diff --git a/src/core/api/thread_api.cpp b/src/core/api/thread_api.cpp
index 3aa06f7de..fee06f294 100644
--- a/src/core/api/thread_api.cpp
+++ b/src/core/api/thread_api.cpp
@@ -67,18 +67,16 @@ const otExtendedPanId *otThreadGetExtendedPanId(otInstance *aInstance)
 
 otError otThreadSetExtendedPanId(otInstance *aInstance, const otExtendedPanId *aExtendedPanId)
 {
-    otError           error    = OT_ERROR_NONE;
-    Instance &        instance = *static_cast<Instance *>(aInstance);
-    otMeshLocalPrefix prefix;
+    otError                   error    = OT_ERROR_NONE;
+    Instance &                instance = *static_cast<Instance *>(aInstance);
+    const Mac::ExtendedPanId &extPanId = *static_cast<const Mac::ExtendedPanId *>(aExtendedPanId);
+    Mle::MeshLocalPrefix      prefix;
 
     VerifyOrExit(instance.Get<Mle::MleRouter>().GetRole() == OT_DEVICE_ROLE_DISABLED, error = OT_ERROR_INVALID_STATE);
 
-    instance.Get<Mac::Mac>().SetExtendedPanId(*static_cast<const Mac::ExtendedPanId *>(aExtendedPanId));
+    instance.Get<Mac::Mac>().SetExtendedPanId(extPanId);
 
-    prefix.m8[0] = 0xfd;
-    memcpy(&prefix.m8[1], aExtendedPanId->m8, 5);
-    prefix.m8[6] = 0x00;
-    prefix.m8[7] = 0x00;
+    prefix.SetFromExtendedPanId(extPanId);
     instance.Get<Mle::MleRouter>().SetMeshLocalPrefix(prefix);
 
     instance.Get<MeshCoP::ActiveDataset>().Clear();
@@ -166,7 +164,7 @@ otError otThreadSetMeshLocalPrefix(otInstance *aInstance, const otMeshLocalPrefi
 
     VerifyOrExit(instance.Get<Mle::MleRouter>().GetRole() == OT_DEVICE_ROLE_DISABLED, error = OT_ERROR_INVALID_STATE);
 
-    instance.Get<Mle::MleRouter>().SetMeshLocalPrefix(*aMeshLocalPrefix);
+    instance.Get<Mle::MleRouter>().SetMeshLocalPrefix(*static_cast<const Mle::MeshLocalPrefix *>(aMeshLocalPrefix));
     instance.Get<MeshCoP::ActiveDataset>().Clear();
     instance.Get<MeshCoP::PendingDataset>().Clear();
 
diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp b/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp
index b3adad1e4..ede32776e 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ otError Dataset::Set(const otOperationalDataset &aDataset)
     {
         MeshCoP::MeshLocalPrefixTlv tlv;
         tlv.Init();
-        tlv.SetMeshLocalPrefix(aDataset.mMeshLocalPrefix);
+        tlv.SetMeshLocalPrefix(static_cast<const Mle::MeshLocalPrefix &>(aDataset.mMeshLocalPrefix));
         Set(tlv);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_tlvs.hpp b/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_tlvs.hpp
index 070dd1884..73778f00d 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_tlvs.hpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_tlvs.hpp
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 #include "net/ip6_address.hpp"
 #include "radio/radio.hpp"
 #include "thread/key_manager.hpp"
+#include "thread/mle_types.hpp"
 
 namespace ot {
 namespace MeshCoP {
@@ -604,7 +605,7 @@ public:
      * @returns The Mesh Local Prefix value.
      *
      */
-    const otMeshLocalPrefix &GetMeshLocalPrefix(void) const { return mMeshLocalPrefix; }
+    const Mle::MeshLocalPrefix &GetMeshLocalPrefix(void) const { return mMeshLocalPrefix; }
 
