Random MAC Generator
Generate random MAC addresses in any notation.
Random MAC Generator
Generate random MAC (Media Access Control) addresses for virtual machines, containers, test fixtures and network labs. Pick the address type, the notation used by your platform, upper or lower case, and optionally a fixed vendor prefix (OUI). Results are unique by default.
Address bits explained
The first byte of a MAC address carries two flag bits:
| Bit | Value 0 | Value 1 |
|---|---|---|
| I/G (lowest bit) | unicast – one device | multicast – a group |
| U/L (second bit) | universal, vendor-assigned (OUI) | locally administered |
Locally administered unicast is the safest choice for VMs and test data because it cannot clash with any manufacturer's hardware. The generator sets these bits for you; the rest of the 48 bits are random.
Formats
AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF– Linux, macOS, most network tools.AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF– Windows (ipconfig, getmac).aabb.ccdd.eeff– Cisco IOS.AABBCCDDEEFF– databases and APIs that store raw hex.
Typical uses
- Assign addresses to KVM, VirtualBox, Hyper-V or Docker network interfaces.
- Create realistic device inventories and DHCP lease tables for testing.
- Teach how Ethernet addressing, OUIs and multicast work.
- Fill network logs or IoT mock data with valid hardware addresses.
Addresses are generated in your browser using secure randomness. For IP addresses to go with them, use the Random IP Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a locally administered MAC address?
A MAC address whose second-lowest bit of the first byte is set (x2, x6, xA or xE as the second hex digit). Such addresses are not assigned to a manufacturer and are meant for virtual machines, containers and randomized Wi-Fi addresses, so they will not collide with real hardware vendors.
Can I use a vendor prefix?
Yes. Enter 1 to 5 bytes in Fixed prefix, for example 52:54:00 for QEMU/KVM or 00:50:56 for VMware. The remaining bytes are random. The type bits are not changed when you set a prefix.
Is it legal to change my MAC address?
Changing (spoofing) your own device's MAC address is legal in most places and is built into many operating systems for privacy. Using it to bypass network access controls you are not authorized to bypass is not.