What is an IP lookup?

The IP Lookup tool on UnwanIP lets you enter an IPv4 or IPv6 address and view available technical and approximate geolocation information associated with it. The tool can help identify the network provider, ASN, country, region, city, timezone and other data linked to an IP address.

Results are based on specialized IP and network databases, so geographic information should be treated as approximate rather than an exact physical location.

What information can an IP lookup provide?

Depending on the IP address and available data, the lookup may display information such as:

• The IP address being checked.
• IP version, such as IPv4 or IPv6.
• Country associated with the IP.
• Region or state.
• Approximate city.
• Timezone.
• Postal code when available.
• Approximate latitude and longitude.
• ASN.
• Network provider or organization.

What is an ASN?

ASN stands for Autonomous System Number. It is a number used to identify an autonomous system on the Internet. An autonomous system is usually a network or group of networks managed by an Internet service provider, telecom operator or large organization.

An ASN helps identify the organization responsible for announcing and routing specific IP address ranges on the Internet.

Can an IP address identify the Internet provider?

In many cases, an IP address can be associated with the Internet provider or organization operating the network. This may be an ISP, hosting company, data center, business network or VPN provider.

The displayed organization can change if an IP range is reassigned or if databases have not yet been updated.

Can an IP address reveal a location?

An IP address can often be used to estimate a geographic location such as a country, region or city. However, this information does not represent an exact GPS position or a precise home address.

The displayed city may differ from the user’s real location because of IP allocation, ISP routing, VPNs, proxies or mobile networks.

Why can IP information be inaccurate?

Some lookup results may be incomplete or not fully accurate for several reasons, including:

• IP ranges being reassigned by Internet providers.
• Delays in geolocation database updates.
• Use of a VPN or proxy.
• Mobile network routing.
• Data centers and hosting services.
• Traffic being routed through a different region.

What is the difference between IP Lookup and My IP?

The My IP tool automatically displays the public IP address of your current Internet connection, while IP Lookup lets you enter any valid IPv4 or IPv6 address and search for available information about it.

IP Lookup can therefore be used to check an address different from your own current IP.

Does IP Lookup support IPv6?

Yes. The tool supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. IPv6 uses a longer address format than IPv4, but both types can be analyzed and associated network information can be displayed when available.

Frequently asked questions about IP lookup

Can I look up any IP address?

You can enter any valid IPv4 or IPv6 address, although the amount of available information can vary from one address to another.

Can an IP lookup reveal the name of the person using an IP?

No. IP databases generally provide network, provider and approximate location information, but they do not normally identify the individual person using the address.

Does an IP lookup show a home address?

No. IP geolocation is approximate and does not normally reveal a precise home address or exact GPS location.

Why does the lookup show a different network provider?

The IP may belong to a VPN service, data center or hosting provider, or the database may not yet reflect a recent reassignment of the IP range.

What does approximate location on the map mean?

It represents estimated coordinates associated with the IP address in the database. It does not mean the device is physically located at that exact point.

Can IP information change over time?

Yes. IP ranges can be reassigned, network providers can change and geolocation data can be updated, so information associated with an IP address may change over time.