How to Find IP Address in Linux Command Line [5 Easy Methods]

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Last updated: June 25, 2023

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To learn to find IP address in Linux, try these five methods:

  1. Use the command ifconfig in the Terminal to find the IP address assigned to a specific network interface.
  2. Retrieve IP addresses using the ip addr show command in the Terminal, locating the desired network interface in the output.
  3. Obtain the IP address of your system by executing the command hostname -I in the Terminal.
  4. Retrieve IP addresses using the nmcli device show command in the Terminal, locating the desired network interface in the output.
  5. Find IP addresses with the ss -ltn command in the Terminal, looking for the desired listening socket in the output.

Troubleshooting common issues when finding IP addresses in Linux involves validating network configurations, resolving connectivity or permission problems, and addressing common errors such as “No IP address found,” “Interface not found,” “Permission denied,” “Invalid command or option,” and “Network unreachable.”

Explore the article below to learn different methods to find IP address in Linux and common errors with possible solutions.

IP addresses play a vital role in Linux networking, allowing devices to communicate with each other on a network. Knowing how to find IP address in the command line is essential for system administrators and network enthusiasts. In this comprehensive guide, I will explore different methods to retrieve IP addresses using various command-line tools in Linux. I will also discuss some of the common errors with possible solutions.

How to Find IP Address in Linux

To find IP address in Linux, you can use the following commands: ifconfig to find IP addresses assigned to network interfaces, ip to retrieve advanced network information, hostname -I to get the system’s IP address, nmcli for network connection management, and ss to obtain socket-related details.

1. ifconfig Command

The ifconfig command is a widely used networking tool in Linux that provides detailed information about network interfaces. It lets you find the IP address assigned to a specific network interface. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Open the Terminal.
opening terminal 7
  1. Enter the following command: 
<strong>ifconfig</strong>
  1. Locate the network interface you are interested in (e.g., eth0, wlan0). Look for the inet or inet addr section under the respective interface.
getting IP address using ifconfig in linux

2. ip Command

The ip command is a powerful and versatile networking tool in Linux. It provides advanced capabilities for managing network interfaces and retrieving IP addresses. Follow these steps to find ip address in Linux using ip command:

  1. Launch the Terminal window and type the following command: 
<strong>ip addr show</strong>
  1. Look for the inet or inet6 section under the respective interface.
displaying IP address using IP command

3. hostname Command

The hostname command provides information about the system’s hostname and related network configurations, including the IP address. It uses hostname resolution mechanisms like DNS or /etc/hosts file to map the hostname to its IP address. Follow these steps:

  1. Access the command line and execute the following command: 
<strong>hostname -I</strong>
  1. The IP address displayed represents the assigned IP address of your system.
showing ip address using hostname command

4. nmcli Command

The nmcli command provides a command-line interface for NetworkManager, a popular network management tool in Linux. It offers powerful capabilities for managing network connections, including retrieving IP addresses. Here are the steps to do it:

  1. Launch the command window and enter the following command: 
<strong>nmcli device show</strong>
  1. Look for the IP4.ADDRESS or IP6.ADDRESS section under the respective interface.
showing ip using nmcli command

5. ss Command

The ss command is a versatile tool for socket-related information in Linux. It allows you to retrieve IP addresses, among other network details. The ss command provides various options and filters to narrow down the output and obtain specific information about network connections and sockets. Here are the steps to do it:

Instructions for finding IP addresses using the ss command

  1. Access the Terminal and Type the following command: 
<strong>ss -ltn</strong>
  1. Look for the desired listening socket in the output.
  2. The IP address displayed in the Local Address column represents the IP address associated with that socket.
displaying IP address of socket

Troubleshooting Common Issues in Finding IP Address

Common issues are not uncommon when finding IP addresses in Linux. Remember to double-check your inputs, validate network configurations, and troubleshoot any connectivity or permission issues to overcome these common errors and successfully find IP addresses in Linux. Here are five common problems that you might encounter:

