Why does my IP address show the wrong city?
An IP lookup estimates a network location. It does not measure your device position, and a different city does not automatically mean your browser is malfunctioning.
What does the city represent?
IP geolocation accuracy varies with the network and address type. MaxMind states that its geolocation data cannot identify a specific household or street address.
What changes when you use a VPN?
A lookup may locate the VPN server rather than the person using it. Compare the public IP before and after changing the VPN connection.
How should you investigate a mismatch?
- Refresh the public IP check and record the address.
- Run the local GeoIP lookup and note its database date and any accuracy radius.
- Compare results after deliberately changing your network or VPN.
For the difference between device and website-visible addresses, read public and private IP addresses.