     /**
      * This method sets the Mesh Local Prefix value.
@@ -612,10 +613,10 @@ public:
      * @param[in]  aMeshLocalPrefix  A pointer to the Mesh Local Prefix value.
      *
      */
-    void SetMeshLocalPrefix(const otMeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix) { mMeshLocalPrefix = aMeshLocalPrefix; }
+    void SetMeshLocalPrefix(const Mle::MeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix) { mMeshLocalPrefix = aMeshLocalPrefix; }
 
 private:
-    otMeshLocalPrefix mMeshLocalPrefix;
+    Mle::MeshLocalPrefix mMeshLocalPrefix;
 } OT_TOOL_PACKED_END;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/core/net/ip6_address.hpp b/src/core/net/ip6_address.hpp
index e3f42505c..27943a4b5 100644
--- a/src/core/net/ip6_address.hpp
+++ b/src/core/net/ip6_address.hpp
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 
 #include "common/string.hpp"
 #include "mac/mac_types.hpp"
+#include "thread/mle_types.hpp"
 
 namespace ot {
 namespace Ip6 {
@@ -77,8 +78,6 @@ public:
     {
         kInterfaceIdentifierSize = 8,  ///< Interface Identifier size in bytes.
         kIp6AddressStringSize    = 40, ///< Max buffer size in bytes to store an IPv6 address in string format.
-        kMeshLocalPrefixLength   = 64, ///< Length of Thread mesh local prefix.
-        kMeshLocalPrefixSize     = 8,  ///< Mesh local prefix size in bytes.
     };
 
     /**
@@ -282,6 +281,17 @@ public:
      */
     void SetPrefix(const uint8_t *aPrefix, uint8_t aPrefixLength);
 
+    /**
+     * This method sets the IPv6 address prefix to the given Mesh Local Prefix.
+     *
+     * @param[in]  aMeshLocalPrefix   A Mesh Local Prefix.
+     *
+     */
+    void SetPrefix(const Mle::MeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix)
+    {
+        SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix.m8, Mle::MeshLocalPrefix::kLength);
+    }
+
     /**
      * This method returns a pointer to the Interface Identifier.
      *
diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
index a66910207..895f5f4c6 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ Mle::Mle(Instance &aInstance)
     , mParentResponseCb(NULL)
     , mParentResponseCbContext(NULL)
 {
-    otMeshLocalPrefix meshLocalPrefix;
+    MeshLocalPrefix meshLocalPrefix;
 
     mParent.Init(aInstance);
     mParentCandidate.Init(aInstance);
@@ -158,10 +158,7 @@ Mle::Mle(Instance &aInstance)
 #endif
 
     // initialize Mesh Local Prefix
-    meshLocalPrefix.m8[0] = 0xfd;
-    memcpy(&meshLocalPrefix.m8[1], Get<Mac::Mac>().GetExtendedPanId().m8, 5);
-    meshLocalPrefix.m8[6] = 0x00;
-    meshLocalPrefix.m8[7] = 0x00;
+    meshLocalPrefix.SetFromExtendedPanId(Get<Mac::Mac>().GetExtendedPanId());
 
     // mesh-local 64
     mMeshLocal64.Clear();
@@ -897,13 +894,9 @@ void Mle::UpdateLinkLocalAddress(void)
     Get<Notifier>().Signal(OT_CHANGED_THREAD_LL_ADDR);
 }
 
-void Mle::SetMeshLocalPrefix(const otMeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix)
+void Mle::SetMeshLocalPrefix(const MeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix)
 {
-    if (memcmp(mMeshLocal64.GetAddress().mFields.m8, aMeshLocalPrefix.m8, sizeof(aMeshLocalPrefix)) == 0)
-    {
-        Get<Notifier>().SignalIfFirst(OT_CHANGED_THREAD_ML_ADDR);
-        ExitNow();
-    }
+    VerifyOrExit(GetMeshLocalPrefix() != aMeshLocalPrefix, Get<Notifier>().SignalIfFirst(OT_CHANGED_THREAD_ML_ADDR));
 
     if (Get<ThreadNetif>().IsUp())
     {
@@ -915,9 +908,9 @@ void Mle::SetMeshLocalPrefix(const otMeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix)
         Get<ThreadNetif>().UnsubscribeMulticast(mRealmLocalAllThreadNodes);
     }
 
-    mMeshLocal64.GetAddress().SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix.m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength);
-    mMeshLocal16.GetAddress().SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix.m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength);
-    mLeaderAloc.GetAddress().SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix.m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength);
+    mMeshLocal64.GetAddress().SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix);
+    mMeshLocal16.GetAddress().SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix);
+    mLeaderAloc.GetAddress().SetPrefix(aMeshLocalPrefix);
 