  • 🔍 “No IP address found” error: This error occurs when attempting to retrieve an IP address in Linux, but no IP address is assigned to the specified network interface. It can happen if the interface is not properly configured, disconnected, or has a network connectivity issue. To resolve this error, ensure the network interface is active, properly connected, and configured with a valid IP address.
  • ⚠️ “Interface not found” error: The “Interface not found” error appears when trying to find the IP address of a network interface that does not exist on the system. This error can occur if the interface name is misspelled, the driver is not installed, or the operating system does not recognize the interface. To resolve this error, verify the correct interface name, ensure the driver is installed, and check if the Linux kernel supports the interface.
  • 🔒 “Permission denied” error: The “Permission denied” error occurs when the user executing the IP address retrieval command does not have sufficient privileges. This error commonly happens when running the command as a regular user instead of using elevated privileges such as sudo or root access. To resolve this error, execute the command with the appropriate permissions, ensuring the user has the necessary rights to retrieve network information.
  • “Invalid command or option” error: The “Invalid command or option” error appears when using incorrect syntax or unrecognized options while trying to find an IP address in Linux. It can happen if the command is mistyped or if the command does not support the option provided. To resolve this error, review the command syntax and ensure the correct options are used according to the documentation or help resources.
  • 🌐 “Network unreachable” error: The “Network unreachable” error occurs when attempting to retrieve an IP address from a network that is not accessible or reachable. This error can happen if there is no network connection, the network configuration is incorrect, or there are routing issues. To resolve this error, check the network connectivity, ensure the network configuration is accurate, and troubleshoot any routing problems that may be preventing access to the network.

To Sum Up

This article explored various methods to find IP addresses in the Linux command line, including ifconfig, ip, hostname, nmcli, and ss. I have also discussed common errors that may arise during session termination in tmux, highlighting the importance of careful input validation and troubleshooting techniques. Mastering the art of finding IP addresses and handling potential errors will empower Linux you to navigate your network environments with confidence.

However, this guide only scratches the surface of Linux networking capabilities. To further expand your knowledge, consider exploring articles on topics like network troubleshooting, securing network connections, or optimizing network performance. You can enhance your understanding and become a proficient user by continually learning and exploring the vast resources the Linux community offers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retrieve the IP address of a remote machine using the Linux command line?

Yes, you can retrieve the IP address of a remote machine using the Linux command line. One way to accomplish this is by using the ping command followed by the remote machine’s hostname or IP address. For example, running ping example.com will display the IP address of the remote machine in the output. Additionally, you can use tools like nslookup or dig to query the DNS records and obtain the IP address of a remote machine. These commands provide detailed information, including the IP address associated with a specific hostname or domain.

How can I automate retrieving IP addresses using shell scripts in Linux?

Automating the process of retrieving IP addresses using shell scripts in Linux can be achieved by combining command-line tools and scripting capabilities. One approach is to use the ifconfig or ip command within a script to extract the IP address of a specific network interface. You can redirect the command output to a variable or a file for further processing or logging. You can create a robust automation solution to retrieve IP addresses from multiple machines or interfaces by incorporating loops, conditionals, and parsing techniques in your shell script.

Can I find the IP address of a website or domain name using the Linux command line?

Yes, you can find the IP address of a website or domain name using the Linux command line. The nslookup and dig commands are commonly used for this purpose. For instance, running nslookup example.com will display the IP address associated with the provided domain name. Similarly, using dig example.com will provide detailed information about the DNS records of the domain, including the IP address. These commands can be useful for troubleshooting DNS-related issues, verifying DNS configurations, or simply obtaining the IP address of a specific website or domain.

Ojash

Author

Ojash is a skilled Linux expert and tech writer with over a decade of experience. He has extensive knowledge of Linux's file system, command-line interface, and software installations. Ojash is also an expert in shell scripting and automation, with experience in Bash, Python, and Perl. He has published numerous articles on Linux in various online publications, making him a valuable resource for both seasoned Linux users and beginners. Ojash is also an active member of the Linux community and participates in Linux forums.

Akshat

Reviewer

Akshat is a software engineer, product designer and the co-founder of Scrutify. He's an experienced Linux professional and the senior editor of this blog. He is also an open-source contributor to many projects on Github and has written several technical guides on Linux. Apart from that, he’s also actively sharing his ideas and tutorials on Medium and Attirer. As the editor of this blog, Akshat brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on a wide range of Linux-related topics.

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