How to Check MAC Address on Linux

This practical guide walks through how to check MAC Address on Linux. It organizes the required steps, settings, and checks so you can complete the task with fewer mistakes.

You don't know how to find and get the MAC address on your computer? So let's continue reading this guide to learn more details.

Method 1: Use the "Ifconfig" Command

The simplest way to find and check the MAC address on Linux is to run the Ifconfig Command plus the "-a " option in the Terminal window. The MAC address shows up in the Ether Section as shown in the image below.

Method 1: Use the

Also on the same window, you can find other information including:

- General information about the network card: running on unicast or multicast and MTU.

- Layer 2 information: MAC address as well as the layer 2 protocol used by the network card (in this case Ethernet).

- Layer 3 information: includes IP address information (IPv4 and IPv6 addresses), default gateway IP address and subnet mask.

- RX and TX packages: RX and TX are the names of the cable being used.

Note: If you are using a virtual machine or VPS (virtual server), the MAC address you receive is the virtual address, not the service provider's.

Method 2: Use the "Ip" Command to Find the MAC Address on Linux

Another way to find the MAC address on Linux is to use the "ip" command. This command is mainly used to find the computer IP address.

To get and check your computer's MAC address, open Terminal and run the command below:

$ Ip Addr Show

The above command will list all available network interfaces on your current server.

Method 3: Find MAC Address on Linux by Navigating the Filesystem

On Linux, some information and data are stored directly in plain text files that you can access and view, including MAC addresses.

To find the MAC address on Linux, Simply navigate to the path: "/sys/class/net ", here find the network interface card you are interested in.

Method 3: Find MAC Address on Linux by Navigating the Filesystem - step or example 2

The next step is to open the "address" file in this symbolic link:

$ Cat /sys/class/net/eth0/address

$ Cat /sys/class/net/eth0/address - step or example 3

Now you can see your Linux computer's MAC address.

Also, if you don't know how to check the MAC address of a Windows 7/8/10 and Mac OS X computer, you can watch the tutorial here to check.

Above TipsMake has just shown you 3 ways to find and check MAC address on Linux. In addition, readers can review some articles already on TipsMake to learn more about how to find IP address and Mac address on Mac OS X.

FAQ

What do I need before I check MAC Address on Linux?

Prepare the required device, software, account access, and any files mentioned in the steps. Back up important data before changing system settings.

Why does the process look different on my device?

Menus and options can vary by operating system, app version, device model, or region. Use the closest matching setting and check the official documentation when needed.

What should I do if a step does not work?

Restart the app or device, confirm permissions and connectivity, update the software, and repeat the step carefully. Avoid unofficial downloads or tools.