Ethernet Frame Parser

Paste an Ethernet II frame hex dump to decode destination MAC, source MAC, EtherType, VLAN tags, IPv4, IPv6, ARP, and payload structure.

Specification: IEEE 802.3
Protocol:
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Learn Ethernet II FormatView Example Page

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Protocol Configuration

Parse an Ethernet Frame Online

ByteLens Ethernet Frame Parser turns a raw Ethernet II hex dump into a readable field breakdown. Paste any complete frame to see the destination MAC, source MAC, EtherType, and payload boundaries. The parser validates the hex string, maps each byte to its field, and highlights the corresponding bytes in the grid.

Ethernet II Frame Format

An Ethernet II frame begins with a 6-byte destination MAC address, followed by a 6-byte source MAC address, then a 2-byte EtherType field that identifies the upper layer protocol. The minimum payload is 46 bytes and the maximum payload is 1500 bytes; the frame normally ends with a 4-byte Frame Check Sequence (FCS) that is not shown in most captured hex dumps.

  • Destination MAC (6 bytes): the intended receiver at the data-link layer.
  • Source MAC (6 bytes): the original sender at the data-link layer.
  • EtherType (2 bytes): the protocol carried in the payload, such as IPv4, IPv6, ARP, or 802.1Q VLAN.
  • Payload (46-1500 bytes): the encapsulated upper-layer data.

Destination MAC and Source MAC Explained

MAC addresses are 48-bit identifiers assigned to network interfaces. The first three bytes typically form the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI) and reveal the device vendor. Use the MAC OUI Lookup tool to resolve the manufacturer behind any destination or source MAC. The parser displays MACs in colon-separated form so they match standard Wireshark and operating-system output.

EtherType Values: IPv4, IPv6, ARP, VLAN

EtherType is a 16-bit value that tells the receiver how to interpret the payload. Common values include:

  • 0x0800 — IPv4 payload
  • 0x0806 — ARP payload
  • 0x86DD — IPv6 payload
  • 0x8100 — 802.1Q VLAN-tagged frame

Ethernet Frame Examples

Explore real frame samples to see how each field behaves:

Ethernet Frame Parser vs Wireshark

Wireshark is the gold standard for live packet capture and deep protocol analysis. ByteLens Ethernet Frame Parser is a lightweight, browser-based alternative focused on learning and quick hex-dump inspection: no capture driver, no pcap file, and no installation. Paste a hex string, parse the frame, and compare the field breakdown with what you see in Wireshark.