People say “my IP address” when they mean three different things. Mixing them up is why port forwarding fails, why router login pages do not open, and why “what is my IP” tools seem to disagree with the sticker on your modem.
Public IP (WAN): what the internet sees
Your public IP is assigned by your internet provider. Websites, game servers, and remote-access tools see this address. It can change when the router reboots (dynamic IP) unless you pay for a static IP.
Check it anytime with How to find my IP address (What is my IP?).
Local IP (LAN): your device on Wi-Fi
Your local IP (also called LAN IP or private IP) identifies one device inside your home network, for example 192.168.1.50 for a laptop. Other devices on the same router use it to reach printers, NAS boxes, or cameras. The public internet cannot dial a private IP directly.
Find it with local IP for your router network, or in Windows and iPhone network details.
Gateway IP: the router admin address
The gateway IP (default gateway) is usually the router itself. Common values are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. You type this into the browser to open the admin login page.
Learn the login flow in How to log into your router. Browse more gateways on router IP addresses.
Quick comparison
- Public IP → internet identity → What is my IP?
- Local IP → your phone or PC on Wi-Fi → What is my local IP?
- Gateway IP → router admin panel → IP address guides
Which one do I need?
- Changing Wi-Fi password or parental controls → gateway IP login
- Port forwarding to a PC or camera → local IP of that device, plus public IP for outside tests
- “What’s my IP for a game server whitelist?” → usually public IP
- “Why can’t I open 192.168.1.1?” → gateway troubleshooting, not the public IP tool
Also useful: which gateway IP is which, plus device guides for Windows and iPhone.
