Your public IP is the address your internet connection uses. Every website you visit can see it and estimate your location.
IPv4 like 203.0.113.42 is the old standard. IPv6 like 2001:db8::1 is newer with billions more addresses.
Yes. A VPN hides your real IP behind the VPN server's IP, protecting your privacy and bypassing geo-blocks.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) is your internet company. They provide your connection and can see your traffic.
Use: curl https://gimmeip.it or wget -qO- https://gimmeip.it. On Windows PowerShell use curl.exe https://gimmeip.it (or irm https://gimmeip.it?format=txt).
Your IP address is visible to websites, but it only reveals approximate location. Your exact home address stays private.