MAC Address vs IP Address​: What Is The Difference

Denis K

Author

What’s the Difference Between MAC and IP Addresses? Think of it this way — your MAC address is like your driver’s license for your network. It tells your local network exactly who you are. Your IP address? That’s more like your home address, letting websites and services know where to send information.

A MAC address is burned into your device. It never changes (unless spoofed). An IP address, on the other hand, is assigned by your internet service provider (ISP) and can change depending on where you are. Both are essential, but they operate in different scopes: MAC is local; IP is global.

What is a MAC Address?

So, what is a MAC address? The Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier assigned to every device that connects to a network. Your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and even your smart fridge all have one. MAC addresses are sometimes called physical addresses.

When you’re connected to Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, your MAC address helps that local network recognize your device. It makes sure that the internet data meant for your phone doesn’t end up going to someone else’s laptop sitting two tables away.

What is the Format of a MAC Address?

The MAC address isn’t just a random set of characters. It’s a 48-bit number, typically displayed as six pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons or hyphens — like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E or or 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E.

• The first 24 bits represent the manufacturer, also known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI). Companies like Apple, Dell, or Sony are assigned specific ranges.
• The last 24 bits are unique identifiers for the specific device. This part is what makes every device different, even if it’s from the same company.

Example. Let’s take this MAC address: F0:99:BF:3C:4D:5E

• F0:99:BF → This is the OUI, assigned to Apple Inc.. Any device manufactured by Apple, like a MacBook, iPhone, or iPad, could have this prefix.
• 3C:4D:5E → This portion is the unique identifier. Apple assigns this to a specific network interface (like the Wi-Fi chip inside your iPhone). No other Apple device in the world should have the same last 24 bits if manufacturing rules are followed correctly.

If your MAC address is 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E, the “00” at the front signals both that it’s a unicast address and universally administered (factory default).

MAC addresses work only within your local network. Once data goes out to the internet, it’s handed off to your IP address.

On the flip side, if it starts with something like 02:, it means the device has a locally administered address, often randomized for privacy on public networks.

MAC addresses are not just static identifiers. Depending on how they’re used, they can serve different purposes within a network. The three primary types are Unicast, Multicast, and Broadcast MAC Addresses.

Types of MAC Address

Unicast MAC Address

A Unicast MAC Address is the most common type. It identifies a single, unique receiver within a local network. When data is sent using a Unicast MAC, only the device with that exact MAC address will process the data.

If the least significant bit (LSB) of the first octet is 0, the MAC address is recognized as a Unicast.

Unicast is used in most day-to-day activities — web browsing, emails, file transfers.

Example: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E — the data is directed only to this device.

Usage:

• Typical communications like transferring a file from your laptop to your desktop over Wi-Fi.
• Network traffic where devices are communicating one-on-one within the same LAN.

Multicast MAC Address

A Multicast MAC Address allows data to be sent to a group of devices within a network, but not to every device. It’s useful when multiple devices are listening for the same information, like streaming or conference data.

If the LSB of the first octet is 1, it’s identified as a Multicast Address.

Multicast is often used for special tasks like IPTV, gaming servers, or software updates across enterprise networks.

Example: A common IPv4 multicast MAC might look like 01:00:5E:xx:xx:xx, where xx:xx:xx represents the specific multicast group.

Usage:

• Video streaming to multiple viewers on the same network.
• Group chat services or collaborative apps that update all participants simultaneously.
• Network discovery protocols like mDNS (used by Apple devices with AirDrop).

Broadcast MAC Address

A Broadcast MAC Address sends data to every device on the local network (LAN). Every network card on that segment will read and process the packet.

It’s represented when all bits are set to 1, meaning every hex digit is FF.

Broadcast is becoming less common in modern IPv6 networks, where multicast often replaces it to reduce unnecessary traffic.

Example: FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF

Usage:

• ARP requests (asking “Who has IP 192.168.1.1?”).
• Network initialization, where devices check who else is present on the LAN.
• DHCP requests when a device tries to obtain an IP address upon connection.

Too much broadcast or multicast traffic can bog down a network. That’s why enterprise-grade switches often include features like IGMP Snooping to manage multicast traffic efficiently.

Pro Tip: Look at your own device’s MAC address. If it starts with 02, your phone or laptop is likely using a randomized address to protect your privacy when using public networks like coffee shops, airports, or hotels.

What are MAC Address Examples for Vendors?

Here’s a list of Organizationally Unique Identifiers (OUIs) associated with well-known hardware vendors. These prefixes are the first three bytes of a MAC address and are assigned by the IEEE to identify the manufacturer of a network device. You can also check you MAC here. Common MAC address prefixes can tell you who made the hardware:

How to Find My MAC Address?

Finding your MAC address isn’t rocket science. Here’s how you do it:

Windows

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd and hit **Enter`.
2. Type ipconfig /all.
3. Look for Physical Address in the results.

macOS

1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
2. Click Advanced.
3. You’ll see your MAC address listed as Wi-Fi Address or Ethernet ID.

Linux

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type ifconfig or ip link.
3. Look for ether, followed by your MAC address.

Does VPN Hide Your MAC Address?

Nope — your VPN does not hide your MAC address. VPNs mask your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic, but your MAC address stays visible within your local network, like your home router or a coffee shop’s Wi-Fi.

What is an IP Address?

Your IP address is like a digital street address. It’s assigned by your ISP and lets websites and services know where to send data. No IP? No internet.

There are two types of IP addresses, each based on different bit lengths IPv4 vs IPv6.

• IPv4:
  • 32-bit address.
  • Common and familiar format like 192.168.1.1.
  • Provides about 4.3 billion unique addresses (not enough for today’s internet alone).
• IPv6:
  • 128-bit address.
  • Format looks like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
  • Offers an astronomical number of addresses — enough for every grain of sand on Earth to have billions.

If you’re unsure about how to locate your IP address or distinguish between the two types, we have a detailed guide on how to find your IP address that walks you through it step-by-step.

What is the Importance of an IP Address?

IP addresses allow communication over the internet. Without them, sending an email, streaming a video, or browsing a website would be impossible. It’s the backbone of how data knows where to go.

What are IP Address Types?

• IPv4: Common and looks like 192.168.1.1.
• IPv6: Newer format like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334.
• Public IP: Visible to the internet.
• Private IP: Used inside local networks.
• Static IP: Doesn’t change.
• Dynamic IP: Changes over time.

Is an IP Address Specific to a Device?

Not exactly. Unlike a MAC address tied to hardware, your IP is tied to your network or internet connection. It can change based on location, network, or time.

If you’d like to explore this further, check out our guide on how to find a device by IP address for practical methods and limitations.

Tools for IP Address Discovery

Want to check your IP? Easy. Use online tools like WhoerIP or run commands like ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux).

Do Firewalls Hide IP Addresses?

Firewalls don’t hide IP addresses; they protect your device by blocking unwanted traffic. To hide an IP, you’d use a VPN or proxy server.

How Does Your IP Address Affect Privacy?

Websites, apps, and advertisers can use your IP to figure out your approximate location, ISP, and sometimes even your browsing habits. That’s why many privacy-conscious users prefer to hide their IP.

How MAC and IP Addresses Work Together

Here’s the simple flow:

• Your MAC address identifies your device on the local network (like your home Wi-Fi).
• Your IP address identifies your network on the wider internet.

Think about ordering a package to your apartment. The building address (IP) gets it to the right place, and the apartment number (MAC) ensures it ends up at your door.

MAC Address vs IP Address Comparison Table

How MAC and IP Fit in the OSI Model

If you troubleshoot networking issues, understanding whether the problem is at Layer 2 (MAC-level, local connections) or Layer 3 (IP-level, routing beyond your local network) can save hours!

MAC Address in the OSI Model

• Layer: Data Link Layer (Layer 2)
• Role: MAC addresses are used for local network communication. They ensure that data reaches the correct physical device within the same network segment (like your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network).

When devices communicate within a local area network (LAN), the MAC address serves as the unique identifier for the network interface card (NIC). For instance, when your laptop sends a file to a printer on the same Wi-Fi, it uses the MAC address to ensure the printer, not another device, gets it.

MAC operates only within the local scope. Once data needs to travel beyond the local network (like to the internet), MAC addressing steps aside.

IP Address in the OSI Model

• Layer: Network Layer (Layer 3)
• Role: IP addresses are responsible for logical addressing and routing data across different networks globally.

When your device sends a request to a website, the IP address tells the internet where your request is coming from and where to send the response. The Network Layer breaks data into packets and chooses the best route for it to travel across interconnected networks.

FYI: The ARP protocol is the bridge between Layer 2 (MAC) and Layer 3 (IP). It helps convert an IP address to a MAC address within a local network.

IP addresses are crucial for connecting different LANs over the internet or larger networks (WANs).

Table: MAC vs. IP in OSI Model

Understanding “what is a ip address vs mac address​” helps demystify the invisible infrastructure that powers the internet. A MAC address is your unique device ID on local networks, while an IP address is your public-facing digital address for the internet.

Knowing the difference isn’t just nerd trivia — it’s crucial for protecting your privacy, troubleshooting network issues, and understanding how your online presence works.

If you want to take control of your online footprint, learn how to check your IP, hide your IP, or even change your IP on Mac OS. Knowledge is your first line of defense.

Frequently Asked Questions