Overview

Every computer's network interface has a unique identifer called a MAC address. It is a 12 digit hexadecimal number usually delimted by colons, e.g. ab:01:23:ef:45:dc. Both wired and wireless network interfaces have these addresses.

Finding the Ethernet MAC Address

When you connect a Mac-formatted drive to Windows, you’ll be informed that “you need to format the disk in drive X: before you can use it.” Don’t click the “Format disk” button or Windows will erase the contents of the drive–click “Cancel”! This message appears because Windows doesn’t understand Apple’s HFS+ file system. The Macintosh (commonly shortened to Mac since 1998) is a family of personal computers designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple Inc. Since January 1984. The original Macintosh is the first successful mass-market personal computer to have featured a graphical user interface, built-in screen, and mouse. Apple sold the Macintosh alongside its popular Apple II family of computers for almost ten.

Microsoft Windows

For PCs running Windows 7 and earlier, Go to Start Menu > Programs > Accessories > DOS Command Prompt. Type cmd. For PCs running Windows 8 and later, launch the 'Command' program by searching for it in your applications list. When the command window appears, type ipconfig /all. The Physical Address value for your ethernet card is your MAC address. Make sure you're looking at your ethernet interface and not your wireless interface.

Apple MacOS X

From the Desktop

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Network (under 'Internet and Wireless').
2. Make sure that the ethernet interfaces is selected on the left side.
3. Click on the Advanced button on the right, and then the Hardware tab. The MAC address is listed there.

From the Terminal

Type 'networksetup -listallhardwareports'. The 'Ethernet Address' field for the ethernet hardware port is your MAC address.

Mac Audio Interface

Linux

Mac Interface Tutorial

Type ip link in a terminal window. The link/ether field associated with your ethernet interface is your MAC address.