SSID Meaning: What Is an SSID and How Can You Find Yours?
Understand what an SSID is, how networks broadcast it, and how to find or change it on your devices.
What Is an SSID?
SSID stands for Service Set Identifier—the public name of a WiFi network that devices see when they scan for available connections. Routers and access points broadcast the SSID in beacon frames so that phones and laptops can present a list of nearby networks.
Using a unique SSID helps you distinguish your network from neighbors and makes troubleshooting easier. Avoid embedding sensitive information like your full name or address in the SSID.
Finding Your SSID on Windows and macOS
If you are already connected to WiFi, you can usually see the SSID from the network icon in your system tray or menu bar. Command‑line tools provide more detail, including signal strength and security type, which is useful when you are diagnosing coverage issues or verifying which access point you are connected to.
Run these in Command Prompt or PowerShell.
netsh wlan show interfaces # Current SSID and signal
netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid # Nearby networks and channels
The airport utility is hidden inside system frameworks; these commands reveal SSIDs and signal details.
sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -I
sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -s