MAC Address Generator

Linux (iproute2)

sudo ip link set dev eth0 down
sudo ip link set dev eth0 address 02:00:00:12:34:56
sudo ip link set dev eth0 up

Lasts until reboot. Replace eth0 with your interface (list them with ip link).

Linux (NetworkManager, persistent)

nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 1" ethernet.cloned-mac-address 02:00:00:12:34:56
nmcli connection up "Wired connection 1"

For Wi-Fi connections use wifi.cloned-mac-address. The value can also be random or stable.

Windows

Device Manager → Network adapters → your adapter → Properties → Advanced
→ Network Address (or Locally Administered Address) → 020000123456

Enter 12 hex digits without separators. The option's name and availability depend on the driver; many Wi-Fi drivers only accept a locally administered address.

Windows Hyper-V

Set-VMNetworkAdapter -VMName "MyVM" -StaticMacAddress "00155D123456"

Run in PowerShell as administrator while the VM is off.

VMware Workstation (.vmx)

ethernet0.addressType = "static"
ethernet0.address = "00:50:56:12:34:56"

Manual addresses must be between 00:50:56:00:00:00 and 00:50:56:3F:FF:FF. The VMware preset here stays in that range.

VirtualBox

VBoxManage modifyvm "MyVM" --macaddress1 080027123456

12 hex digits without separators; --macaddress2 and so on for other adapters.

QEMU / KVM (libvirt XML)

<interface type='network'>
  <mac address='52:54:00:12:34:56'/>
  <source network='default'/>
</interface>

Edit with virsh edit MyVM.

Docker

docker run --mac-address 02:42:ac:11:00:02 nginx

Applies to containers on bridge and macvlan networks.

macOS

sudo ifconfig en0 ether 02:00:00:12:34:56

Works for many wired interfaces until restart. Recent macOS versions manage Wi-Fi addresses through the Private Wi-Fi Address setting in each network's details and may ignore manual changes.

Can a generated MAC address clash with a real device?

A locally administered address can't clash with a factory-assigned one. It could in theory match another random address, but with 46 random bits the chance is tiny. Universally administered addresses with a random or vendor prefix can match real hardware, which is another reason to prefer locally administered addresses.

How many MAC addresses are possible?

2⁴⁸, or 281,474,976,710,656. One 24-bit OUI covers 2²⁴ = 16,777,216 addresses. The IEEE also assigns smaller blocks: MA-M (28-bit prefix, about 1 million addresses) and MA-S (36-bit prefix, 4,096 addresses).

How do I find my current MAC address?

Windows: getmac or ipconfig /all. Linux: ip link. macOS: ifconfig en0 | grep ether, or the interface's details in System Settings → Network. Phones show it in the Wi-Fi network details, and with private addressing on it's different for each network.

Can a MAC address tell me who made a device?

Only for universally administered addresses: the first three octets identify the OUI holder. The checker on this page recognises the 29 prefixes listed above; a full lookup needs the IEEE registry. Locally administered addresses, including randomised Wi-Fi addresses, don't identify a manufacturer.

Is changing my MAC address legal?

Changing the address of your own device is generally lawful, and operating systems do it themselves for privacy. Using a changed address to impersonate another device or get into a network you aren't allowed on can break the law or the network's terms. This isn't legal advice; check the rules that apply to you.

What's the difference between a MAC address and an IP address?

A MAC address identifies an interface on the local network segment (layer 2) and isn't routed beyond it. An IP address identifies a host across networks (layer 3) and usually changes when the device moves to another network.