Your Mac address is a unique identifier built into your network hardware

A MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a 48-bit number assigned to every device that connects to a network — your laptop, phone, printer, smart TV. It looks like this: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Unlike your IP address, which changes when you move networks or restart your router, your MAC address stays the same because it's hardcoded into your device's network card.

You'll need your MAC address when you're setting up a new device on your home network, troubleshooting connection problems with your router, or configuring your network to allow only certain devices to connect. Some workplaces and schools also use MAC filtering to control which devices can join their networks.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MAC address is a unique identifier for your device's network hardware, separate from your IP address.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to find the "Physical Address" listed for your network adapter.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, and click Details to find the MAC address.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type ip link show or ifconfig to see your MAC address next to "link/ether" or "HWaddr".
  • If you have multiple network adapters (WiFi and Ethernet), each one has its own MAC address.

Finding your MAC address on Windows

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. A list of all your network adapters will appear.

Look for the adapter you're using — usually "Ethernet" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on WiFi. Next to "Physical Address" you'll see your MAC address in the format XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX (with hyphens instead of colons, but it's the same thing).

If you have both WiFi and Ethernet connected, you'll see two different MAC addresses — one for each adapter. Write down the one for the connection type you actually use.

Finding your MAC address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Network in the sidebar. Select the connection you use (WiFi or Ethernet) from the list on the left.

Click the Details button. A new window opens. Click the Hardware tab at the top. Your MAC address appears next to "MAC Address" in the format XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX.

If you use both WiFi and Ethernet at different times, repeat these steps for each connection type — they have separate MAC addresses.

Finding your MAC address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip link show and press Enter. Your MAC address appears next to "link/ether" for each network adapter. It looks like XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX.

If that command doesn't work on your system, try ifconfig instead. Your MAC address will be listed next to "HWaddr" (hardware address). Again, look for the adapter you actually use — usually "eth0" for Ethernet or "wlan0" for WiFi.

What to do once you have your MAC address

If you're setting up a new device on your home network, your router may ask for the MAC address so it can assign a consistent IP address to that device. Log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser) and look for DHCP settings or a device list where you can enter the MAC address.

If you're troubleshooting a connection problem, your internet provider or IT support may ask for your MAC address to look up your account or device in their system. Having it written down saves time on the phone.

Some networks use MAC filtering as a security measure — they maintain a list of approved MAC addresses and block everything else. If you're adding a device to such a network, you'll need to provide the MAC address to whoever manages the network so they can add it to the allowlist.

Why you have multiple MAC addresses

If you see more than one MAC address on your device, that's normal. Each network adapter has its own MAC address. A laptop with both WiFi and Ethernet will have two. A phone with WiFi, cellular, and Bluetooth will have three. You only need the MAC address for the connection type you're actually using.

Virtual machines and some software also create virtual network adapters, which show up as additional MAC addresses. You can ignore these unless you're specifically working with that software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my MAC address to hack me?

Not directly. A MAC address only works on your local network — it doesn't travel across the internet. Someone would need to be on the same WiFi network as you to even see your MAC address. The real risk is if someone spoofs your MAC address on your own network to impersonate your device, which is why some networks use MAC filtering as one layer of security.

Does my MAC address change?

Not normally. It's burned into your network hardware when it's manufactured. However, some devices let you change your MAC address in software settings — this is called MAC spoofing. Most people never need to do this. Your MAC address stays the same even if you change networks, restart your device, or get a new IP address.

What's the difference between MAC address and IP address?

Your MAC address identifies your device on your local network (your home WiFi or office network). Your IP address identifies your device on the internet. MAC addresses don't leave your local network, while IP addresses route traffic across the internet. You need both for your device to work.

Why does my device show a different MAC address sometimes?

Some newer phones and laptops use "MAC randomization" for privacy — they generate a different MAC address for each WiFi network they join. This prevents tracking across networks. The address you see in your network settings is usually your real MAC address, while randomized ones are temporary and only used when connecting to new networks.