     // Just keep mesh local prefix if network interface is down
     VerifyOrExit(Get<ThreadNetif>().IsUp());
@@ -937,7 +930,7 @@ void Mle::ApplyMeshLocalPrefix(void)
         if (HostSwap16(mServiceAlocs[i].GetAddress().mFields.m16[7]) != Mac::kShortAddrInvalid)
         {
             Get<ThreadNetif>().RemoveUnicastAddress(mServiceAlocs[i]);
-            mServiceAlocs[i].GetAddress().SetPrefix(GetMeshLocalPrefix().m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength);
+            mServiceAlocs[i].GetAddress().SetPrefix(GetMeshLocalPrefix());
             Get<ThreadNetif>().AddUnicastAddress(mServiceAlocs[i]);
         }
     }
@@ -1033,7 +1026,7 @@ otError Mle::GetLeaderAddress(Ip6::Address &aAddress) const
 
     VerifyOrExit(GetRloc16() != Mac::kShortAddrInvalid, error = OT_ERROR_DETACHED);
 
-    aAddress.SetPrefix(GetMeshLocalPrefix().m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength);
+    aAddress.SetPrefix(GetMeshLocalPrefix());
     aAddress.mFields.m16[4] = HostSwap16(0x0000);
     aAddress.mFields.m16[5] = HostSwap16(0x00ff);
     aAddress.mFields.m16[6] = HostSwap16(0xfe00);
@@ -1062,7 +1055,7 @@ otError Mle::GetServiceAloc(uint8_t aServiceId, Ip6::Address &aAddress) const
 
     VerifyOrExit(GetRloc16() != Mac::kShortAddrInvalid, error = OT_ERROR_DETACHED);
 
-    aAddress.SetPrefix(GetMeshLocalPrefix().m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength);
+    aAddress.SetPrefix(GetMeshLocalPrefix());
     aAddress.mFields.m16[4] = HostSwap16(0x0000);
     aAddress.mFields.m16[5] = HostSwap16(0x00ff);
     aAddress.mFields.m16[6] = HostSwap16(0xfe00);
@@ -3971,7 +3964,7 @@ bool Mle::IsAnycastLocator(const Ip6::Address &aAddress) const
 
 bool Mle::IsMeshLocalAddress(const Ip6::Address &aAddress) const
 {
-    return aAddress.PrefixMatch(GetMeshLocal16()) >= Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength;
+    return aAddress.PrefixMatch(GetMeshLocal16()) >= MeshLocalPrefix::kLength;
 }
 
 otError Mle::CheckReachability(uint16_t aMeshSource, uint16_t aMeshDest, Ip6::Header &aIp6Header)
diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle.hpp b/src/core/thread/mle.hpp
index fae8d75e1..2386817a7 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle.hpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle.hpp
@@ -645,9 +645,9 @@ public:
      * @returns A reference to the Mesh Local Prefix.
      *
      */
-    const otMeshLocalPrefix &GetMeshLocalPrefix(void) const
+    const MeshLocalPrefix &GetMeshLocalPrefix(void) const
     {
-        return reinterpret_cast<const otMeshLocalPrefix &>(mMeshLocal16.GetAddress());
+        return reinterpret_cast<const MeshLocalPrefix &>(mMeshLocal16.GetAddress());
     }
 
     /**
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ public:
      * @param[in]  aMeshLocalPrefix  A reference to the Mesh Local Prefix.
      *
      */
-    void SetMeshLocalPrefix(const otMeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix);
+    void SetMeshLocalPrefix(const MeshLocalPrefix &aMeshLocalPrefix);
 
     /**
      * This method applies the Mesh Local Prefix.
diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle_types.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle_types.cpp
index 6bfa1beea..29a076796 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle_types.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle_types.cpp
@@ -62,5 +62,13 @@ DeviceMode::InfoString DeviceMode::ToString(void) const
                       IsFullNetworkData() ? "yes" : "no");
 }
 
+void MeshLocalPrefix::SetFromExtendedPanId(const Mac::ExtendedPanId &aExtendedPanId)
+{
+    m8[0] = 0xfd;
+    memcpy(&m8[1], aExtendedPanId.m8, 5);
+    m8[6] = 0x00;
+    m8[7] = 0x00;
+}
+
 } // namespace Mle
 } // namespace ot
diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle_types.hpp b/src/core/thread/mle_types.hpp
index 886b260b0..d96c345e5 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle_types.hpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle_types.hpp
@@ -36,12 +36,14 @@
 
 #include "openthread-core-config.h"
 
+#include <limits.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
 #include <openthread/thread.h>
 
 #include "common/string.hpp"
+#include "mac/mac_types.hpp"
 
 namespace ot {
 namespace Mle {
@@ -403,6 +405,52 @@ private:
     uint8_t mMode;
 };
 
