About this tool
Every network interface – Wi-Fi chip, network card or router – has a 48-bit MAC address, usually written like 3c:5a:b4:12:34:56. The first three bytes usually reveal the vendor. The tool looks it up in the official IEEE list, which contains all assigned prefixes.
It also converts between the usual notations (colons, Windows with dashes, Cisco with dots), detects multicast and locally administered addresses and calculates the IPv6 link-local address using EUI-64. Create random MAC addresses with one click. The vendor list is searched only in your browser. Convert IP addresses with the IP Address Converter.
How it works
- Enter a MAC address in any notation, e.g. from ipconfig, ip link or your router.
- Read the vendor and the different notations.
- Check whether it is a globally unique or a locally administered address.
- Create a random MAC address if needed, e.g. for a virtual machine.
Frequently asked questions
Why is no vendor found for my phone?
For privacy, smartphones and laptops often use random MAC addresses on Wi-Fi. These are “locally administered” (the second bit of the first byte is set, recognizable by 2, 6, A or E as the second digit) and belong to no vendor.
What is an OUI?
The Organizationally Unique Identifier is the vendor prefix assigned by the IEEE – classically the first 24 bits (MA-L). Smaller blocks of 28 bits (MA-M) or 36 bits (MA-S) go to companies that need fewer addresses. The tool considers all three.
How is the IPv6 link-local address derived?
With the EUI-64 method, FFFE is inserted in the middle of the MAC address and the universal/local bit is flipped. The prefix fe80:: is put in front. Modern systems, however, often use random identifiers instead (RFC 7217) so devices cannot be tracked across networks.
Can a MAC address be faked?
Yes, most operating systems allow setting your own MAC address. That is why it is no secure identifier, e.g. for Wi-Fi access control. For your own purposes, a locally administered random address like the ones this tool creates is the best choice.