Every device that connects to a network has two kinds of address. The MAC address is a hardware identifier used inside your local network. The IP address is a logical address used to route traffic between networks, across the internet.
The differences at a glance
| MAC address | IP address | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | 3C:22:FB:9A:12:7E |
192.168.1.20 or 2001:db8::20 |
| Identifies | A network interface (Wi-Fi or Ethernet card) | A device's connection on a network |
| Assigned by | The manufacturer (or randomized by the device) | Your router (local) or ISP (public) |
| Scope | Only your local network | Local network and internet |
| Seen by websites | No | Yes, the public IP |
| Changes | Rarely, unless randomized | Often |
What a MAC address looks like
A MAC (Media Access Control) address is 48 bits, written as six pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons or dashes. The first three pairs traditionally identify the manufacturer (the OUI), the rest the individual device.
Why websites never see your MAC address
Your MAC address is only used for the "last hop" between your device and your router. When traffic leaves your home, the router replaces it with its own. Websites and online services therefore see your public IP address, never your MAC address.
MAC randomization
To stop shops, airports and other Wi-Fi networks from tracking devices as they move around, modern systems use a random MAC address per Wi-Fi network:
- iPhone and iPad: "Private Wi-Fi Address", on by default.
- Android: "Use randomized MAC", on by default since Android 10.
- Windows 11: "Random hardware addresses" in Wi-Fi settings.
Turn it off for your home network only if your router uses MAC-based rules, such as parental controls or fixed local addresses.
How to find your MAC address
- Windows: Command Prompt →
ipconfig /all→ Physical Address. - macOS: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → Hardware.
- iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → ⓘ → Wi-Fi Address.
- Android: Settings → About phone → Wi-Fi MAC address (or in the Wi-Fi network details).
- Linux:
ip link.
How IP and MAC work together
When your laptop sends a packet to the router at 192.168.1.1, it uses ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) to ask "which MAC address has this IP?". The router answers, and the packet is delivered over Wi-Fi or Ethernet to that MAC address. For IPv6 the same job is done by Neighbor Discovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone find my MAC address over the internet?
No. It does not leave your local network.
Can I change my MAC address?
Yes, most systems let you set a different or random one. It only affects your local network.
Is a MAC address personal data?
In the EU it can be, because it can identify a device over time. That is why Wi-Fi tracking in public places needs consent.