Dynamic IP addresses
A dynamic address is assigned from a provider or network pool and can change when a lease expires, equipment reconnects, or routing moves to another gateway.
Dynamic assignment is efficient for large residential and mobile networks because addresses can be reused as customers connect and disconnect.
Static IP addresses
A static address is intended to remain stable. Businesses and server operators may use one for inbound services, allowlists, site-to-site connections, or predictable DNS records.
Static service often costs more and still requires secure firewall rules. A stable address can also be easier to correlate over time, which is relevant to privacy.
Which one do you have?
Most consumer connections use dynamic addressing, but the change interval varies. Rechecking after a router reconnect does not prove the assignment type because a dynamic lease can return the same address.
The reliable answer comes from the provider or network administrator. Dynamic DNS can map a changing address to a hostname when remote access is required.
Choosing between them
Ordinary browsing, streaming, and gaming rarely require a static public address. Hosting services or strict network allowlists may benefit from one, provided the exposure and operational responsibility are understood.