Anker
anker.com › home › blog center › cables › how to identify different usb types: a brief guide
USB Types Guide 2025: What Are They and What They Do? - Anker US
December 5, 2024 - In application, USB comes in different connector types, such as USB-A, USB-B, USB Mini, USB Micro, and USB-C. In this guide, we will walk you through the differences between those USB types and share useful tips when buying · USB cables.
ViewSonic
viewsonic.com › home › usb-c, usb-b, and usb-a: what’s the difference?
USB-C, USB-B, and USB-A: What's the Difference? - ViewSonic Library
1 week ago - USB has four major versions and three types. The version increments, from USB 1.0 through USB 4.0, primarily mark speed increases. For example, the original USB 1.0 had a data rate of 1.5 megabits per second up to 12 megabits per second in boost. The data rate has improved significantly over the years, with USB 3.2 offering 20 gigabits per second. The most recent USB4 (USB 4.0) specification provides up to 80 gigabits per second through USB-C cables.
What type of USB is this?
USB 2.0 Mini-B More on reddit.com
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April 11, 2025Different types of USB c and how they look
Nothing functionally different, simply a different latching mechanism. One might male a more solid connection that requires more force to remove than the other More on reddit.com
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May 3, 2025Ultimate USB chart
The extended version of this chart going into all of the various 'power delivery' mechanisms and backwards compatibility issues and state diagrams is five dimensional and contains colours that would melt mortal minds. More on reddit.com
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December 25, 2024Having trouble understanding the different usb cable standards i.e. 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 4.0
I think you are looking it wrong. USB cables can be classified by multiple criteria . I've listed below some of them copied from Wikipedia. Also, even there are other cables for specific needs, having all those needs covered by a single cable is very convenient, specially for people using mobile devices. For instance, I love taking my laptop from home to the office (and vice-versa) and by only plugin one single cable to my laptop, having my mouse, keyboard, microphone and screens working with the laptop, while also getting the laptop charged. I also love using that same cable to download photos from my phone or to recharge the battery of my tablet. USB cables by connector ( Compatibility table ) USB A USB Mini-A USB Micro-A USB B USB Mini-B USB Micro-B USB 3.0 Micro-B USB-C USB cables by power carrying capability Low-power SuperSpeed: 100 mA 5 V 0.50 W Low-power SuperSpeed: 150 mA 5 V 0.75 W USB 3.0 High-power: 500 mA 5 V 2.5 W High-power SuperSpeed: 900 mA 5 V 4.5 W USB 3.0 Multi-lane SuperSpeed: 1.5 A 5 V 7.5 W USB 3.2 Gen x2 Battery Charging 1.2: 1.5 A 5 V 7.5 W USB-C (multi-lane): 1.5 A 5 V 7.5 W USB-C (multi-lane): 3 A 5 V 15 W Power Delivery 1.0/2.0/3.0: 5 A 20 V 100 W Type-C Power Delivery 3.1: 5 A 48 V 240 W Type-C USB cables by data carrying capability USB 2.0: 480Mbp/s USB 3.2 Gen 1 single lane: 5 Gbit/s USB 3.2 Gen 1 dual lane: 10 Gbit/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 single lane: 10 Gbit/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 dual lane: 20 Gbit/s USB4 Gen 2 single lane: 10 Gbit/s USB4 Gen 2 dual lane: 20 Gbit/s USB4 Gen 3 single lane: 20 Gbit/s USB4 Gen 3 dual lane: 40 Gbit/s USB4 Gen 4 symmetric: 80 Gbit/s USB4 Gen 4 asymmetric: 120 Gbit/s USB cables by role Active: They include integrated circuits (chips) that boost or improve the signal (usually in order to make the signals go further on a longer cable than without that active component) Passive: They do not include any chip to boost the signal More on reddit.com
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August 21, 2023-- How Many Types of USB Cables Are There?
There are about 8 types of USB cables such as USB type-A, type-B, type-C, micro-A & B, lightning, and mini-A & B. However, not every USB cable is in active use today. For example, lots of micro-B cables which are widely seen in small items like speakers, microphones, etc, are upgrading to USB type-C cables to get a faster and safer transfer.
anker.com
anker.com › home › blog center › cables › how to identify different usb types: a brief guide
USB Types Guide 2025: What Are They and What They Do? - Anker US
-- Can I Use a 3.0 USB Cable With a 2.0 Device?
