What Is an IP Address, and What Do the Initials Mean?

People use the internet every day, often without noticing the addressing system that helps their devices communicate. Smartphones, computers, smart home devices and network-connected printers all rely on an IP address.

IP stands for Internet Protocol, the set of rules used to address and route data across networks. An IP address identifies a network connection and helps direct information to its destination.

When someone opens a website or sends information online, data travels in packets. IP addresses help networks route those packets between the devices involved.

Not every device has its own public address on the internet. Devices on a home network can use private addresses while sharing a public address through their router.

An IP address is also not necessarily permanent. It may change when a device joins a different network or when its internet provider assigns a new address. Rather than serving as a fixed identity for a person, it is primarily a tool for network communication.