Valid addresses for virtual hardware
Virtual machines, containers, network emulators and test fixtures often need a MAC address that will not clash with real hardware. By default this generator sets the locally administered bit and clears the multicast bit in the first byte, which is exactly what you want: the address is valid for a single device and can never match one assigned by a manufacturer.
Pick the format your tool expects: colons for Linux and macOS, hyphens for Windows, dots for Cisco equipment, or no separators.
Spotting a local address
In a locally administered unicast address, the second hex digit of the first byte is always 2, 6, A or E. For example, 02:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E or AE:7F:00:11:22:33.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to change a MAC address?
Setting a MAC address on your own virtual machines and devices is normal and supported by every operating system. Do not use it to impersonate other devices on networks you do not control.
Why do phones show a random MAC address?
iOS, Android and Windows use randomized, locally administered MAC addresses on WiFi to make it harder to track devices from network to network.