What does IP stand for? In tech it stands for Internet Protocol, the set of rules that lets computers find each other and pass data across a network. So when someone says "IP address," they mean the number that marks one device on that network, much like a street address marks one house.
Outside of tech, the same two letters often mean intellectual property, the legal term for creations of the mind such as inventions, logos and stories. The setting usually makes the meaning clear: a router screen points to the first, a contract or a film studio to the second.
Quick facts
Stands for
Internet Protocol (tech)Other meanings
Intellectual property, innings pitched, inpatientType
Initialism, said I PCommon phrase
IP addressVersions in use
IPv4 and IPv6Related terms
TCP, DNS, ISP, VPN
What does IP stand for in IP address?
In "IP address," IP means Internet Protocol. A protocol is an agreed set of rules. This one says how data is split into small packets, how each packet is labeled with where it came from and where it is going, and how routers pass it along until it arrives.
An IP address is the label in that system. Every phone, laptop, printer or smart speaker on a network gets one. The protocol usually works with TCP, which checks that every packet shows up and in the right order. Together they are often written TCP/IP.
On a settings screen: "IP address: 192.168.1.24." This is the number your home router gave that device, so other devices in the house can reach it.
IPv4 and IPv6, the two address styles
Two versions of the protocol are in wide use, and they write addresses differently.
| Version | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IPv4 | 203.0.113.7 | Four numbers from 0 to 255, split by dots |
| IPv6 | 2001:db8::1 | Groups of letters and numbers, split by colons |
IPv4 has about 4.3 billion possible addresses, which is not enough for every device in the world. IPv6 was built with a far larger pool. Many networks run both at once, so your device may show one address of each kind.
Public and private IP addresses
Your home network has one public address, given by your ISP, which the rest of the internet sees. Inside the house, the router hands out private addresses to each device, often starting with 192.168 or 10. The router keeps track of which request came from which device.
Websites see the public address, which can show your rough region but not your street. A VPN sends traffic through another server, so sites see that server's address instead. People rarely type addresses by hand, since DNS turns a site name into its number for you.
Other things IP stands for
The letters show up in many fields. Here are the meanings people search for most, roughly in order.
| Field | Stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Internet and networking | Internet Protocol | "Find the printer's IP address." |
| Law and business | Intellectual property | "The studio owns the IP for the series." |
| Baseball | Innings pitched | "He has 150 IP this season." |
| Hospitals | Inpatient | "IP admission, three nights." |
| Electronics ratings | Ingress protection | "An IP67 rating means dust tight and water resistant." |
In games and entertainment news, "a new IP" means a brand new story world rather than a sequel. On a gadget box, an IP rating uses two digits: the first for dust, the second for water.
How to say and write IP
Say each letter: "I P." Use two capitals and skip the periods. The first sound is "eye," so use "an" before it: "an IP address," "an IP lawyer." The plural is IPs, as in "blocked IPs," though many writers say "IP addresses" to be clear.
For more internet letters, browse our tech acronyms, or read how short forms differ in what is an acronym.
IP in everyday sentences
- "The smart TV lost its IP address after the power outage."
- "Ask the help desk to whitelist our office IP."
- "The game company is building a new IP instead of another sequel."
- "The pitcher threw six IP and allowed one run."
- "Restart the router and the laptop should get a fresh IP."
Questions people ask
What does IP address stand for?
IP address stands for Internet Protocol address. It is the number a network gives each device so data can reach the right place.
Can someone find me by my IP address?
An IP address usually shows only a rough area, like a city, and the internet provider. Matching it to a person normally takes records held by that provider.
What does IP mean in business?
In business and law, IP usually means intellectual property: patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets that a person or company owns.
How do I find my IP address?
On most devices, open the network or Wi-Fi settings and look for the IP address line. That shows your private address; your public one is the address your router shows to the internet.
Is IP an acronym?
No. You pronounce I and P as two separate letters, which makes IP an initialism.