The Internet Protocol has two versions in active use today: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 has been the backbone of the internet since 1983, but its limited address space led to the creation of IPv6. Understanding both is essential as the internet continues its slow but steady transition.
IPv4 addresses are written as four decimal numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.1. Each number ranges from 0 to 255, giving us 32 bits of address space — roughly 4.3 billion unique addresses.
That sounded like a lot in the early days. But with smartphones, IoT devices, and billions of internet users, we've effectively run out. The last blocks of IPv4 addresses were allocated in 2011. Today, techniques like NAT (Network Address Translation) help stretch the remaining supply, but it's a workaround, not a solution.
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses written in hexadecimal, like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. This provides approximately 340 undecillion (3.4 × 10³⁸) unique addresses — enough to assign a unique address to every atom on the surface of the Earth, and then some.
Beyond the massive address space, IPv6 brings genuine technical improvements:
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address size | 32 bits | 128 bits |
| Format | Dotted decimal (192.0.2.1) | Hexadecimal (2001:db8::1) |
| Total addresses | ~4.3 billion | ~340 undecillion |
| NAT required | Commonly used | Not needed |
| Security | Optional (IPsec add-on) | Built-in IPsec |
| Header complexity | Variable length | Fixed, simpler |
| Configuration | Manual or DHCP | Auto-configuration (SLAAC) |
As of 2026, roughly 45% of global internet traffic uses IPv6, though adoption varies dramatically by country. India, the US, and Germany lead adoption, while many regions still rely heavily on IPv4.
Most modern operating systems and devices support both protocols (called "dual-stack"). Your device likely has both an IPv4 and IPv6 address right now. The transition is happening — just slowly.
Use MyIP to instantly see your current public IP address. If it contains dots (like 203.0.113.42), you're connecting via IPv4. If it contains colons (like 2001:db8::1), you're on IPv6.
See if you're on IPv4 or IPv6 instantly.