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Finding the IP address of a Raspberry Pi is a basic but important task, especially when you want to connect to it using SSH, access a web server, configure a smart home system, or manage it without a monitor. The correct method depends on your setup: whether the Pi has a screen and keyboard, whether it is connected by Ethernet or WiFi, and whether you can access your router or another computer on the same network.

TLDR: The quickest way to find a Raspberry Pi’s IP address is to check your router’s connected devices list or run hostname -I directly on the Pi. If the Pi is headless, you can scan your local network using tools such as nmap, arp, or a trusted mobile network scanner. For long-term convenience, reserve a fixed IP address for the Raspberry Pi in your router settings.

Why the IP Address Matters

An IP address is the network address assigned to your Raspberry Pi. Without it, another computer usually cannot connect to the Pi over the local network. This is especially relevant if you use commands such as:

• ssh pi@192.168.1.25 to log in remotely
• http://192.168.1.25 to open a hosted web interface
• File sharing tools such as Samba, SFTP, or SCP
• Remote desktop services such as VNC

Most home networks assign IP addresses automatically using DHCP. This means the address can change over time unless you reserve it. For troubleshooting and administration, it is useful to know how to discover the current address and how to make it predictable.

Method 1: Use the Raspberry Pi Terminal

If your Raspberry Pi is connected to a monitor and keyboard, the most direct method is to ask the device itself. Open a terminal and run:

hostname -I

This command usually prints one or more IP addresses. The address you need is commonly in a private network range, such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x.

You can also use:

ip addr

This shows detailed information for network interfaces. Look for:

• wlan0 for WiFi
• eth0 for Ethernet
• inet followed by the IPv4 address

For example, if you see inet 192.168.1.42/24 under wlan0, the Raspberry Pi’s IP address is 192.168.1.42. The /24 part describes the network mask and is not normally needed when connecting.

Method 2: Check Your Router’s Device List

For many users, the router’s administration page is the most reliable place to look. Routers keep a list of devices that have requested an IP address. This list may be called Connected Devices, Attached Devices, DHCP Clients, or LAN Clients.

To use this method:

1. Open a browser on a computer connected to the same network.
2. Enter your router’s address, often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
3. Sign in with the router administrator credentials.
4. Find the connected devices or DHCP client list.
5. Look for a device named raspberrypi, raspberrypi.local, or a hostname you configured.

If you recently installed Raspberry Pi OS and did not change the hostname, the Pi often appears as raspberrypi. However, some routers show only a MAC address or manufacturer name. Raspberry Pi network adapters may appear with labels connected to Raspberry Pi, the WiFi chipset, or simply as an unknown device.

Method 3: Try the Local Hostname

On many networks, you may not need the numeric IP address at all. Raspberry Pi OS often supports local hostname discovery through mDNS. Try connecting with:

ssh pi@raspberrypi.local

Or, if you changed the username during setup:

ssh yourusername@raspberrypi.local

On macOS and many Linux systems, this works without extra configuration. On Windows, it often works in modern versions, but some older installations may require Bonjour or compatible mDNS support. If this method works, it is convenient because the name can remain usable even when the numeric IP address changes.

Method 4: Scan the Network from Another Computer

If you cannot access the Pi directly and your router interface is unclear, you can scan the local network. This should be done only on networks you own or are authorized to manage.

On Linux or macOS, first identify your own IP address:

ip addr

or:

ifconfig

If your computer is 192.168.1.10, your local network is likely 192.168.1.0/24. You can then use nmap:

nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

This performs a simple ping scan and lists active devices. Look for hostnames, MAC address vendors, or newly appearing devices. If SSH is enabled on the Raspberry Pi, you can also scan for devices with port 22 open:

nmap -p 22 192.168.1.0/24

On Windows, you can use:

arp -a

This displays devices your computer has recently seen on the network. You can also use reputable network scanning applications, but avoid unknown tools that request unnecessary permissions or come from untrusted sources.

Method 5: Use a Mobile Network Scanner

A practical option is to use a mobile app that scans devices on your WiFi network. These apps typically show IP addresses, hostnames, and sometimes manufacturer information. This can be helpful when the Pi is headless and you do not want to install command line tools.

Before relying on such an app, ensure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as the Raspberry Pi. Guest networks, mesh network isolation, or router security settings may prevent devices from seeing each other. If the Pi is connected by Ethernet and your phone is on WiFi, they should still be on the same local network unless your router separates wired and wireless clients.

Confirm You Found the Correct Device

Once you have a candidate IP address, test it. If SSH is enabled, run:

ssh username@192.168.1.42

Replace username and the IP address with your actual values. If you are running a web service on the Pi, open the address in a browser. You can also ping it:

ping 192.168.1.42

A positive ping response confirms that a device is reachable, but it does not prove it is the Raspberry Pi. To be more certain, compare the hostname, SSH login prompt, router details, or MAC address. If several devices are on the network, disconnecting and reconnecting the Pi while watching the router list can also help identify it.

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Assign a Stable IP Address

After finding the Raspberry Pi, consider giving it a stable address. The safest approach is usually a DHCP reservation in your router. This tells the router to always assign the same IP address to the Pi’s MAC address.

This is preferable to setting a static IP manually on the Pi because the router remains the central authority for your network. It also helps avoid accidental conflicts where two devices try to use the same address.

To reserve an address, open your router settings, find the DHCP or LAN section, select the Raspberry Pi, and choose an IP address outside or safely within the router’s managed range according to the router’s instructions. Save the settings and reboot the Pi or renew its network connection.

Common Problems to Check

• The Pi is not connected: Confirm the Ethernet cable is seated or the WiFi credentials are correct.
• You are on the wrong network: Your computer or phone must be on the same local network.
• Guest WiFi is enabled: Guest networks often block device discovery.
• SSH is disabled: You may find the IP address but still be unable to log in.
• The hostname changed: If you renamed the Pi, raspberrypi.local may no longer work.

Finding a Raspberry Pi’s IP address is usually straightforward once you know where to look. Start with the terminal if you have direct access, then check the router, try the local hostname, or scan the network when working headlessly. For reliable future access, reserve a fixed address in your router so the Pi is always easy to reach.