How to find the Ethernet Address (a.k.a. Physical or MAC Address) of your computer


Note: Staff at NUI Galway can normally find the Ethernet Address printed on a label on their computer (system unit) or on the bottom of their laptop. The format is similar to 00-19-C4-A5-5B-76.  

To find the Ethernet Address for Windows computers 

  1. Click Start, then Run, type CMD in the text box and click OK 

  2. Type in ipconfig/all in the Command Prompt window and press the Return key 

  3. In the Command Prompt window, locate Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
    The 12 digit Physical Address (a.k.a. Ethernet Address) will be visible directly below the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection.

To find the Ethernet Address for Apple Macintosh computers  

  1. From the Apple menu, Select System Preferences, then Network, then Built-in Ethernet and then select the Ethernet tab

  2. The 12 digit Ethernet ID will be visible.

To find the Ethernet Address for Vista computers

  1. Select the windows icon to access the search function of the Start menu.

  2. Click in the search box and type in CMD. Click the CMD program.



  3. Type in ipconfig/all in the Command Prompt window and press the Return key

    In the Command Prompt window, locate Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection.

    The 12 digit Physical Address (a.k.a. Ethernet Address) will be visible directly below the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection.