Private - Public IP Addresses

Private IP addresses are usable only within the network they exist in. They are typically class C addresses, such as 192.168.x.x. These addresses are assigned to specific devices on a network, and the router routes traffic to it (if applicable).

Public IP addresses are assigned by an ISP (typically) and apply to an entire LAN. This is the address that other devices on the internet see and communicate with. Data is transferred to specific devices from the Internet using NAT and port forwarding.

Currently, most devices use the IPv4 standard but many are moving towards IPv6.