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How to Find Your MAC Address (Windows and Mac)

Applies toWindows 11Windows 10macOS
4 min fix Updated 10 Jul 2026

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig /all. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced.

Checked against Microsoft Learn - Windows release health, Microsoft Learn - end of support and retirement and between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Summary ​

This article guides you through finding your computer's Media Access Control (MAC) address, a unique 12-character hardware identifier often required by IT to grant network or Wi-Fi access.

Before You Start ​

None required.

Instructions ​

1. Find your MAC address on Windows ​

Windows reports the MAC address as the Physical Address of your network adapter.

  1. Click the Start menu, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
  2. Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
  3. Scroll through the output to find the section titled Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi (or Ethernet adapter if you are plugged in with a cable).
  4. Find the line labeled Physical Address. This 12-character value (e.g., 00-14-22-01-23-45) is your MAC address.

2. Find your MAC address on a Mac ​

On a Mac the address sits in the network connection's hardware details.

  1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences).
  2. Click Network in the left sidebar.
  3. Click your active network connection (like Wi-Fi), then click Advanced or Details.
  4. Click the Hardware tab. The MAC Address is listed here.

Troubleshooting ​

INFO

If you have both Wi-Fi and a wired Ethernet connection, your computer has two different MAC addresses. Be sure to provide IT with the address for the connection you intend to use.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Command Prompt says "unrecognized command"Typo in commandEnsure you are typing ipconfig /all exactly as shown, with a space before the slash.
Multiple Physical Addresses listed in WindowsMultiple network adaptersLook specifically for the adapter you use to connect (usually "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi").

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Frequently asked questions

What does a MAC address look like?
A MAC address is a 12-character string of letters and numbers, usually separated by dashes or colons (e.g., A1-B2-C3-D4-E5-F6).
Is my MAC address the same as my IP address?
No. A MAC address is a permanent hardware number tied to your device, while an IP address changes depending on which network you join.