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What is Localhost?
Localhost is the name for your own computer when it talks to itself instead of going out on the internet.
- Category Building with AI
- Also called 127.0.0.1
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Localhost, explained simply
Localhost always points back to the computer you are using. Its numeric address is 127.0.0.1.
Developers use it to run a website or app privately on their own machine. Nobody else can open it.
For example, a guide may say to open a localhost address in your browser. That page is running on your laptop, not on a website out there.
On ITG Now, our free tool guides often say to open a localhost address after install, so you can see the tool running on your own computer.
Related terms
Self-hostingLocal AITerminalCLI
Where you'll see it on ITG Now
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Questions people ask about Localhost
Is localhost safe?
Yes for most uses, since only your own computer can reach it by default. Be careful if a tool is set up to let other devices connect.
Why does localhost not work for me?
Usually the app isn't running, or it is using a different port number. Check that the tool is started and that the address matches what it printed.
Can other people open my localhost link?
Normally no. The link only works on your own computer.