MAC Address Format Converter
Hardware addresses are static, but every vendor requires a different format. Our tool instantly re-formats MAC addresses for Cisco (dots), Windows (hyphens), and Linux (colons). It also includes a random generator to help you create unique MACs for lab testing and device simulation.
Vendor-Specific Formats
Bulk Normalization
Test Data Generation
How to Use the MAC Address Converter
Flexible Formatting for Every System
Whether you are configuring a Cisco switch, a Windows DHCP server, or a Linux firewall, the physical address of the device remains the same, but the way you type it changes. This tool bridges the gap between different vendor formatting requirements.
Step 1 — Input a MAC Address
Paste your hardware address into the input field. You don't need to worry about the current format; our logic strips all separators and re-formats it instantly.
- 1Manual Entry: Enter any valid 12-character hex string (e.g.,
001a2b3c4d5e). - 2Random MAC: Click "Random MAC" button to generate a valid, locally administered address for testing.
- 3Convert: Click "Convert" to see the vendor-specific variations.
Step 2 — Identify Your Format
The results table highlights the most common formats used in the networking industry today:
| Format | Common Usage |
|---|---|
| Colon Separated | The IEEE standard for Linux, macOS, and Unix. |
| Hyphenated | The default display format for Windows (ipconfig /all). |
| Cisco Dot | Required for Cisco IOS commands and configuration. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a MAC address and an IP address?
A MAC address is a permanent, physical identifier burned into the hardware (Layer 2). An IP address is a logical address assigned by the network (Layer 3). Think of the MAC address as your social security number and the IP address as your mailing address.
Are MAC addresses case-sensitive?
No. Hexadecimal values are not case-sensitive. 00:AA:BB is exactly the same as 00:aa:bb. However, Cisco devices usually display and prefer lowercase dot-format addresses (xxxx.xxxx.xxxx).
Why do I need a Random MAC Generator?
Network engineers use random MAC addresses to test Port Security, DHCP pools, and ACL filters without using actual production hardware. Our generator creates "Locally Administered" addresses to prevent conflicts with real-world manufacturers.