Extract MAC-address-shaped values from text
Paste text into the input area or upload a text file to find matching MAC-address-shaped literals. The extractor recognizes colon-separated values such as 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E, hyphen-separated values such as 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E, Cisco dot notation such as 001a.2b3c.4d5e, and optional bare 12-hex-digit values. It does not verify hardware ownership, and separators cannot be mixed within one address.
Select formats and output options
Use the format checkboxes to choose which patterns the tool searches. Bare (no separator) format is off by default because unseparated hex strings can also be hashes or IDs. If you select no format checkboxes, the tool returns no matches.
- Unique only is checked by default. When enabled, it removes repeated addresses by normalized hexadecimal value and keeps the first occurrence.
- Normalize to colon format displays each match as
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx, regardless of its input notation. - Uppercase changes the letter casing of displayed results.
Paste text or upload a file
Paste source content into the input area, or select a file with Upload. The file picker accepts .txt, .csv, .json, .log, .html, and .htm files and reads the selected file as text. You can also drop a file onto the input area.
Review matches and metadata
The results table shows the displayed address, detected format, OUI prefix, type, source line, and context. The OUI prefix is shown for reference; this tool does not resolve it through a vendor database. The context column contains a compact snippet of up to approximately 30 characters before and after the match, with whitespace collapsed.
The extractor performs syntax matching, so a result is a MAC-address-shaped literal in the supplied text rather than proof that a real device owns that address. If there are no matches, the results table is hidden and the count displays 0 addresses found.
Copy or download the address list
After reviewing the results, use Copy or Download beside the output area. Both actions use the output textarea and provide the address list one address per line. They do not include the table's OUI, type, line, or context metadata.
How to use the extractor
- Enter text, select Upload, or drop a file onto the input area.
- Select at least one format checkbox.
- Adjust Unique only, Normalize to colon format, and Uppercase as needed.
- Review the result count and table.
- Use Copy or Download for the address-only output.
Processing and limitations
The extractor script reads and parses the entered text in the browser. The inspected extractor code contains no request that sends the entered text. This describes the extractor's processing; it is not an absolute site-wide privacy guarantee because the page also loads shared analytics scripts.
The local code does not define a maximum input or file size. The shared text uploader reports unreadable or cancelled file reads; clipboard availability still depends on the browser and can require manual copying.
Frequently asked questions
What MAC address formats does this tool recognize?
Colon-separated (00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E), hyphen-separated (00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E), and Cisco dot notation (001a.2b3c.4d5e) are enabled by default. You can also enable bare 12-hex-digit values with Bare (no separator) format.
What is the OUI vendor prefix shown in the results?
It's the first three bytes of the address, which IEEE assigns to a manufacturer as an Organizationally Unique Identifier. This tool displays the prefix for reference but does not look it up against a vendor database.
What does unicast vs multicast mean in the results?
The type is determined by the least significant bit of the first byte. If that bit is set, the result is marked as multicast; otherwise, it is marked as unicast.
Why is this separate from a general text or IP address extractor?
MAC addresses use different notations than IP addresses, including colon, hyphen, and Cisco dot grouping. The results also show MAC-specific details such as the OUI prefix and unicast or multicast type.