What is the Random MAC Address Generator?
Every MAC we generate has the “locally administered” bit set and the “multicast” bit cleared. That is exactly what virtual machines, containers and privacy-randomised Wi-Fi interfaces use, so the addresses are valid for configuration without colliding with vendor-assigned (OUI) hardware addresses.
A MAC address is 48 bits, usually shown as six pairs of hexadecimal digits. In factory-assigned addresses the first three bytes hold the Organisationally Unique Identifier (OUI) that the IEEE assigns to a manufacturer, and the last three are chosen by that manufacturer. A quick way to spot a locally administered address is its second hex digit: if it is 2, 6, A or E, the address was set by software. Many modern phones and laptops use such random addresses on Wi-Fi to make tracking across networks harder.
How to use the Random MAC Address Generator
- Adjust the options above to match what you need.
- Press Generate (or hit Enter / Space) to create fresh results instantly.
- Click any result to copy it, or use Copy all.
- Download everything as CSV, JSON or TXT, or share a link with your settings.
Popular uses
- Virtual machines — assign NICs in VirtualBox, VMware, KVM or Hyper-V.
- Network testing — DHCP, ARP and inventory systems.
- Spoofing for privacy — set a random MAC on your own device.
Why use RandNow?
- Instant & unlimited — no sign-up, no daily caps.
- Private by design — results are generated in your browser, not on our servers.
- Export-ready — copy, CSV, JSON and TXT downloads built in.
- Cryptographically random — powered by the Web Crypto API.
Setting a MAC address on a virtual machine
Most hypervisors let you type a MAC into the network adapter settings. Use one address per adapter and note which VM uses which, so DHCP reservations and firewall rules stay predictable. Avoid duplicates on the same network segment: two interfaces with the same MAC confuse switches and cause dropped connections. When you clone a VM, give the copy a new MAC so it doesn’t clash with the original.
Choosing a format
Linux and macOS usually display colons, Windows uses hyphens and Cisco equipment uses dotted groups of four digits. The underlying value is identical — only the separators change, so pick whatever your tool or config file expects. Changing the MAC of your own device is legitimate, but doing so to evade a network’s rules may break its terms of use, so use it responsibly. Press Generate to create addresses for your next setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is a locally administered MAC address?
One where the second-least-significant bit of the first byte is 1. It signals the address was assigned by software rather than the manufacturer.
Which formats are supported?
AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF, AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF, AABB.CCDD.EEFF and AABBCCDDEEFF, in upper or lower case.
Will it conflict with my network?
The chance of collision is about 1 in 70 trillion per pair of devices.
Does every virtual machine need its own MAC address?
Yes, every network adapter on the same network segment needs a unique MAC. Duplicates cause conflicts, so generate a new one for each VM or clone.
Does my phone already use a random MAC?
Most likely. Recent versions of iOS and Android use a randomised Wi-Fi MAC per network by default; you can usually check this in the Wi-Fi network’s privacy settings.