# Finding the IP address for your hosting account in cPanel

> Find your Ruachost hosting account's IP address in cPanel, for pointing DNS records, previewing your site or setting up external services.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/getting-started/finding-the-ip-address-for-your-hosting-account-on-cpanel/

Your hosting account's IP address is shown on the cPanel home screen, in the **General Information** panel.

## Find your IP address

1. Log in to cPanel. See [How can I access my cPanel?](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/getting-started/how-can-i-access-my-cpanel/)
2. On the right of the home screen, find the **General Information** panel.
3. Look for **Shared IP Address**, or **Dedicated IP Address** if your account has its own IP.

On a small screen, the panel may appear below the main tools rather than on the right.

## When you need it

- **Pointing a domain using DNS records.** If your domain's DNS is managed somewhere else, set its **A record** to this IP address. See [CNAME vs A record](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/dns/cname-vs-a-record/).
- **Previewing your website** before your domain points to Ruachost. See [Previewing your website](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/getting-started/website-troubleshooting/previewing-your-website/).
- **Setting up external services**, such as email services or tools that ask for your server's IP address.

> **Note:**
On shared hosting, many websites use the same IP address. Visiting the IP address directly in a browser won't show your website. Use your domain name instead.

This is your **server's** IP address. If you need your own computer's IP address, for example to unblock it, see [How can I know my system's IP address?](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/getting-started/guides/how-can-i-know-my-systems-ip-address/)

## Related articles

- [Pointing your domain from another registrar](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/dns/pointing-your-domain-from-another-registrar/)
- [Using the cPanel home screen](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/getting-started/using-the-cpanel-home-screen/)