Where to find your Mac address on any device

Your MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier assigned to your network card — the hardware that connects your device to your router. It looks like six pairs of numbers and letters separated by colons, such as 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. You need it to set up MAC filtering on your router, to reserve a static IP address for a device, or to troubleshoot why a specific computer won't connect to your network.

The fastest way to find it depends on what operating system you use. Windows, macOS, and Linux all store this information in the same place — your network settings — but the path to get there is different on each one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MAC address is a unique identifier for your network card, displayed as six pairs of numbers and letters like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all to see the Physical Address, which is your MAC address.
  • On macOS, go to System Settings > Network, select your connection, and click Details to find the MAC Address field.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type ip link show or ifconfig to locate the address next to "link/ether" or "HWaddr".
  • If your device has both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, each connection has its own MAC address — find the one for the network you actually use.

Finding your MAC address on Windows

The Command Prompt method is the fastest. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and open Command Prompt. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter. A list of all your network connections will appear. Look for the one labeled with your active connection — usually "Ethernet" if you are plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" if you are on Wi-Fi. Next to "Physical Address" you will see your MAC address.

If you prefer the graphical method, right-click the network icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select "Open Network & Internet settings", then click "Advanced network options". Find your active connection, click it, and scroll down to "Physical address (MAC)". Both methods show the same information — use whichever feels more natural to you.

If you have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi on your computer, you will see two different MAC addresses listed. Make sure you are looking at the one for the connection you actually use on your home network.

Finding your MAC address on macOS

Open System Settings and go to Network. On the left side, select the connection you use — either "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" depending on how you connect. Click the "Details" button. A new window opens showing connection information. Look for the field labeled "MAC Address" — that is the address you need.

If you prefer the terminal, open Applications > Utilities > Terminal and type ifconfig. Find the section for your active connection (usually en0 for Ethernet or en1 for Wi-Fi). The MAC address appears next to "ether".

Like Windows, if your Mac has both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, each one has a separate MAC address. Confirm which connection your device actually uses before writing down the address.

Finding your MAC address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip link show and press Enter. Your network interfaces will list with their MAC addresses next to "link/ether". Alternatively, type ifconfig if that command is available on your system — the MAC address appears next to "HWaddr".

If you have multiple network interfaces, identify which one you use. Ethernet connections are usually named eth0 or enp0s3. Wi-Fi connections are usually wlan0 or wlp3s0. The MAC address for your active connection is the one you need for your router settings.

What to do once you have your MAC address

Once you have written down your MAC address, you can use it to configure your router. The most common use is MAC filtering — telling your router to only allow devices with specific MAC addresses to connect. This adds a layer of security beyond your Wi-Fi password, because even someone who knows your password cannot connect unless their device's MAC address is on the allowed list.

Another common use is DHCP reservation. Your router normally assigns IP addresses automatically, which can change. If you want a device to always have the same IP address — useful for printers, security cameras, or servers — you can reserve that address by MAC address. This way the device always gets the same IP without you having to set it manually.

To explore either of these settings, log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser), find the section for MAC filtering or DHCP reservation, and enter the MAC address there. The exact steps vary by router model, so check your router's manual or support page if you get stuck.

Troubleshooting if you cannot find your MAC address

If the commands above do not show a MAC address, your network card may not be recognized by your operating system. Try unplugging and replugging your Ethernet cable, or toggling Wi-Fi off and on. Then run the command again.

If you are using a virtual machine, the MAC address shown is for the virtual network card, not your physical one. This is correct — use the virtual MAC address for any network settings inside the virtual machine.

If you have a USB network adapter (an external Ethernet or Wi-Fi card), it will have its own MAC address separate from your built-in network hardware. Make sure you are looking at the right device in your network settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my MAC address?

Yes, most operating systems allow you to change the MAC address shown to your network, a process called MAC spoofing. On Windows, you can do this through your network adapter settings. On macOS and Linux, you can change it from the terminal. However, your router will still see the new address, so this is mainly useful for testing network configurations, not for bypassing security.

Why do I see multiple MAC addresses on my device?

Each network connection has its own MAC address. If your computer has both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, you will see two. If you have a virtual machine installed, you may see additional addresses for virtual network cards. Use the MAC address for the connection you actually use on your home network.

Do I need my MAC address to connect to my home network?

No — you only need your Wi-Fi password to connect normally. You only need the MAC address if you want to set up MAC filtering (allowing only certain devices) or DHCP reservation (giving a device a fixed IP address). Most home networks do not use these features.

Will my MAC address change if I restart my computer?

No, your MAC address is burned into your network hardware and stays the same unless you deliberately change it. It will not change when you restart, update your operating system, or move to a different network.