The internet is in a slow-motion migration from IPv4 to IPv6 that's been running for over 20 years. Both are still active. Here's what's actually different, why we need IPv6, and what (if anything) it changes for normal users.

The format difference

IPv4 looks like 203.0.113.42 — four numbers 0–255, separated by dots. 32 bits total.

IPv6 looks like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334 — eight groups of four hex digits, separated by colons. 128 bits total. Long zeros can be collapsed to ::.

Why IPv6 exists

IPv4 has 4.3 billion possible addresses. We hit "out of fresh allocations" in 2011. IPv6 has 340 undecillion — enough to give every grain of sand on Earth its own address several times over. Future-proof for the foreseeable internet of things.

Why we still use IPv4

Backwards compatibility. Older routers, ISPs, and corporate networks haven't migrated. NAT let IPv4 stretch by sharing one public IP across many devices, delaying the urgency. Today most home networks run dual-stack — both protocols active.

What changes for users

• Less NAT. Every device can have a real public IPv6 address — no port forwarding needed.
• Different privacy properties. IPv6 addresses can include a stable interface ID derived from your MAC. Modern OSes use privacy extensions that rotate this.
• Some services and games still don't support v6. Dual-stack handles this transparently — you don't have to think about it.

Check what you have

Our IP checker shows your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses side by side. If you only see IPv4, your ISP hasn't enabled IPv6 yet. Major US ISPs (Comcast, Verizon, T-Mobile) are at >70% IPv6 deployment as of 2026.

Try it now

Curious what your IP is showing the world right now? Check your IP address & location instantly with our free tool — no signup, nothing stored. Or trace any other IP to see its geolocation, ISP, and network details.