Setting up a Raspberry Pi is exciting because this tiny computer can become almost anything: a media server, smart home hub, retro gaming console, weather station, or network monitor. But before you can connect to it remotely, transfer files, or manage it over your home network, you need one important detail: its IP address. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to find it, whether you have a monitor attached or are running your Pi completely “headless.”
TLDR: The quickest way to find your Raspberry Pi’s IP address is to check your router’s connected devices list or run hostname -I directly on the Pi. If you are using another computer on the same network, tools like ping raspberrypi.local, arp -a, or a network scanner can help. For long-term convenience, consider setting a reserved IP address in your router so your Pi is always easy to find.
Why the IP Address Matters
An IP address is like a street address for a device on a network. When your Raspberry Pi connects to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, your router assigns it an address such as 192.168.1.42. You need this address for tasks like connecting with SSH, accessing a web server hosted on the Pi, using VNC remote desktop, or sending files over the network.
Most home networks use dynamic IP addresses, meaning the router can change the address from time to time. That is why knowing how to discover the current address is useful, especially if you frequently reboot, move, or reimage your Raspberry Pi.
Method 1: Use the Raspberry Pi Terminal
If your Raspberry Pi is connected to a monitor and keyboard, this is the simplest method. Open a terminal window and type:
hostname -I
Press Enter, and you should see one or more IP addresses. The one you want usually looks like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x. If you see more than one address, your Pi may be connected through both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, or it may have additional network interfaces.
You can also use:
ip addr
This command gives more detail. Look for sections such as wlan0 for Wi-Fi or eth0 for Ethernet. The IP address appears after inet. For example:
inet 192.168.1.42/24
In this case, the Raspberry Pi’s IP address is 192.168.1.42.
Method 2: Check Your Router’s Device List
If your Raspberry Pi is running without a screen, checking your router is often the most reliable approach. Open a browser on a computer or phone connected to the same network and visit your router’s admin page. Common router addresses include:
192.168.0.1192.168.1.110.0.0.1
Log in using your router credentials, then look for a section called Connected Devices, DHCP Clients, LAN Devices, or Attached Devices. Your Raspberry Pi may appear as raspberrypi, raspberrypi.local, or sometimes simply as an unknown device with a manufacturer name.
This method is especially helpful because it shows all devices connected to your network. If you have multiple Raspberry Pis, it may take a little detective work. You can compare MAC addresses, disconnect and reconnect the Pi, or rename each Pi to make them easier to identify later.
Method 3: Try raspberrypi.local
Many Raspberry Pi systems support mDNS, which lets you reach the device using a local hostname instead of an IP address. From another computer on the same network, try:
ping raspberrypi.local
On Windows, macOS, or Linux, this may return something like:
Reply from 192.168.1.42
That number is your Pi’s IP address. You can then use it for SSH:
ssh pi@192.168.1.42
Or, if hostname resolution works well on your network, you may not need the IP address at all:
ssh pi@raspberrypi.local
However, this method does not work in every environment. Some networks block or fail to support mDNS properly, and some Windows systems may need extra Bonjour support. Still, it is quick enough to try first.
Method 4: Use arp from Another Computer
The arp command displays a list of devices your computer has recently seen on the local network. First, you can ping the general broadcast range or simply interact with devices on the network. Then run:
arp -a
You will see a table of IP addresses and hardware addresses. Look for an entry that may correspond to your Raspberry Pi. This method is less beginner-friendly because the device names are not always displayed, but it can be useful when other techniques fail.
If you know your Raspberry Pi’s MAC address, arp -a becomes much more powerful. Raspberry Pi MAC addresses often begin with prefixes associated with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, though newer boards and different network chips can vary.
Method 5: Use a Network Scanner App
A network scanner is one of the most convenient choices for beginners. These tools scan your local network and show connected devices, names, IP addresses, and sometimes manufacturers. Popular options include mobile apps and desktop utilities that can quickly reveal your Raspberry Pi on the network.
When using a scanner, make sure your phone or computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Raspberry Pi. If your router has separate guest networks, mesh segments, or isolated Wi-Fi settings, the scanner might not see the Pi even though both devices are online.
Network scanners are particularly useful when you are working with a headless Raspberry Pi and do not want to log in to your router. They also make it easy to spot duplicate devices, old connections, or unexpected gadgets on your network.
Method 6: Connect via Ethernet for Easier Discovery
If Wi-Fi setup is causing trouble, plug the Raspberry Pi directly into your router with an Ethernet cable. In most cases, the Pi will automatically request an IP address from the router. Then check the router’s connected devices list or run a network scan again.
Ethernet is often more predictable than Wi-Fi during initial setup. Once you know the Pi is working and can connect to it, you can troubleshoot wireless settings from the command line or desktop interface.
How to Find the IP Address on Raspberry Pi OS Desktop
If you are using the graphical version of Raspberry Pi OS, you can also find the IP address without typing commands. Look at the network icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Hover over it or click it, and you may see details about the current connection, including the assigned IP address.
This is a friendly option for users who are more comfortable with menus than terminals. Still, learning the terminal method is worthwhile because it works consistently across different Raspberry Pi models and installations.
What If You Still Cannot Find It?
If none of the methods work, the Raspberry Pi may not actually be connected to the network. Check the following:
- Power: Make sure the Pi is fully powered and not stuck during boot.
- Wi-Fi credentials: Confirm the network name and password are correct.
- SD card: A corrupted or incomplete installation can prevent normal startup.
- Router settings: Guest networks, device isolation, or MAC filtering can block access.
- Cables: If using Ethernet, try another cable or router port.
Also remember that your Pi and your computer must usually be on the same local network. If your computer is on a VPN, a guest Wi-Fi network, or a different subnet, it may not see the Raspberry Pi.
Make It Easier Next Time: Reserve an IP Address
Once you find your Raspberry Pi’s IP address, consider setting a DHCP reservation in your router. This tells the router to always give the same IP address to your Pi. It is usually better than manually setting a static IP on the Pi because the router remains in charge of avoiding conflicts.
To do this, open your router settings, find the DHCP or LAN section, select your Raspberry Pi, and reserve its current address. After that, you can reliably connect to the same IP every time.
Final Thoughts
Finding your Raspberry Pi’s IP address is a small step, but it unlocks much of what makes the Pi so useful. Whether you use hostname -I, your router’s device list, raspberrypi.local, or a network scanner, the goal is the same: getting a reliable path into your little computer. Once you know where it lives on your network, you can control it remotely, build projects faster, and spend less time hunting for numbers.