Public vs Private IP Address

A public IP address is unique on the internet and is assigned by your internet service provider; websites see it when you connect. A private IP address is used only inside a local network and is not reachable directly from the internet.

The private IPv4 ranges are 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255. Many devices at home share one public address through NAT on the router. A public IP can be static (fixed) or dynamic (changes from time to time).