To find your MAC address in Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Network & Internet. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, select your network, and look for Physical address (MAC) under Properties.
In Command Prompt, type getmac /v /fo list and press Enter to see the MAC address of every network adapter.
Applies to: Windows 10, including Dell, HP, and Lenovo laptops. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 25, 2026.
What a MAC address is
A MAC address is the hardware address of a network adapter. It looks like 3C-52-82-4A-9B-10. Each adapter has its own, so a laptop has one for Wi-Fi and another for Ethernet. You might need it to let a device onto a router’s allow list or for a network admin.
Method 1: Find it in Settings
- Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), then select your connected network.
- Scroll to Properties and find Physical address (MAC).
Method 2: Use getmac
- Press Windows + R, type
cmd, and press Enter. - Type
getmac /v /fo listand press Enter. - Find your adapter by its Connection Name, such as Wi-Fi, and read its Physical Address.
Method 3: Use ipconfig /all
In Command Prompt, type ipconfig /all. Each adapter lists its Physical Address. This also shows your IP address and DNS servers.
Method 4: Use Network Connections
- Press Windows + R, type
ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. - Right-click your connection and select Status, then Details.
- Your MAC address is next to Physical Address.
You can also find it without Command Prompt in System Information: press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and go to Components > Network > Adapter.
Why your Wi-Fi MAC address might change
Windows 10 can use random hardware addresses on Wi-Fi for privacy. If it’s on, the address your router sees is different from the adapter’s real one. To check, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and look at Random hardware addresses. Turn it off for a network if your router needs the real address.
If you can’t find a MAC address
- The adapter isn’t listed: it may be disabled. Turn it on in Network Connections or check Device Manager > Network adapters.
- getmac shows “Media disconnected”: the adapter still has a MAC address. It’s just not connected.
- Several addresses: virtual adapters, such as VPN or Bluetooth, have their own. Use the one for Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Frequently asked questions
Is a MAC address the same as an IP address?
No. The MAC address belongs to the hardware. The IP address is given by your network. See how to find your IP address in Windows 10.
Can two devices have the same MAC address?
Real hardware addresses are unique. Random addresses on Wi-Fi are made up by Windows.
Is it safe to share my MAC address?
It’s only visible on your local network, so it’s low risk. Share it with your network admin or router, not publicly.
To give this PC a fixed address on your network, see how to change your IP address in Windows 10.
To turn this PC on over the network with its MAC address, see how to set up Wake on LAN in Windows 10.
If your Wi-Fi adapter is turned off, see how to turn on Wi-Fi in Windows 10.
To change it, see how to change your MAC address in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, see how to find your MAC address in Windows 11.
Microsoft’s command reference is getmac. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.