How to determine if you are on IPv4 or IPv6 ?


To determine whether you are using IPv4 or IPv6, you can check your network settings or use online tools. Here are a few methods to do so:

Method 1: Check Network Settings (Windows):

  1. Click on the network icon in the taskbar (usually located at the bottom-right corner).
  2. Click on “Network & Internet settings.”
  3. In the Settings window, click on “Change adapter options.”
  4. Right-click on your active network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select “Status.”
  5. In the Connection Status window, look for the “IPv4 Connectivity” and “IPv6 Connectivity” sections.
  6. If “IPv4 Connectivity” shows “Internet” and “IPv6 Connectivity” shows “No Internet access” or “Limited,” you are using IPv4. If both show “Internet,” you are using both IPv4 and IPv6.

Method 2: Check Network Settings (Mac):

  1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
  2. Click on “Network.”
  3. Select your active network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar.
  4. Look for the “IPv4 Address” and “IPv6 Address” sections.
  5. If an IPv4 address is displayed, but no IPv6 address is shown, you are using IPv4. If both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are displayed, you are using both.

Method 3: Use Online Tools:

There are various websites that can determine your IP address and tell you whether it is an IPv4 or IPv6 address. Simply search for “What is my IP” in a search engine, and you’ll find several websites providing this information.

Method 4: Command Prompt or Terminal (Windows, Mac, Linux):

  1. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac and Linux).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:scssCopy codeipconfig (Windows) ifconfig (Mac and Linux)
  3. Look for the IP address listed under the appropriate network adapter. If the IP address starts with “192.” or “10.”, it’s likely an IPv4 address. If it starts with “fe80:” or “2xxx:”, it’s likely an IPv6 address.

These methods will help you determine whether you are using IPv4 or IPv6 on your network. In most cases, modern networks support both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously (dual-stack configuration).