What differentiates a public IP address from a private IP address?

A public IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a device that connects directly to the internet, making it accessible from anywhere across the globe. This is essential for communication and data exchange over the internet, allowing devices to reach one another. In contrast, a private IP address is used within a private network, such as a home or office local area network (LAN), which is not directly reachable from the internet. This distinction is critical because it allows private networks to use a range of IP addresses without consuming unique addresses on the public internet, which helps to conserve the limited supply of IPv4 addresses.

Public IP addresses serve as the device's address on the public internet, while private IP addresses facilitate network communication within a secured environment, typically protected by Network Address Translation (NAT) or similar technologies. Thus, the capacity for internet access fundamentally sets public IP addresses apart from private ones, aligning with the nature of their intended use.