IP geolocation does not use GPS. It matches the queried address against public databases that map address blocks to regions.
Where the data comes from
Regional internet registries publish which provider received each IP block. Commercial databases combine that with routing information, latency and declared data to estimate city and coordinates.
Why accuracy varies
On mobile connections the IP may belong to a gateway far from your real position. On CGNAT networks the same IP serves many subscribers. That is why typical accuracy is city level — sometimes only region level.
What you can state confidently
- Country and region are usually reliable.
- City is a reasonable estimate.
- Exact address: no. No IP identifies a house or a person.
How to look it up
Use IP Location to see country, region, city, time zone and provider of any public IP. Queries against private addresses are refused on purpose, to stop the tool being used against internal networks.