IP Address Guides
These guides explain IP addresses in plain language and show how to use IP Lens. Start with the fundamentals, then learn about network concepts, understand a result, or investigate an event.
Fundamentals
Begin with the purpose of an IP address, then learn how IPv4 and IPv6 differ.
Network concepts
Learn how addresses are grouped, which addresses stay inside private networks, how public addresses are shared, and who assigns address blocks.
Understand a result
Learn what each page and field means, including what an IP address can and cannot tell you.
Investigate traffic or verify a bot
Check which address reached your service, keep useful records, and decide what to do next.
Looking for an exact special-purpose range?
Use the special-purpose IP block reference to check ranges used for private networks, local communication, examples, and other special jobs.
Try IP Lens examples
Open these pages to see the three main result types:
- IP address: 8.8.8.8 — see what IP Lens shows for one public address.
- Network: AS8075 — see a network and the IP ranges associated with it.
- IP range: 1.1.1.0/24 — see the first address, last address, and size of a range.