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

Your MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a 48-bit code assigned to the network card in your computer. It looks like this: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Every device that connects to a network has one, and it never changes unless you deliberately alter it. Your router uses MAC addresses to identify devices on your local network, separate from the IP address your internet service provider assigns.

You might need your MAC address to set up a new router, register a device on a school or workplace network, configure port forwarding, or troubleshoot connection problems with your internet provider. The steps to find it differ depending on whether you use Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MAC address is a unique identifier for your network card, displayed as six pairs of numbers and letters separated by colons or hyphens.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to find the "Physical Address" listed for your active network connection.
  • On macOS, go to System Settings, select Network, choose your connection, and click Advanced to view the MAC address.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type ip link show or ifconfig to display all network interfaces and their MAC addresses.
  • If you have multiple network cards (wired and wireless), each one has its own MAC address—find the one for the connection you actually use.

Finding your MAC address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /all and press Enter. A list of all your network adapters will appear.

Look for the section labeled with your connection type—usually "Ethernet adapter" if you use a wired connection, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you use Wi-Fi. Find the line that says "Physical Address." That 12-character code (formatted like AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF) is your MAC address. If you have both wired and wireless connections, you will see two different MAC addresses—one for each adapter.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), select your active connection, scroll down, and look for "Physical address (MAC)." The number shown there is the same one Command Prompt displays.

Finding your MAC address on macOS

On macOS, open System Settings and click Network in the left sidebar. Select the connection you want to check—Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Click the Advanced button in the lower right corner, then select the TCP/IP tab. Your MAC address appears on the screen labeled as "MAC Address" and looks like 00:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e.

Alternatively, you can use the terminal. Click the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass in the top right), type terminal, and press Enter. In the terminal window, type ifconfig and press Enter. Find your connection (usually en0 for the primary connection) and look for the line starting with "ether"—that is your MAC address.

Finding your MAC address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip link show and press Enter. Your terminal will display all network interfaces on your computer. Each interface is labeled with a name like eth0, wlan0, or enp0s3. Below each interface name, you will see a line starting with "link/ether" followed by your MAC address in the format aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff.

If ip link show does not work on your system, try the older command ifconfig instead. Type ifconfig and press Enter. Look for the line labeled "HWaddr" or "ether"—that is your MAC address. The first interface listed is usually your primary connection, but if you have multiple network cards, each one will have its own entry and its own MAC address.

Understanding which MAC address to use

If your computer shows multiple MAC addresses, you need the one for the connection you actually use. If you connect via Wi-Fi, use the MAC address from your wireless adapter. If you use an Ethernet cable, use the address from your wired adapter. Do not use a MAC address from a connection you do not use—it will not work for registration or network setup.

Some computers have additional network interfaces (like Bluetooth adapters or virtual network cards) that also have MAC addresses. These are rarely what you need. Stick with the address from the physical network card you use to reach the internet.

What to do with your MAC address once you find it

Once you have your MAC address, you can use it to register your device on a network. Schools and workplaces often ask for it before allowing a computer to connect to their Wi-Fi. Internet service providers sometimes need it to set up a modem or router. If you are configuring port forwarding or setting up a static IP address on your home network, your router may ask for your MAC address to identify which device receives the traffic.

Write down or copy your MAC address somewhere you can find it later. You may need it again if you change routers, troubleshoot network problems, or move to a new location. The address itself never changes unless you deliberately modify your network card settings, which is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my MAC address?

Yes, but it is uncommon and usually not necessary. On Windows, macOS, and Linux, you can use terminal commands or third-party software to temporarily change your MAC address—a process called "spoofing." Most people never need to do this. If someone has told you to change your MAC address to fix a problem, double-check that information with your internet provider or network administrator first.

Is my MAC address the same as my IP address?

No. Your MAC address identifies your network card on your local network (your home Wi-Fi or office network). Your IP address is assigned by your internet service provider and identifies your connection on the internet. You need both for your computer to work, but they serve different purposes and look completely different.

Why does my router ask for my MAC address?

Routers use MAC addresses to identify devices on the local network and control which ones can connect. Some routers have a whitelist feature that only allows devices with specific MAC addresses to join the network. Others use MAC addresses to assign the same local IP address to a device every time it connects. This is useful for port forwarding and network management.

Do I need to find the MAC address for every device I own?

Only if you need to register or configure each device separately. If you are setting up a new router or registering devices on a school network, you will need the MAC address for each computer, phone, or tablet you want to connect. If you are just using your computer normally, you do not need to know your MAC address.