What Is a Private IP Address? Definition, Ranges, and Examples

Published: 13 Oct 2025

Whenever you connect your phone, laptop, or smart device to Wi-Fi, your router assigns it a unique identity and IP address.
But did you know that most of these devices use private IP addresses, not public ones?

In this guide, you’ll learn what a private IP address is, how it works, its IPv4 and IPv6 ranges, and how it differs from a public IP address. We’ll also cover how to find your private IP and the role of NAT (Network Address Translation) in connecting local networks to the Internet.

Table of Content

What Is a Private IP Address?
IPv4 Private IP Address Ranges
IPv6 Private IP Addresses (Unique Local Addresses)
Private IP vs Public IP
NAT (Network Address Translation) and Private IPs
1. How NAT Works:
Common Uses of Private IP Addresses
How to Find Your Private IP Address
Advantages of Private IP Addresses
Limitations of Private IP Addresses
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is a Private IP Address?

A private IP address is an address reserved for use within private networks such as your home, office, or organization’s local area network (LAN). These addresses are not routable on the public Internet.

In other words, a private IP address allows your devices to communicate internally without exposing them to the outside world.

Definition: A private IP address is a non-routable address used for internal communication within local networks, defined by RFC 1918 (IPv4) and RFC 4193 (IPv6).

Example:
Your phone might have the IP 192.168.1.5 inside your home network, while your router has the public IP 203.0.113.8 visible to the Internet.

IPv4 Private IP Address Ranges

IPv4 has three predefined private IP address ranges, divided into network classes:

Class	Private IP Address Range	CIDR Notation	No. of Addresses	Typical Use
A	10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255	10.0.0.0/8	16,777,216	Large enterprise networks
B	172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255	172.16.0.0/12	1,048,576	Medium-sized networks
C	192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255	192.168.0.0/16	65,536	Home and small office networks

Common Example:
Your home Wi-Fi network might assign IPs like 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3, etc., to your laptop and smartphone.

IPv6 Private IP Addresses (Unique Local Addresses)

With IPv6, the concept of private IP addresses still exists but is called Unique Local Addresses (ULA).

These are defined in RFC 4193 and designed to work similarly to IPv4 private ranges.

IPv6 Private Range: fc00::/7
Split into:
- fc00::/8 – Reserved for future use
- fd00::/8 – Commonly used for local networks

Example IPv6 Private Address:
fd12:3456:789a::1

Unlike IPv4 private IPs, IPv6 ULAs are globally unique, even though they aren’t routable on the Internet.

Private IP vs Public IP

Here’s a simple comparison to understand the difference between private and public IP addresses:

Feature	Private IP Address	Public IP Address
Routable on Internet	❌ No	✅ Yes
Scope	Internal / Local	Global
Assigned by	Router or Network Admin	ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Security	More secure (hidden from external access)	Exposed to Internet
Example	192.168.1.10	203.0.113.25
Use Case	Home or office LAN	Hosting a website, accessing online services

In short:
Private IPs operate inside your network, while public IPs connect you to the Internet.

NAT (Network Address Translation) and Private IPs

Since private IP addresses can’t directly access the Internet, your router uses Network Address Translation (NAT) to bridge the gap.

How NAT Works:

Your device (with a private IP like 192.168.1.5) sends a request to the Internet.
The router translates it to its public IP (e.g., 203.0.113.8).
When the response returns, NAT directs it back to your device.

This process lets multiple devices share one public IP address conserving IPs and improving security.

Types of NAT:

Here are the main types of NAT commonly used in computer networks:

Static NAT: One private ↔ one public IP
Dynamic NAT: Uses a pool of public IPs
PAT (Port Address Translation): Multiple private IPs share a single public IP (most common)

Example NAT Flow:
Laptop → Router (NAT) → Internet → Router → Laptop

Common Uses of Private IP Addresses

Private IPs are everywhere in today’s networking world.
Some major use cases include:

Home networks: PCs, phones, smart TVs, and IoT devices.
Office LANs: Internal servers, printers, file sharing, and communication.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): Securely connect remote private networks.
Cloud computing: AWS VPCs, Azure VNets, and Google Cloud subnets use private IPs for internal traffic.
Smart homes: Devices like Alexa, security cameras, and thermostats rely on private IP communication.

How to Find Your Private IP Address

Here’s how to check your private IP address on different systems:

Windows

Open Command Prompt
Type: ipconfig
Look for “IPv4 Address” → e.g., 192.168.1.4

macOS

Go to System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details
Find “IP Address”

Linux

Open Terminal
Run ifconfig or ip addr show

Android / iPhone

Go to Wi-Fi Settings → Network Info / Details
View “IP address”

Router

Log in to your router’s admin panel (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
Look under “Connected Devices” or “LAN Settings”

Advantages of Private IP Addresses

The following are some major benefits of private IP addresses that make them essential for secure networking:

Conserves public IP addresses
Enhances security by hiding internal devices
Reduces network costs
Easier to configure and manage locally
Supports multiple devices under one Internet connection (via NAT)

Limitations of Private IP Addresses

Here are a few limitations that highlight the challenges of using private IP addresses in modern networks:

Not directly accessible from the Internet
Requires NAT for online communication
IP conflicts can occur when merging networks
Complex setups for external access (e.g., hosting servers internally)

Conclusion

Private IP addresses are the foundation of modern networking, allowing millions of devices to connect internally while sharing a limited number of public IPs.

They’re secure, efficient, and essential for everything from your home Wi-Fi to global data centers.
As we move toward IPv6, private addressing remains key to managing networks smartly and safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about private IP addresses:

What is a private IP address used for?

Private IPs are used for internal communication between devices on the same local network, like computers, routers, and IoT devices. They enable file sharing and Internet access through one router without exposing devices publicly.

Can a private IP access the Internet?

Private IPs can’t directly access the Internet because they’re not routable. However, they can go online through a NAT router, which converts the private IP into a public IP.

Are private IP addresses unique?

Private IPs are unique only within your local network but can repeat in other networks. This reuse helps conserve the limited number of public IPv4 addresses.

Do IPv6 addresses also have private types?

Yes, IPv6 has Unique Local Addresses (ULAs) for internal communication. These work like IPv4 private IPs but are globally unique to prevent overlap.

How do I find my private IP address?

Use ipconfig (Windows), ifconfig (Linux), or check your Wi-Fi settings on mobile to find your private IP. You can also view it in your router’s admin panel.

Can I change my private IP address?

Yes, you can change it manually (static) or automatically via DHCP. This helps fix network conflicts or customize your device’s connection.