IP leak test
This IP leak test collects every IP address a website can learn about you and puts them side by side. With a working VPN, every address in the table belongs to your VPN provider. If any of them belongs to your home or mobile provider instead, your real IP is leaking.
What this IP leak test checks
- IPv4 address. The main address every website sees. With your VPN on, it should belong to a VPN or hosting network.
- IPv6 address. Many VPNs only tunnel IPv4. If your ISP also gives you IPv6, sites that support it can see that address instead.
- What our server sees. We compare the IP that reaches our server with the IPs the browser reports. A mismatch means some traffic takes a different route.
- WebRTC. Video-call features in the browser can reveal IP addresses outside the tunnel. Our WebRTC leak test explains this in detail.
- Proxy headers. Some proxies add your real IP to every request in a header called X-Forwarded-For. We show any extra address a proxy passes on.
How to read the table
Green rows belong to your VPN network or are safe local addresses. Red rows are leaks: a public IP that is not your VPN’s. The Network column shows who owns each address, so you can spot your ISP’s name.
If the whole test is amber, no VPN was detected. That is expected when your VPN is off, and it shows what your real IP looks like for comparison.
How to fix an IP leak
- IPv6 leak: turn on IPv6 leak protection in your VPN app, or switch off IPv6 on your device or router.
- WebRTC leak: use your VPN’s desktop app rather than only a browser extension, or follow our guide to preventing WebRTC leaks.
- Proxy header leak: your proxy is not anonymous. Use a VPN or an anonymous (elite) proxy instead.
- Leaks when the VPN drops: turn on the kill switch and test that it works.
IP leak vs DNS leak
An IP leak shows websites who you are: your real address and rough location. A DNS leak shows your internet provider where you go: the names of the sites you visit. A good VPN stops both. Read what a DNS leak is to learn more.
What causes an IP leak?
An IP leak happens when any part of your connection uses your real internet connection instead of the VPN. The most common causes are:
- VPNs that only tunnel IPv4, leaving your IPv6 address exposed.
- VPN browser extensions, which only proxy web pages and can let WebRTC and other apps use your real IP.
- Split tunneling that excludes your browser or other apps from the VPN.
- Connection drops without a kill switch, when your device falls back to your normal connection.
- Transparent proxies that add your real IP to the X-Forwarded-For header.
How to run an IP leak test properly
- Turn your VPN off and run the test. Note your real IP addresses and provider.
- Turn your VPN on, connect to a server and run the test again.
- Every address in the table should change, and none of the addresses from the first run should appear.
- Repeat on each browser and device you use.
FAQ
Is an IP leak test safe?
Yes. The test only reads what your browser already sends to every website. We do not store your results.
Why does my IPv6 address show my ISP?
Your VPN tunnels IPv4 but not IPv6. Turn on IPv6 leak protection in the app, or disable IPv6 on the device.
Can a VPN extension leak my IP?
Yes. A browser extension is a proxy for that browser only. Other apps, and sometimes WebRTC, can still use your real IP. A VPN app protects the whole device.
What other tests should I run?
Run the full VPN leak test and the VPN detector to see what else websites can tell.
How often should I run an IP leak test?
Run it after installing or updating your VPN, after changing settings, and whenever you connect to a new network such as hotel or airport Wi-Fi.