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MAC address vs IP address: What’s the difference?
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They’re both might be types of addresses on your network, but your MAC Address and IP Address are completely different things. Here’s what makes your MAC Address different to your IP Address
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 20 June 2025
Understanding your MAC address
A MAC address (short for Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier given to devices that connect to a network, like your phone, laptop, or tablet. It helps the network know exactly which device is which, so data gets sent to the right place.
Your MAC address is made up of numbers and letters, usually separated by colons or hyphens, like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. Each address is different, kind of like a fingerprint for your device, and it is set by the manufacturer of the device’s network card.
When you connect to WiFi, your device sends its MAC address to the router. The router then uses this information to keep track of your device and send data to it.
What Is a MAC Address Used For?
MAC addresses are used to help networks recognise and talk to devices. When your device connects to WiFi, for example, the router uses the MAC address to know which device is which, and to send the right data to the right place.
They also help with things like controlling who can connect to a network (using MAC filtering) and tracking devices for network management. In some cases, they can even be used for things like parental controls or blocking certain devices. Because each MAC address is unique, it’s a helpful way to identify and manage devices in a network.
Understanding your IP address
An IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is a number assigned to every device that connects to the internet or a local network. It works kind of like a home address for your device, helping other computers know where to send information.
An IP address usually looks something like 192.168.1.1, but it can be longer and more complex in newer formats. Unlike a MAC address, which is built into your device, your IP address can change depending on where and how you connect to the internet.
What Is an IP Address Used For?
IP addresses are used to send and receive data between devices across networks or over the internet. When you visit a website, your device uses its IP address to ask for the web page, and the website uses that IP address to send the page back to you.
They’re also useful for tracking activity online, setting up devices on a network, and blocking or allowing access to certain services. Without IP addresses, computers wouldn't know where to send the information you request online.
Mac address vs IP address: What’s the difference?
A MAC address helps your router know which device is which inside your home network, while an IP address helps other devices and websites find and talk to your device across networks and over the internet. The MAC address works in your local network, and the IP address works outside it.
A MAC address also is assigned to a device’s network hardware (like a WiFi card) by the manufacturer. It’s meant to be unique and permanent, like a serial number, and every device has its own MAC address that doesn’t change.
An IP address, however, is often assigned by a network or your broadband provider and can change over time, with devices getting a new IP address when they move to a different network or restart.
Think of your MAC address as a permanent name tag for your device, and your IP address as being more like your device’s mailing address, which can change depending on where you are the network you’re connected to.
More MAC address and IP address differences
A MAC address is mostly visible inside your home or local network. Devices use it to identify each other on the same network.
An IP address is visible beyond your local network, especially if you’re online. Websites and apps can see your IP address to know where to send information or to track activity.
MAC addresses are written using letters and numbers, usually in this format: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. They’re 12 characters long, grouped in pairs.
IP addresses come in two types. The common one, IPv4, looks like this: 192.168.0.1 (four numbers separated by dots). The newer version, IPv6, is longer and looks like: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
MAC addresses usually can’t be changed easily, although it is possible with special tools or software in some cases. IP addresses are much easier to change. They can be automatically assigned each time you connect to a network (called dynamic IP), or you can set one manually (called static IP).
How MAC addresses and IP addresses work together
While they may be different, your devices use both the IP address to reach the right network, and the MAC address to deliver the data to the right device once it's there.
When you use the internet, your device sends data to another device using an IP address, and a system called DNS translates those names into IP addresses so your device knows where to send the data. Your computer or phone puts the destination’s IP address into small data packets and sends them out, and these packets travel through the internet using routers, which help move the data toward the right location.
Once the packets reach the destination network, they need to go to the correct device – which is where the MAC address comes in.
The local network uses something called ARP to figure out which MAC address matches the IP address and then adds the MAC address to the data and sends it to the right device. This process happens quickly and constantly in the background every time you use the internet.
Where can I find my MAC Address and IP Address
You can find your MAC address and IP address on your device by checking the network settings. Here's how you do that on each device:
Go to the Start menu, then open Settings. Click on Network & Internet, then choose WiFi or Ethernet, depending on how you're connected. Click on your network name, and scroll down you’ll see both the IP address and MAC address listed there.
Click the Apple menu, then choose System Settings (or System Preferences). Go to Network, pick your connection (like WiFi), then click on Details or Advanced. You’ll find your IP address and MAC address there.
Go to Settings, then WiFi, and tap the name of the network you’re connected to. You should see the IP address and MAC address listed there. On some Android phones, you might need to go to About Phone > Status to find them.
Both addresses are usually found in your device’s network or connection settings, and they’re labeled clearly. The IP address often looks like numbers with dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1), and the MAC address is a mix of letters and numbers, usually with colons (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
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