Networking · 5 min read · April 28, 2026
MAC Address vs IP Address — What's the Difference?
MAC addresses and IP addresses both identify devices on a network, but they work at completely different layers. Here's how they differ and when each one matters.
Both MAC addresses and IP addresses are used to identify devices on a network. They're often mentioned together, which leads people to think they're the same thing. They're not — they operate at completely different layers of the network stack and serve different purposes.
What is a MAC Address?
MAC stands for Media Access Control. A MAC address is a hardware identifier permanently assigned to a network interface card (NIC) by the manufacturer. Every Wi-Fi chip, Ethernet port, and Bluetooth adapter has one.
A MAC address looks like this: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
Six pairs of hexadecimal digits, separated by colons (or sometimes hyphens). The first three pairs identify the manufacturer (called the OUI — Organizationally Unique Identifier). The last three pairs are the device-specific serial number.
MAC addresses are burned into hardware at the factory and are meant to be globally unique across all devices ever manufactured. In practice, they can be spoofed in software, but the physical hardware always has an original one.
What is an IP Address?
An IP address is a logical identifier assigned by the network, not the hardware. It tells the broader internet (or your local network) where to route traffic to reach your device.
An IPv4 address looks like: 192.168.1.42 or 203.0.113.5
Unlike a MAC address, IP addresses:
- Are assigned dynamically (by your router or ISP) or configured manually — see static vs dynamic IP →
- Change when you move between networks
- Can be public (visible on the internet) or private (only within your local network)
For more on IP addresses generally: what is an IP address? →
How They Work Together
MAC and IP addresses work at different layers of the OSI network model:
- MAC address — Layer 2 (Data Link). Used for communication within a local network (your home network, office LAN)
- IP address — Layer 3 (Network). Used for routing traffic across networks and the internet
When you send a request to a website, here's what happens:
- Your device knows the destination IP (via DNS lookup)
- Your router needs to forward the packet — it uses ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) to find out which MAC address on the local network corresponds to the next hop
- The packet travels hop by hop across the internet, with IP routing directing it
- Your MAC address is only ever visible within your own local network segment — it never travels across the internet
Think of it this way: the IP address is like your home's mailing address (used for routing across long distances). The MAC address is like your name on a buzzer panel in an apartment building (used for the final local delivery).
Key Differences
| Feature | MAC Address | IP Address |
|---------|------------|-----------|
| Assigned by | Hardware manufacturer | Network (router/ISP) |
| Changes | Rarely (can be spoofed) | Frequently (dynamic) |
| Scope | Local network only | Global internet |
| Format | 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E | 192.168.1.1 or IPv6 |
| Layer | Data Link (Layer 2) | Network (Layer 3) |
| Purpose | Local device identification | Routing across networks |
| Visible to websites? | No | Yes |
Can Websites See Your MAC Address?
No. Your MAC address never leaves your local network. By the time your traffic reaches any server on the internet, only your IP address is visible. Your MAC address is stripped at the router boundary.
This is why MAC address spoofing (changing your MAC address in software) provides no privacy benefit against internet tracking — websites can't see it anyway. If you're concerned about what websites can see, read what your IP address reveals →
Can Someone Track You by MAC Address?
Within a local network — yes. Your router logs the MAC addresses of every device that connects to it. In a corporate or school environment, network administrators can see which device (by MAC) connected to which network jack or access point.
More practically: Wi-Fi access points (like in shopping malls or airports) can track your movement by detecting your phone's Wi-Fi probe requests, which include your MAC address. Modern smartphones (iOS 14+, Android 10+) randomise MAC addresses for Wi-Fi scanning to prevent this kind of tracking.
How to Find Your MAC Address
Windows:
- Open Command Prompt
- Type
ipconfig /all - Look for "Physical Address" under your network adapter
Mac:
- System Settings → Network → select connection → Details
- Look for "Wi-Fi Address" or "Hardware Address"
iPhone: Settings → General → About → Wi-Fi Address
Android: Settings → About Phone → Status → Wi-Fi MAC Address
How to Find Your IP Address
Your public IP address — the one websites see — is shown instantly at IPLocator. It also shows your location, ISP, and network details. Your private (local network) IP can be found using ipconfig on Windows or ifconfig/ip addr on Mac/Linux.
MAC Address Spoofing
You can change your MAC address in software — this is called MAC spoofing. Reasons people do this:
- Privacy on public networks (preventing physical tracking by access points)
- Bypassing MAC-based access controls on networks (routers that whitelist specific MACs)
- Network testing — simulating different devices
On Windows: Device Manager → Network Adapter → Properties → Advanced → "Locally Administered Address"
On Mac: sudo ifconfig en0 ether aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff
Note that this changes only the software-reported MAC. The hardware still has its original burned-in address. If you want to change your actual internet-facing IP instead, here's how to change your IP address →
CHECK YOUR IP NOW
See What Your IP Reveals →Related Articles