IPV6 is the newest version of IP, short for Internet Protocol, designed to handle the growing number of devices connected to the internet. It works the same basic way as older IP addresses, but with a much larger address space.
What Does an IPV6 Address Look Like?
An IPV6 address is longer than IPV4 and uses both numbers and letters.
Full IPV6 format
2600:abcd:1234:0000:0000:0000:0000:0001Shortened IPV6 format
2600:abcd:1234::1IPV6 addresses are often shortened to make them easier to read.
Why Was IPV6 Created?
The older system, IPV4, only supports about 4.3 billion unique addresses. That sounded huge at the time, but it is not enough for the number of smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, and servers connected today.
IPV6 was created to solve that problem and allow the internet to keep growing.
How Many IPV6 Addresses Are There?
IPV6 supports an enormous number of addresses: about 340 undecillion, which is 340 followed by 36 zeros.
- Every device on Earth can have its own unique address
- And there are still far more addresses available than we will realistically use
IPV4 vs IPV6
IPV4
- Format:
123.45.67.89 - Short and familiar
- Limited number of addresses
IPV6
- Format:
2600:abcd:1234::1 - Much longer
- Nearly unlimited addresses
Is IPV6 Faster?
Sometimes, but not always.
IPV6 can be slightly more efficient because it removes some older routing workarounds and can allow more direct connections. In real-world use, speed still depends more on your internet provider, network quality, and server performance.
Do You Already Have IPV6?
Many modern networks support both IPV4 and IPV6. Your device may use IPV6 when available and fall back to IPV4 when needed. Some mobile networks already prefer IPV6 by default.
Can Websites See Your IPV6 Address?
Yes. Just like IPV4, your IPV6 address is visible to websites you visit. It can still reveal general location and ISP information, but not your exact identity or personal data by itself.
Why IPV6 Matters
IPV6 ensures the internet can continue to grow. Without it, we would run out of addresses and new devices would struggle to connect at scale.
- Every device can have a unique identity
- The internet can continue scaling for the long term
Do You Need to Do Anything?
No. IPV6 usually works automatically if your network supports it. For most people, there is nothing to install or configure.
How This Relates to Your IP
If your network supports IPV6, your IP address shown above may appear in IPV6 format instead of IPV4. Both do the same job. They just use different structures.
Check your IP address on the homepage any time to see what your current connection is exposing.