+/**
+ * This class represents a Mesh Local Prefix.
+ *
+ */
+OT_TOOL_PACKED_BEGIN
+class MeshLocalPrefix : public otMeshLocalPrefix
+{
+public:
+    enum
+    {
+        kSize   = OT_MESH_LOCAL_PREFIX_SIZE,            ///< Size in bytes.
+        kLength = OT_MESH_LOCAL_PREFIX_SIZE * CHAR_BIT, ///< Length of Mesh Local Prefix in bits.
+    };
+
+    /**
+     * This method evaluates whether or not two Mesh Local Prefixes match.
+     *
+     * @param[in]  aOther  The Mesh Local Prefix to compare.
+     *
+     * @retval TRUE   If the Mesh Local Prefixes match.
+     * @retval FALSE  If the Mesh Local Prefixes do not match.
+     *
+     */
+    bool operator==(const MeshLocalPrefix &aOther) const { return memcmp(m8, aOther.m8, sizeof(*this)) == 0; }
+
+    /**
+     * This method evaluates whether or not two Mesh Local Prefixes match.
+     *
+     * @param[in]  aOther  The Mesh Local Prefix to compare.
+     *
+     * @retval TRUE   If the Mesh Local Prefixes do not match.
+     * @retval FALSE  If the Mesh Local Prefixes match.
+     *
+     */
+    bool operator!=(const MeshLocalPrefix &aOther) const { return !(*this == aOther); }
+
+    /**
+     * This method derives and sets the Mesh Local Prefix from an Extended PAN ID.
+     *
+     * @param[in] aExtendedPanId   An Extended PAN ID.
+     *
+     */
+    void SetFromExtendedPanId(const Mac::ExtendedPanId &aExtendedPanId);
+
+} OT_TOOL_PACKED_END;
+
 /**
  * This class represents the Thread Leader Data.
  *
diff --git a/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp b/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp
index 0402e73d9..13edc3760 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/network_data_local.cpp
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include "common/locator-getters.hpp"
 #include "common/logging.hpp"
 #include "mac/mac_types.hpp"
+#include "thread/mle_types.hpp"
 #include "thread/thread_netif.hpp"
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_BORDER_ROUTER_ENABLE || OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_TMF_NETDATA_SERVICE_ENABLE
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ otError Local::AddOnMeshPrefix(const uint8_t *aPrefix, uint8_t aPrefixLength, in
                  error = OT_ERROR_INVALID_ARGS);
 
     VerifyOrExit(Ip6::Address::PrefixMatch(aPrefix, Get<Mle::MleRouter>().GetMeshLocalPrefix().m8, prefixLengthBytes) <
-                     Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixLength,
+                     Mle::MeshLocalPrefix::kLength,
                  error = OT_ERROR_INVALID_ARGS);
 
     RemoveOnMeshPrefix(aPrefix, aPrefixLength);
diff --git a/src/core/thread/topology.cpp b/src/core/thread/topology.cpp
index 3218d01d2..0a02e72c1 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/topology.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/topology.cpp
@@ -152,8 +152,7 @@ otError Child::GetMeshLocalIp6Address(Ip6::Address &aAddress) const
 
     VerifyOrExit(!IsAllZero(mMeshLocalIid, sizeof(mMeshLocalIid)), error = OT_ERROR_NOT_FOUND);
 
-    memcpy(aAddress.mFields.m8, Get<Mle::MleRouter>().GetMeshLocalPrefix().m8, Ip6::Address::kMeshLocalPrefixSize);
-
+    aAddress.SetPrefix(Get<Mle::MleRouter>().GetMeshLocalPrefix());
     aAddress.SetIid(mMeshLocalIid);
 
 exit:
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_lowpan.cpp b/tests/unit/test_lowpan.cpp
index f95b3ae27..ef9b23f33 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_lowpan.cpp
+++ b/tests/unit/test_lowpan.cpp
@@ -106,10 +106,11 @@ void TestIphcVector::GetUncompressedStream(Message &aMessage)
  * This function initializes Thread Interface.
  *
  */
-static void Init()
+static void Init(void)
 {
     otMeshLocalPrefix meshLocalPrefix = {{0xfd, 0x00, 0xca, 0xfe, 0xfa, 0xce, 0x12, 0x34}};
-    sInstance->Get<Mle::MleRouter>().SetMeshLocalPrefix(meshLocalPrefix);
+
+    sInstance->Get<Mle::MleRouter>().SetMeshLocalPrefix(static_cast<Mle::MeshLocalPrefix &>(meshLocalPrefix));
 
     // Emulate global prefixes with contextes.
     uint8_t mockNetworkData[] = {