How to Find Someone’s IP Address: 4 Simple and Legal Methods

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and ethical use only. Always respect privacy laws and moral standards. Never use these methods for harmful or illegal purposes.

Finding someone’s IP address can be useful for network troubleshooting, verifying log data, or addressing abuse. Here are three effective methods, plus a handy tool you can use at the end.

Use an IP Address Lookup Tool

A fast and legal way to inspect IP information is through an online lookup service like AI DNSLookUp.

What It Offers:

Instantly displays your own IP address (both IPv4 and IPv6).

Includes details like location, ISP, and hostname.

Accepts manual input — you can paste any IP address to check where it's from.

🔍 Try it: Visit AI DNSLookUp – Check My IP

This is helpful for verifying log files, investigating suspicious access, or simply checking who’s connecting to your server.

Check Email Headers for IP Information

Email headers sometimes reveal the sender’s IP address — especially if they’re using self-hosted mail servers.

How to find it:

Gmail: Open the email → Click the 3-dot menu → “Show original”

Look for a line like:

Received: from [IP address]

Keep in mind: big email providers like Gmail or Outlook usually mask the sender’s IP for privacy. This method works best with lesser-known or corporate mail servers.

Monitor Direct Connections Using Network Tools

If you're using a peer-to-peer service (like a multiplayer game or legacy VoIP chat), you may be able to capture the IP of the other participant.

On Windows:

• Open Command Prompt.
• Use the command:

netstat -an

• While connected to the other person, look for new IP addresses marked as ESTABLISHED.

🧠 This method only works in direct connections. It won't show IPs from users behind a cloud-based service or VPN.

Use Command Prompt or Terminal to Resolve Domain IPs

Another simple way to find an IP address — especially for websites — is by using built-in system tools like Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on macOS.

Here’s how to do it on Windows:

Steps:

• Click on the Start menu and search for cmd or Command Prompt.
• To check your own IP address and network info, type:

ipconfig

You’ll see your IPv4 address, IPv6 address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway.

To find the IP address of a domain name (like google.com), type:

ping google.com

The result will include an IP address in parentheses, showing the server IP associated with that domain.

💡 This method works well for public servers and domains but doesn’t apply to personal users behind routers or VPNs.

Final Thoughts

Getting someone’s IP address isn’t always shady — it’s a normal part of managing servers, debugging traffic, or spotting suspicious activity. But remember:

• Always act within legal and ethical boundaries.
• An IP address reveals general location and ISP — not private details.
• If you're facing security issues, it's better to report to authorities or IT security professionals.