🔗 MAC Address Generator
Generate one or many random MAC addresses, with the separator, case and locally-administered option you need.
Generates random MAC addresses (48-bit, 6 octets) for testing, mocking devices or spoofing. "Locally administered" sets the address\'s second-least-significant bit of the first octet (making the first octet 02, 06, 0A or 0E…), the correct range for addresses you assign yourself rather than manufacturer-burned ones. Choose the separator and case to match your platform. 🔒 Generated in your browser.
How the mac address generator works
A MAC address is a 48-bit identifier written as six hexadecimal octets. The tool generates random octets and formats them with your chosen separator (colon, dash or none) and case. The "locally administered" option sets the second-least-significant bit of the first octet, the bit that marks an address as one you've assigned yourself rather than a manufacturer-burned (universally administered) one, which is correct for test and virtual addresses.
Use generated MACs for testing, virtual machines, network simulations or as placeholders, not to impersonate a specific real device. The locally-administered flag keeps them clearly distinct from real hardware addresses (their first octet ends up as 02, 06, 0A or 0E…). Generate up to 100 at once and copy them all.
Frequently asked questions
What is a MAC address?
A Media Access Control address, a 48-bit hardware identifier for a network interface, written as six hex octets like 02:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e. It identifies devices on a local network.
How do you generate a random MAC address?
Pick six random bytes and format them as hex octets. For a self-assigned address, set the locally-administered bit in the first octet. This tool does both and lets you choose the separator and case.
What is a locally administered MAC address?
One assigned by software rather than burned in by the manufacturer, marked by a specific bit in the first octet (making it 02, 06, 0A or 0E…). It's the correct type for virtual machines, testing and spoofing without clashing with real hardware ranges.
What are the separator options?
MAC addresses are commonly written with colons (02:1a:2b:…), dashes (02-1a-2b-…) or no separator, and in upper or lower case. Choose the format your platform or tool expects.
Can I use these on a real network?
They're random and meant for testing, VMs and mock data. You can assign one to a virtual interface, but don't use a generated MAC to impersonate a specific real device or bypass access controls.
What do the first three octets normally mean?
In a real hardware address the first three octets are the OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier), a block assigned to the manufacturer, and the last three identify the specific device. A locally-administered address is self-assigned, so it does not belong to any manufacturer's OUI, which is exactly why it is the safe choice for test and virtual interfaces.
What is a unicast versus multicast MAC address?
The least-significant bit of the first octet flags this: 0 means unicast (one specific interface) and 1 means multicast (a group). Normal device addresses are unicast, so the generator keeps that bit clear on the first octet while it sets the separate locally-administered bit.
Why do the locally-administered addresses start with 02, 06, 0A or 0E?
Because the locally-administered bit is the second-lowest bit of the first octet. Setting it on an otherwise-even first octet produces exactly those values (…the low nibble becomes 2, 6, A or E), which is the visible signature of a self-assigned address.