Checking your connection...
How Does VPN Detection Work?
Our VPN checker analyzes your IP address against a comprehensive database of known datacenter and VPN server IP ranges. When you connect to a VPN, your traffic is routed through a server in a datacenter — and these datacenter IP ranges are publicly registered and cataloged. We cross-reference your current IP address with over 50,000 known datacenter CIDR ranges from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, and hundreds of VPN service providers.
If your IP address falls within a known datacenter range, it means your traffic is being routed through a server rather than directly from your ISP — which is a strong indicator that a VPN or proxy is active. We also display your geolocation data including country and city, so you can verify that your apparent location has changed from your real one.
Using a VPN Doesn't Always Mean You're Safe
Even when your VPN shows as active, there are situations where your real identity can still be exposed. A VPN changes your IP address and encrypts your traffic, but that alone doesn't guarantee complete privacy. Here's what you should verify:
IP Address Changed
The most basic check: your IP address should be different from your real one, and it should show a location in the country you selected in your VPN app. If you see your home city and ISP, your VPN is not working correctly.
Location Changed
Your apparent location should match the VPN server you're connected to. If you connected to a US server but this page shows your real country, there may be a configuration issue or your VPN connection dropped.
DNS Leak Risk
A DNS leak occurs when your DNS requests bypass the VPN tunnel and go directly to your ISP's DNS servers. This means your ISP can see which websites you visit, even though your traffic is encrypted. Always check for DNS leaks after connecting to a VPN.
WebRTC Leak Risk
WebRTC is a browser technology used for video calls and peer-to-peer connections. It can expose your real IP address even when you're using a VPN. Some browsers leak your local and public IP through WebRTC by default.
More Privacy & Security Tools
Checking your IP address is just the first step. For complete VPN verification, we recommend running these additional tests:
What is an IP Address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet. Think of it as your device's mailing address on the internet — it tells websites and services where to send the data you request. Your IP address reveals your approximate geographic location, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and can be used to track your online activity across different websites.
There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 (like 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334). Most websites and services still primarily use IPv4. Your ISP assigns you a public IP address that is visible to every website you visit, which is the address shown by our checker above.
Why Use a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. All your internet traffic passes through this tunnel, which provides three key benefits:
Privacy Protection
Your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the VPN server's address. Websites see the VPN's IP instead of yours, making it much harder to track your online activity.
Encrypted Connection
All data between your device and the VPN server is encrypted. This is critical on public Wi-Fi networks where hackers can intercept unencrypted traffic to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data.
Bypass Restrictions
Access websites and streaming services that are blocked or restricted in your country. Connect to a VPN server in another location to appear as if you're browsing from there.
How to Verify Your VPN is Working
- Note your real IP address shown above before connecting to VPN.
- Connect to your VPN and select a server in a different country.
- Click 'Check Again' on this page to refresh your IP information.
- Verify that your IP address has changed and the location matches your selected VPN server.
- Run a DNS leak test to make sure your DNS requests are also going through the VPN.