How to Check the MAC Address in Windows

Every device that connects to a network has a unique identifier burned into its hardware — the MAC address. Whether you're setting up a router filter, troubleshooting a network issue, or registering a device on a managed network, knowing how to find your MAC address in Windows is a practical skill worth having.

What Is a MAC Address?

A MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) at the hardware level. It looks something like this: A4:C3:F0:85:AC:2D — six pairs of characters separated by colons or hyphens.

Unlike an IP address, which can change depending on your network, a MAC address is tied to the physical hardware itself. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, which means routers and switches use it to direct traffic within a local network.

One important distinction: if your device has both a wired Ethernet port and a Wi-Fi adapter, each has its own separate MAC address. Knowing which one you need matters before you start looking.

Method 1: Using the Command Prompt ⚡

This is the fastest and most reliable method across all modern Windows versions.

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type:

ipconfig /all 

3. Press Enter and scroll through the output.

Look for your active adapter — either Ethernet adapter or Wi-Fi adapter. The line labeled Physical Address is your MAC address.

You'll see output that looks like:

Physical Address. . . . . . : A4-C3-F0-85-AC-2D 

If you have multiple adapters listed (virtual adapters, VPNs, Bluetooth), each will show its own physical address. Focus on the one that matches the connection type you're investigating.

Method 2: Using Windows Settings (No Command Line Needed)

For those who prefer a graphical interface, Windows 10 and Windows 11 both expose the MAC address through the Settings app.

On Windows 11:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Click your active connection — Wi-Fi or Ethernet
3. Scroll to Hardware properties
4. Look for Physical address (MAC)

On Windows 10:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet from the left panel
3. Select your active connection and click Properties
4. Scroll down to find the Physical address (MAC)

This method is clean and user-friendly, but it only shows MAC addresses for currently configured connections — virtual or inactive adapters won't appear here.

Method 3: Device Manager for All Adapters 🔍

If you need to see MAC addresses for adapters that aren't currently active, Device Manager gives you a broader view.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager
2. Expand Network Adapters
3. Right-click the adapter you want and select Properties
4. Go to the Advanced tab
5. Look for Network Address or Locally Administered Address in the property list

Note: This tab primarily shows configurable MAC address fields, not always the burned-in hardware address. For the factory-assigned MAC, the ipconfig /all method remains the most dependable.

Method 4: PowerShell for a Cleaner Output

If you prefer PowerShell — or if you're working in a scripted or enterprise environment — this command returns MAC addresses neatly:

Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, MacAddress 

This lists all network adapters on the machine along with their MAC addresses in a readable table format. It's particularly useful when a device has several adapters and you want to compare them quickly.

Key Variables That Affect What You're Looking For

A Note on MAC Address Randomization

Windows 10 and 11 introduced random hardware addresses for Wi-Fi connections — a privacy feature that rotates your MAC address so networks can't track your device across locations. If you're finding a MAC address to register with a router or network admin, make sure this feature is disabled for that network, or you'll be registering a temporary address that will eventually change.

To check: go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → [Your Network] → Properties and look for Random hardware addresses.

When the MAC Address You Find Doesn't Match What's Expected

If a network admin says your device isn't recognized, or your router filter isn't working as expected, MAC randomization is often the culprit. It's also possible you're looking at the wrong adapter — grabbing the Ethernet MAC when the device is connecting over Wi-Fi, for example.

The method you use, and the adapter you look at, depends entirely on what you're trying to accomplish — and that part is specific to your setup. 🖥️