Networking4 min read
IPv4 vs IPv6: What's the Difference & Which Are You Using?
IPv4 has 4.3 billion addresses. IPv6 has 340 undecillion. Here's what the upgrade actually means for you.
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) was designed in 1981 with 4.3 billion possible addresses. That sounded like a lot — until smartphones, smart TVs, and IoT devices arrived.
Why IPv6 was created
IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, giving us 340 undecillion (3.4 × 10³⁸) addresses — enough for every grain of sand on Earth to have its own. It also brings built-in encryption, faster routing, and no need for NAT.
How they look
- IPv4 example: 192.168.1.42
- IPv6 example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
Which one are you using?
Most modern connections use both at once (dual-stack). Our IP lookup tool shows you both your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses side by side.