Yes! Every USB 3.0 cable is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices. So, a USB 3.0 cable can be used with a USB 2.0 device in a plug-and-play manner. But, remember that using a USB 3.0 cable with a USB 2.0 device provides data transfer speed up to the standards of USB 2.0 only.
anker.com
anker.com › home › blog center › cables › how to identify different usb types: a brief guide
USB Types Guide 2025: What Are They and What They Do? - Anker US
What is USB-C?
USB-C is the recent, compact, and reversible connector used on newer phones, laptops, and peripherals. Fully reversible and works in either orientation. Supports very high data rates and high power delivery (up to 240W with USB PD). Carries video and audio (DisplayPort Alt-Mode, HDMI Alt-Mode).
viewsonic.com
viewsonic.com › home › usb-c, usb-b, and usb-a: what’s the difference?
USB-C, USB-B, and USB-A: What's the Difference? - ViewSonic Library
Videos
07:18
USB Charging and Cables Explained: Safe and Simple - YouTube
18:59
Exciting History Of USB ~ Plus, How To Know Which Port To Use - ...
03:29
Every Types Of USB & Data Cable Explained Under 4 Minutes - YouTube
USB Cable Types: How to Identify and Use Different USB ...
05:13
USB Port Colors Explained — What Each One REALLY Means - YouTube
15:24
The Frustrating Reality of USB-C (and why it never works) - YouTube
Conwire
conwire.com › home › blog › usb cables 101 | a guide to usb connector types
USB Cables 101 • A Guide to USB Connector Types - Consolidated Electronic Wire and Cable
June 18, 2024 - Learn about the most common USB types, such as USB Type-A, Type-B, and Type-C, and the factors to consider when selecting your ideal USB connector type.
Samsung
samsung.com › home › product help & support › mobile device › what are the different types of usb cables, connectors & chargers
What are the different types of USB cables, connectors & chargers | Samsung UK
The cables and ports used by your smartphone and tablet will be either micro-USB or USB-C on one end, with a USB-A type on the other end. You can find out more about which type of USB your device uses.
Newnex
newnex.com › usb-connector-type-guide.php
USB Types and Connectors Guide | Newnex
It is a standard for connecting peripherals to computers or smart phones, allowing for data transfer video display and power delivery. There are several types of USB connectors, including USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, Micro-USB, and Mini-USB.
the connectors (plugs and receptacles) for USB communications protocols and power
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › USB_hardware
USB hardware - Wikipedia
3 days ago - USB 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 use two wires for power (VBUS and GND) and two wires for one differential signal of serial data. Mini and Micro connectors five contacts each, rather than the four of Standard connectors, with the additional contact, designated ...
C2G
cablestogo.com › cables › usb › c › c2g070400
Premium USB Cables | USB-A, USB-C, USB-B & Micro-USB
Runner Cables · Speaker Wire · USB Cables · VGA Cables · Cameras and Video · View All · Active USB Extension · Camera Extension · Camera Mounts · Codec & Camera Extension · Document Cameras · Fixed Cameras · HDMI Extension · Joysticks & Camera Controllers ·
VOLTA
voltacharger.com › home › blog › blog
The Most Comprehensive Guide to USB Cable Identification: Types, Versions, Applications, and Everything in Between
June 21, 2024 - With so many USB cables available, it's essential to know what to look for to ensure you get the right one for your needs. Here are some key factors to consider: Type and Version: Ensure the cable is the correct type (A, B, C, etc.) and version ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/usbchardware › what type of usb is this?
r/UsbCHardware on Reddit: What type of USB is this?
April 11, 2025 - Sick of all of these random USB-C cables everywhere.
CMD
cmd-ltd.com › advice-centre › usb-chargers-and-power-modules › usb-and-power-module-product-help › identifying-usb-connector
Identifying Your USB Connector and Cable Types | A Full Guide
September 19, 2023 - Although the USB type A connector is the most commonly used, type C is becoming more available. Find out how to identify USB connectors and cables here.
Top answer 1 of 7
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The USB-IF says all fully compliant USB 1.1 cables sold also meet the specifications for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (although low quality, non-compliant cables may not work at the higher speed).
USB 3.0 cables include nine pins (instead of just four for USB 2.0) and have a larger "B" (device) end that will not fit into USB 2.0 printers, scanners, etc. These cables seem to often have a blue color and/or an "SS" (SuperSpeed) marking next to the USB logo.
