Best Ways to Find default gateway IP Address on Windows, MAC, Linux

What is the Default Gateway?

A Default Gateway is used as an access point or IP router that allows a computer in a network communicates information with another computer in another network or the Internet.

Better still, you can liken default gateway to your main gate or door to your house. Assume you are inside your house, you will have to first pass through the main gate or your door, open it and then lead yourself at your destination. Also, assume that you are returning from school or work, you will have to pass through that same door or gate to enter your house. That gate or door is assumed to be your default gateway.

Without the default gateway, the network is separated from the outside. For instance, your computer might request for an online web page, your default gateway first process the request before it leaves the local network to reach the internet.

It is very important to know the IP address of the default gateway, that is, your router on your home or enterprise network if you want to effectively troubleshoot a network fault or manage the activities of the router.

On most home or enterprise networks, where there are only one router and different inter-connected devices, the private IP address given to your router is usually the default gateway IP address. This IP address is the one that your router uses to communicate with your local network and which all devices send traffic to by default.

This IP address is called "Default gateway" on Windows PC while it is called .router" on macOS and Linux operating systems. On other operating systems, it is called either "gateway" or "gateway route".

Functions of Default Gateway

· It serves as an access point to other networks.

· Connects the local network to the internet.

· It is used for management purposes .

· Gives access to external resources.

How fast can you know your Default Gateway IP Address?

Knowing your default gateway IP address is very essential. The question is, "how fast can you know it?" Well, you shouldn't spend much time on finding your default gateway IP address in Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. However, if you are using Windows OS, you should be able to locate it in lesser minutes using ipconfig procedure , which will be discussed later.

You just have to press few clicks to locate the default gateway IP address which is saved in Windows' network settings. You should note that you will be able to locate the default gateway of your computer on Windows 10, Mac OS X, and Linux as described below.

Best Ways to Find Default Gateway IP Address on Windows 10

To find your default gateway IP address on Windows 10, there are two ways of locating it. The first method is the through the "Graphic Interface" and you will prefer using the ipconfig method if you have experience using commands in Windows. You must be informed that the instructions that will be provided below will only help you find the default IP address on wired and wireless home and enterprise networks. However, you may have more than one gateway or more complex routing with wider networks which have more than one single router.

Let's get started with the first method.

Method 1 : Using the " Graphic Interface "

Step 1: You open the Control Panel , which is just among the desktop's icons. You can, either way, open the Control Panel through the Start Menu. (You make the process shorter by going straight to Network Connections link which is on Power User Menu , which you can access via the WIN=X keyboard shortcut. You jump to step 4 if you end up reaching that route.)

Step 2: After opening the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet. You may not be able to view this link if Control Panel icons view by Large icons or Small icons but you can view by only viewing by the Category option. If peradventure you are viewing with Large and Small icons, you can click Network and Sharing Center and jump to Step 4.

Step 3: You are now on the Network and Internet window. Then click Network and Sharing Center which is the first link you will see.

Step 4: Open the Network Connections screen. Click Change Adapter options just right in the middle of the window. If you reached this step-through Control Panel, click on the Change adapter settings from the left panel. If it says change or manages, no qualms, changes will not be made to the network settings on the Windows. What you are doing is just viewing the already setup default gateway and not making changes.

Step 5: Look for the network connection whose default gateway you want to view. You will notice that your wired network connection is indicated as either Ethernet or Local Area Connection and your wireless connection indicated as Wi-Fi or Wireless Network Connection.

Step 6: You can then double-click on the network connection link. Immediately, an Ethernet Status, Local Area Connection Status or Wi-Fi dialog box is opened varying on the name of the network connection you are opening. However, if you get something like Devices, Printers or Properties, it is telling you that the network connection you opted for does not have a status to show you. What you do next is go back to Step 5 and look for another connection different from the one you just picked.

Step 7: Click on Details option.

Step 8: Find IPv4 Default Gateway, IPv6 Default Gateway, or Default Gateway under the Property column, based on the kind of network you are using.

Step 9: Find the IP address indicated as the Value for that property. Great! You have now gotten the Default Gateway IP Address your Windows is using right now. It is very much advisable to document your default gateway IP address to avoid unnecessary repetition of these steps.

Step 10: On knowing your default gateway IP address, you can use it for the purposes you intend to use it for like accessing your router or troubleshooting a connection problem.

Method 2: Using the " IPCONFIG "

To quickly locate your default gateway IP address, the ipconfig command method will help you.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt.

You can open Command Prompt by first selecting the Start button , then, type ' cmd '. Then click Command Prompt from the list.

You can also open the Command Prompt by selecting the Start button. Then, find the Windows System folder from the apps listed and tap. You will then see the Command Prompt under the Windows System folder.

You can open the Command Prompt if you are using a keyboard or a mouse. Press WIN+X with your keyboard or right-click the Start button with your mouse, then you click Command Prompt from the menu that displays after this step.

Step 2: On the Command Prompt window, you type ipconfig and press the Enter key.

Step 3: You will locate your default gateway IP address next to Default Gateway.

Perhaps, you want to make the information provided less complex, you can type ipconfig | findstr "Default Gateway" . This automatically makes the information shortened and you can easily see through your default gateway IP address. This method can be only employed if you are using only one active connection.

Best Ways to Find Default Gateway IP Address on Mac OS X

To find your default gateway IP address on your Mac OS X computer, there are two methods you can use. There are pretty easy methods and very straightforward.

Method 1: Using the " System Preferences "

Step 1: Tap on the Apple icon located at the top left of your screen and then select System Preferences .

Step 2: Right in the System Preferences window, click the Network icon.

Step 3: Then, select your network connection (for instance, a Wi-Fi, wired or wireless connection) and then you proceed to click Advanced button which is located at the bottom of the screen.

Step 4: Click the TCP/IP tab and you will find the default gateway IP address listed next to Router .

Method 2: Using the " Netsat Command via Terminal "

Step 1: Tap the Spotlight icon (locate it at the top right of the screen).

Step 2: Then, type Terminal and press the Enter key when it displays.

Step 3: After you have opened the Terminal app, type the following command: netstat -nr | grep default

Step 4: Locate your gateway IP address listed next to Default.

Best Ways to Find Default Gateway IP Address on Linux

You can find the default gateway of your Linux Systemby following the following steps.

Step 1: Open a Terminal. You can locate your terminal in the menu items at the top or the bottom of your screen.

Step 2: After you have opened the terminal, type the following command and press the Enter key after typing. ip route | grep default

Step 3: Find your gateway IP address listed via the Default Route.

Conclusion of Best Methods to Find default gateway IP Address on Windows, MAC, Linux

You can find the default gateway IP address of your Windows 10, Mac OS X, and Linux computers by carefully following the steps listed and analyzed above. They are the best ways through which you can find your default gateway IP address. You are advised to document your default gateway IP address after finding it through these guides so that you don't have to repeat it another time.

Try these steps out on your Windows 10, Mac OS X and Linux computers. Good luck!