A public IP address is a unique identifier assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that allows your device or network to communicate directly with other devices on the internet. This address is visible from the internet and enables direct access to your system or server.

In contrast, a private IP address is used only within internal networks (e.g., home or office networks) and is not directly accessible from the internet.

Why Is It Important to Know If You Have a Public IP?

• Hosting a server – Required for running a web, gaming, or FTP server.
• Remote access – Needed for VPN connections, remote desktop (RDP), or accessing a NAS server.
• Security concerns – Public IPs are more vulnerable to cyber threats, so proper firewall settings are crucial.

How to Check If You Have a Public IP Address?

1. Check Your Current IP Using Online Tools

   • Visit one of these websites:
     • What Is My IP
     • My IP Address
     • Moje IP adresa
   • If the IP address shown is outside the private IP ranges (see below), you likely have a public IP.

2. Compare with Private IP Ranges

   • If your IP address falls within these ranges, you have a private IP:
     • 10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255
     • 172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255
     • 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255
   • If your IP is outside these ranges, it is likely public.

3. Check Your Router’s WAN IP Address

   • Log in to your router’s admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
   • Look for a section labeled WAN Status or Internet IP Address.
   • If this IP matches the one found via an online test (step 1), you have a public IP.
   • If the router displays a different IP than the online tool, your ISP is likely using CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT), meaning you have a shared private IP.

4. Use Ping or Traceroute Commands

   • Open the command prompt (Windows: cmd, macOS/Linux: Terminal) and run:

     tracert 8.8.8.8  (Windows)
     traceroute 8.8.8.8  (macOS/Linux)
     ​

   • If the first or second hop in the list matches your public IP from the online test, you have a direct public connection.
   • If there’s an intermediate IP before reaching the internet, you are likely behind NAT.

5. Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

   • If you’re unsure, ask your ISP whether they provide you with a public IP or use CGNAT.

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Public IP?

• Request a Public IP from Your ISP – Some ISPs offer this for free, while others charge a fee.
• Use Dynamic DNS (DDNS) – If your ISP assigns a dynamic public IP, services like No-IP or DuckDNS allow you to link your changing IP to a fixed domain name.
• Use a VPN with a Public IP – Some VPN providers offer public IP addresses, which can be an alternative to getting a static IP.

Checking whether you have a public IP address can be done using online tools, router settings, or ISP confirmation. If you need a public IP for hosting or remote access, you can request one from your ISP or use alternatives like DDNS or VPN services.