216.73.217.150

The IP above is assigned to your connection by your ISP. Whether it stays the same every day or changes periodically depends on whether you have a static or dynamic IP address.

Dynamic IP address

A dynamic IP is temporary. Your ISP uses DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to assign an IP from a pool when your router connects. It can change:

• When your router restarts or loses power.
• After your ISP's lease period expires (often 24 hours to a few days).
• When your ISP reorganises its address pool.

Most home broadband connections are dynamic. This is more efficient for ISPs — they don't need to reserve a dedicated IP for every customer permanently.

Static IP address

A static IP never changes. It is permanently assigned to your connection and stays the same regardless of reboots or ISP maintenance.

You need a static IP if you:

• Host a website, game server, or any public-facing server from home.
• Need remote access to your home network at a consistent address.
• Run a VPN server at home that others connect to.
• Work with business services that whitelist IPs (APIs, corporate firewalls).

Static IPs are usually an add-on from your ISP at extra cost, or included with business broadband plans.

Side-by-side comparison

• Changes over time: Dynamic — yes. Static — no.
• Cost: Dynamic — standard (included). Static — usually extra.
• Privacy: Dynamic — slightly better (harder to track long-term). Static — easier to correlate with a specific address.
• Hosting servers: Dynamic — unreliable (IP can change). Static — required.
• Typical user: Dynamic — home users. Static — businesses, power users.

How to tell if your IP is static or dynamic

1. Note your current IP above.
2. Restart your router and wait for it to reconnect.
3. Reload this page and check the IP again.
4. If it changed, you have a dynamic IP. If it's the same, you likely have a static IP (or your ISP's DHCP lease just happened to reassign the same address — restart a second time to be sure).

You can also log in to your ISP account or call their support line — static IPs appear as a separate line item on your subscription.

Dynamic DNS — a middle ground

If you have a dynamic IP but need to host a server, Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is the solution. A DDNS client on your router detects when your IP changes and automatically updates a DNS record. Services like DuckDNS, No-IP, and Cloudflare offer free DDNS, meaning your domain always points to your current IP — even as it changes.

Related: what is a public IP address · how to change your IP · check your ISP