An IP address is a unique numeric label assigned to every device connected to the internet, including the server that hosts your website. It’s what actually allows computers to find and communicate with each other.
A typical IP address looks something like 192.168.1.1. Domain names exist largely to spare people from having to remember and type these numbers manually.
IPv4 vs IPv6
The older format, IPv4, is running out of available combinations as more devices connect to the internet. IPv6 is the newer standard, using a longer format that allows for a vastly larger number of unique addresses.
Where This Matters for Your Website
When you point a domain name to your hosting account, you’re essentially telling the internet which IP address that name should lead to. This connection is managed through DNS records, which act like a directory linking domain names to their corresponding IP addresses.
IP addresses also come up in security contexts — many firewalls and login protection tools work by blocking suspicious IP addresses after repeated failed login attempts.