IP WHOIS Lookup
Find detailed information about any IP address including location, ISP, and ownership details.
IP Lookup Form
What is IP WHOIS Lookup?
An IP WHOIS lookup is a query that returns information about an IP address, including who owns it, where it's registered, and its associated network details. This information is maintained by Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) that allocate and assign IP addresses.
- IP Owner: The organization or individual that owns the IP address
- Geographic Location: Country, region, and city associated with the IP
- Network Information: ASN (Autonomous System Number) and ISP details
- Contact Information: Technical and administrative contacts for the IP block
- Security Investigation: Identifying the source of suspicious traffic
- Network Troubleshooting: Diagnosing connectivity issues
- Email Verification: Checking the legitimacy of email senders
- Geolocation: Determining the physical location of a server
Regional Internet Registries (RIRs)
IP addresses are allocated by five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), each responsible for a specific geographic region. These organizations maintain the WHOIS databases that contain information about IP address allocations.
American Registry for Internet Numbers
Manages IP addresses for the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean.
Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre
Manages IP addresses for Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.
Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre
Manages IP addresses for the Asia-Pacific region.
Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre
Manages IP addresses for Latin America and the Caribbean.
African Network Information Centre
Manages IP addresses for Africa.
Common Use Cases for IP WHOIS Lookups
Security professionals use IP WHOIS lookups to investigate suspicious activities and potential threats:
- Identifying the source of suspicious login attempts
- Tracing the origin of malicious traffic or attacks
- Verifying if an IP is from a legitimate business or suspicious entity
Email administrators use IP WHOIS data to verify the legitimacy of email senders:
- Checking if emails come from legitimate server locations
- Identifying potential phishing attempts
- Configuring spam filters based on IP reputation
Network administrators use IP WHOIS information to diagnose connectivity issues:
- Identifying network routing problems
- Verifying peering relationships between networks
- Diagnosing connection issues with remote servers
Websites and applications use IP geolocation data to customize content:
- Displaying content in the user's local language
- Showing region-specific pricing and offers
- Complying with regional regulations and restrictions
Privacy Considerations with IP Addresses
While IP addresses provide valuable information, it's important to consider privacy implications and legal regulations surrounding IP data:
Personal Data Classification
In many jurisdictions, IP addresses are considered personal data and are subject to privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe.
Consent Requirements
Collecting and processing IP address information may require user consent depending on your location and the applicable laws.
Legitimate Use
Ensure you have a legitimate reason for looking up IP information, such as security, troubleshooting, or other valid business purposes.
Related IP Tools
Explore our other free IP-related tools to help you with network diagnostics and security:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IP WHOIS and Domain WHOIS?
IP WHOIS provides information about IP address ownership and allocation, maintained by Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). Domain WHOIS, on the other hand, provides information about domain name registrations, including the registrant's contact details, registration and expiration dates, and nameservers. They are separate databases maintained by different organizations.
How accurate is IP geolocation data?
IP geolocation accuracy varies depending on the database and the specific IP address. Generally, it's accurate to the country level, often to the region/state level, and sometimes to the city level. However, it's rarely accurate enough to pinpoint an exact physical address. For IPs associated with mobile networks or VPNs, the location may be significantly off, showing the location of the provider rather than the actual user.
Can I find the exact physical address from an IP address?
No, standard IP WHOIS lookups cannot provide an exact physical address of an individual user. They typically show the location of the Internet Service Provider or the general geographic area. Obtaining a specific physical address would require legal processes and the cooperation of the ISP, which typically only happens in law enforcement investigations with proper legal authorization.
Why might an IP address show an incorrect location?
There are several reasons why an IP address might show an incorrect location: the user might be using a VPN or proxy service; the IP database might be outdated; the ISP might be routing traffic through a different location; or the IP might be part of a large block assigned to a company with offices in multiple locations. Mobile IP addresses often show the location of a central data center rather than the user's actual location.
Is it legal to look up someone's IP address information?
Generally, it's legal to look up publicly available WHOIS information for legitimate purposes such as network troubleshooting, security research, or verifying business information. However, using this information for harassment, stalking, or other malicious purposes may be illegal. Additionally, how you collect the IP address in the first place and what you do with the information may be subject to privacy laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.