISPs may assign static or dynamic public IPs.