getmacList network adapter MAC addresses

Purpose

getmac reports the MAC addresses of the local (or a remote) machine's network adapters. Its typical uses are setting up DHCP reservations, MAC filtering, 802.1X/RADIUS enrolment, and quickly identifying an adapter's hardware address.

Basic use

getmac /v /fo list

Connection Name:  Ethernet
Network Adapter:  Intel(R) Ethernet Connection
Physical Address: A4-5E-60-1B-2C-3D
Transport Name:   \Device\Tcpip_{9F...}

Connection Name:  Wi-Fi
Network Adapter:  Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201
Physical Address: 12-34-56-78-9A-BC
Transport Name:   Media disconnected

Options

Reading a locally administered address

A first byte with the second-lowest bit set (values ending 2, 6, A or E in the first octet, such as 12-34-…) indicates a software-assigned address, which is what MAC randomisation and virtual machines produce. Manufacturer-assigned addresses have that bit clear. See MAC address for the format details.

Common mistakes

• Expecting IP information. getmac shows only hardware addresses; use ipconfig for IPs.
• Confusing a randomised Wi-Fi MAC with the real one. Windows 11 can present a per-network random address; the physical adapter address is shown in ipconfig /all as the permanent address only when randomisation is off for that network.

PowerShell equivalent

Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, MacAddress, Status lists adapters with their MAC and link state as objects.