Want to host a game server, run a website from home, or access your device remotely? You’ll need a public IP. Here’s exactly how to get one — the easy way and the technical way.
A public IP address is a unique address assigned to your network by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that’s visible to the entire internet. It’s what allows other devices, servers, and websites out in the world to find and connect to you — unlike a private IP, which only works inside your home or office network.
| Factor | Public IP | Private IP |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Visible across the internet | Visible only within local network |
| Assigned by | ISP | Your router |
| Example | 103.22.45.10 | 192.168.1.5 |
| Used for | Hosting, remote access, gaming servers | Communication between devices at home/office |
Before trying to “get” a public IP, check whether you already have one:
Step 1 — Search “what is my IP” on Google, or visit a site like whatismyip.com — note the address shown.
Step 2 — Log into your router’s admin panel and check the WAN/Internet IP address.
Step 3 — Compare the two. If they match, you already have a public IP directly on your router. If they don’t match (or your router shows an address starting with 10.x, 100.64.x, or 172.16–31.x), you’re likely behind CGNAT — a shared IP system many ISPs use.
If you’re behind CGNAT or a shared IP, the most direct route is asking your Internet Service Provider directly.
Step 1 — Contact your ISP’s support and ask for a “static public IP address” or “dedicated IP” add-on.
Step 2 — Some ISPs offer this for free on business plans; others charge a small monthly fee for residential connections.
Step 3 — Once assigned, restart your router and re-check your IP using the same method as above to confirm it’s now public.
If your ISP won’t provide a public IP, some VPN providers offer a dedicated/static IP add-on. This routes your traffic through a fixed public IP owned by the VPN provider — useful for remote access or bypassing CGNAT, though it’s not a substitute for a true ISP-assigned public IP for hosting purposes.
If you’re trying to host a website, game server, or application — not just access your home network remotely — the simplest and most reliable path is renting a VPS or dedicated server, which always comes with a public IP included by default.
👉 Skip the ISP hassle entirely — every HostGraber VPS plan comes with a dedicated public IP by default.
Dynamic public IP — changes periodically (e.g., when your router restarts or your ISP rotates addresses). Fine for casual browsing, but unreliable for hosting anything long-term.
Static public IP — stays fixed permanently. Essential if you’re running a server, setting up remote access, or need a consistent address for DNS records to point to.
If you can’t get a static IP from your ISP, a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service can help — it automatically updates a domain name to always point to your current dynamic IP.
Getting a public IP depends on what you’re actually trying to do. For occasional remote access, an ISP add-on or VPN dedicated IP might be enough. But if you’re hosting anything meant to stay online reliably — a website, game server, or application — a VPS or dedicated server with a built-in public IP is almost always the simpler, more stable choice.
Some ISPs assign a public IP by default with no extra charge — check your router’s WAN IP against “what is my IP” to see if you already have one before paying for an add-on.
You’re likely behind CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT), a system many ISPs use to share one public IP across multiple customers — you’ll need to request a dedicated one directly.
Yes, as long as you configure a firewall and secure any exposed services — a public IP itself isn’t a security risk, but leaving open ports unprotected is.
Yes — a public IP is required for other devices on the internet to reach your server. Most people simplify this by using a VPS, which comes with one built-in.
A public IP just means it’s visible on the internet — it can still change over time (dynamic). A static IP is a public IP that stays fixed permanently.
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