About this interactive
From the lesson: a MAC address is 48 bits, burned into the network card by the card's maker. Nobody can read 48 ones and zeros, so it is written in hexadecimal.
- Each hex digit stands for 4 bits, so 48 bits are **12 hex digits**, and each pair of digits is 8 bits, one byte: **6 bytes**.
- Hex digits are **0 to 9 and A to F**. Any other letter means it is not a MAC address.
- The pairs are split by **colons or dashes** (Windows uses dashes). The separator, and capital or lower-case letters, do not change the address: they are only there so people can read it.
- **FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF**, all 48 bits set to 1, is the broadcast address: every device that receives a frame sent to it processes it.
About TechKnowSurge
TechKnowSurge builds IT and cybersecurity professionals through hands-on, concept-first training built around real understanding — not memorization. Free interactive tools, structured programs, and 25+ years of real-world experience, all in one place.
Explore free tools and programs →