Is my router's IP address really public?
Solution 1:
A router has multiple IPs. Its public IP is, of course, public. That is the address that you give to any website you connect to so the server knows where to send a reply. A router also has a gateway IP, which is typically the address on your LAN which other devices behind the router see. This IP is private in that it does not exist on the public internet, but it is not secret (most people use the same range).
My question is, is the router's IP really public?
It is public, but you don't have to worry about it. Knowledge of an IP address is typically not a problem unless you need anonymity. You don't have to worry about being hacked or tracked down based on IP. I explained in another answer why there's no need to worry about having a public IP address. If the address wasn't public, then you wouldn't be able to hear a response from any site you connect to!
Or is there another level of NAT in my ISP's network?
Some ISPs have another level of NAT called Carrier-Grade NAT, or CGN. If your public address as seen by the router (not by websites that check your IP) is in the range of 100.64.0.0/10 (see RFC 6598), then you are most definitely using CGN. If you have any doubts, call your ISP and ask them.
Solution 2:
- Connect to your router's admin interface, and check the "public" or "WAN" IP address.
- Then connect to a site like https://whatismyipaddress.com/ to check what IP address is visible from the Internet.
If both match, your router's IP is indeed public, and there is no other level of NAT.
If the two addresses don't match, then there is another level of NAT done by your ISP, something called "Carrier-Grade NAT" (CGNAT).
Whether CGNAT is used depends a lot on ISPs. Mobile/wireless ISPs use it a lot. Fixed-line (DSL, Cable, etc.) ISPs use it less, but this can vary a lot from country to country and ISP to ISP.
Solution 3:
Yes, your IP is public. Most ISPs that I've seen, the IP address rotates rarely. In other words, your IP is public, every website you visit can see it, and it almost never changes.
You can check your IP address by googling "What is my IP" or https://whatismyipaddress.com/. You can see, there, what every other website sees.
Your phone number is also public. Most people you call can see your number. Anyone can call your number.
Solution 4:
Command traceroute (tracert on Windows) may help.
Run traceroute www.google.com, if you get
1 192.168.x.1 (your router's LAN IP)
2 100.x.x.x (ISP's NAT)
3 x.x.x.x (some public IP)
4 x.x.x.x (some public IP)
......
If ISP has another level of NAT, it ususally gives you an IP 100.x.x.x (100.64.0.0/10)