What Is a MAC Address?

No matter how you connect to the Internet, it always takes a variety of software and hardware working together to allow communication from your device to other devices. Just like every home has a physical address, every network-connected device has a MAC address. These identifying addresses are required for a device to be on a network. In this article, learn what MAC addresses are and how to find yours on your device.

What is a MAC address?

A MAC, or Media Access Control, address identifies your physical device in order to connect to a network. A MAC address is different from an IP address; unlike Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, the manufacturer assigns MAC addresses to their devices at the factory.

Think of the it as a sort of serial code or physical network address that identifies the device to the network. When every Internet-capable device begins in development, the manufacturer assigns each device's network adapter a unique address to identify it on network interfaces. This gives the device the ability to connect to a network, which is necessary for the device to connect to the Internet. Because the number is assigned to the physical device by the manufacturer, in most cases, it can't be changed by the user.  Once again, the manufacturer defines the address and for most devices the end user cannot modify it. Sometimes, however, a MAC address can be cloned and assigned to an additional device.

Usually, they connect to a component in your device called a network interface controller (NIC). The NIC communicates your MAC to the network, enabling the connection.

What does a MAC address look like?

It is a 48-bit, 12-digit combination of numbers, letters, and colons. Here is a MAC address example:

00:00:5e:00:53:af

Also, each manufacturer has its own unique identifier within the address known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI). See some well-known manufacturers' OUI below.

  • Cisco: 00-40-96
  • Nortel: 00-04-DC
  • Dell: 00-14-22
Fingers searching for mac address on mac keyboard

The purpose of MAC in networking

The purpose of these addresses is to identify devices on a network. To prevent unauthorized access to a network, the router can be set to only accept devices specific to its network through MAC filtering. This way, even if the IP address changes, the router still identifies the device.

Additionally, the address is sometimes used in data recovery to connect to a device. MAC addresses can be used to diagnose network problems because in most cases, the addresses never change. This makes it easy for network administrators to pinpoint problems with specific devices sending and receiving data on the network.

Difference between MAC and IP

Though IPs and MACs may seem similar to those unfamiliar with networking, they’re actually quite separate. The two serve different purposes and function at different layers of the OSI model.

Essentially, an IP address is a logical address used for routing data across networks, and a MAC address is a physical address used for communication locally within a single network. IP addresses operate at the third layer of the OSI model, the network layer, while MAC addresses are use at the second layer, the data link layer.

Furthermore, IP addresses typically change; they’re assigned by your router or DHCP, and if you have a dynamic IP, it will change over time. MACs, however, do not change over the life of the device in most cases.

How to find your MAC address

If you want to find out what is your MAC address, you can find it through the command prompt or through your computer's settings. Follow the instructions below to find your MAC on your device.

How to find your MAC address on Windows

To find your the address on Windows:

1. Open the command prompt.

First, open the command prompt in your Windows computer.

2. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.

Next, enter the ipconfig command to find your MAC address.

You’ll get a lot of information, including your MAC address next to the “Physical Address” label.

How to find your MAC address in MacOS

To find your the address on a Mac:

1. Open the Apple menu.

Open the System Settings in the Apple menu.

2. Click System Settings and then Network.

3. Select your network connection and click Advanced.

You’ll be able to see your MAC labeled as “WiFi MAC Address.”

How to find your MAC address on a Chromebook

To find the address on a Chromebook:

1. Sign into your Chromebook.

2. At the bottom right, select the time.

3. Select your WiFi network.

Find MAC address on Chromebook, step 1

4. At the top of the box, select Information.

Find MAC address on Chromebook, step 2

There, you’ll see the IP and MAC of your Chromebook. The MAC address is labeled “WiFi.”

Find MAC address on Chromebook, step 3

How to find your MAC address on iPhone or iPad

To find the address on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Select General.

Find MAC address on iPhone step 1

3. Select About.

Find MAC address on iPhone Step 2

4. Scroll down until you see WiFi Address.

Find MAC address on iPhone Step 3

The WiFi address is your MAC address.

How to find your MAC on Android

To find the address on Android:

1. From the home screen, swipe up to access Search.

2. In the search box, type Settings.

Step one in finding an Android MAC address

3. Scroll down and select About Phone.

Step two in finding an Android MAC address

4. Scroll to the Device Identifiers section. The MAC address for your device will be listed under Device WiFi MAC Address.

Step three in finding an Android MAC address