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This USB color table from Wikipedia shows how, in theory, you can use the color of the plastic inside the connector to tell different versions apart. (Realistically I've seen a lot of diversions from this, but frequently it is correct)
| Color | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Black or white | Ports and plugs | Type-A or type-B |
| Blue (Pantone 300C) | Ports and plugs | Type-A or type-B, SuperSpeed |
| Teal blue | Ports and plugs | Type-A or type-B, SuperSpeed+ |
| Green | Ports and plugs | Type-A or type-B, Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC) |
| Purple | Plugs only | Type-A or USB-C, Huawei SuperCharge |
| Yellow or red | Ports only | High-current or sleep-and-charge |
| Orange | Ports only | High-retention connector, mostly used on industrial hardware |
Moon Audio
moon-audio.com › home › expert advice › expert advice
USB Cables: How to Identify Which One You Need
July 4, 2024 - Over the years, USB has undergone several revisions, each bringing improvements in speed, power delivery, and functionality. As a result, we now have a plethora of USB cable types, such as USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, and more, each with its own unique ...
Adafruit
learn.adafruit.com › understanding-usb-type-c-cable-types-pitfalls-and-more › cable-types-and-differences
Cable Types and Differences | Understanding USB Type C: Cable Types, Pitfalls and More | Adafruit Learning System
A USB C cable with 3.1 Gen 2 capabilities vs one with 2.0 can mean a vast difference in data transfer. For example, two cable types transferring the same HD movie can take vastly different times:
Reddit
reddit.com › r/usbchardware › different types of usb c and how they look
r/UsbCHardware on Reddit: Different types of USB c and how they look
May 3, 2025 -
Hi guys, trying to do some research and not getting anywhere. What is the difference between the USB c cables shown in the picture? The one with 2 "pins" and the other ones have 3 "pins."
The one from the bottom is an Apple braided usb c cable, the middle I believe is an Apple cable but unsure. The last cable is a cable I got with a purchase of a portable monitor on Amazon (no brand).
How do I tell how good/safe/genuine a USB cable is? Thanks!
Top answer 1 of 5
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Nothing functionally different, simply a different latching mechanism. One might male a more solid connection that requires more force to remove than the other
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USB Type-C has a LOT more than 3 pins; the USB Type-C connector has 24 pins defined. I think you are only looking at the shielding / grounding tabs, not the actual connector pins (The white one has reflections of the actual pins further in). USB Type-C is just the connector spec, not the data spec. USB Type-C can be used with the following protocols: REQUIRED: 5V DC power transfer (up to about 1.5 Amps, so up to 7.5 Watts) REQUIRED: USB 2.0 data (up to 480Mbps). OPTIONAL: Higher Power Delivery (PD), which requires an e-mark chip internally to let the connected devices know the cable's power limits (so fires don't start). This allows for higher voltage and current to be transferred across the cable, currently up to 48V and up to 5 Amps (for a total maximum of 240 Watts) for the USB PD 3.1 standard OPTIONAL: SuperSpeed USB data lanes supporting more than 5Gbps (4 differential pairs). These data lanes can be dynamically assigned for many different purposes including USB 3.2 or USB 4 SuperSpeed data (from 5Gbps to 40Gbps), or optional protocols such as Display Port Alt-mode, HDMI Alt-mode, MHL Alt-Mode (for video signals), Thunderbolt signals (for multi-finciton devices which can be daisy-chained), and more.This is why USB Type-C connector standard is so common; it is very versatile and usable for many different purposes, all with a base minimum standard. This is why the USB Type-C connector is so popular; it is very versatile, with a common minimum capability. Unfortunately, manufactures also make "charge only" cables which do not include the USB 2.0 data lanes, and therefore violate the USB Type-C specification. These are often found in gas stations, dollar stores, and other cheap places, so be careful.
USBGear
usbgear.com › your-essential-guide-to-usb-cable-types.html
Your Essential Guide to USB Cable Types
USB type A is what most people think of when they picture a USB. It uses a rectangular connector and is widely used for flash drives, connectors, and charging cables. Most other types of USB connectors include a USB type A connector on one end.
RS
uk.rs-online.com › web › content › discovery › ideas-and-advice › usb-connectors-guide
A Complete Guide to USB Connectors
August 29, 2023 - USB connectors are typically female, while the USB plug on the cable is male. Rectangular, slot-shaped USB type-A connectors are most common and can be found on computers, personal electronics, and peripherals.
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-difference-between-USB-cables-marked-as-A-A-or-A-B-connectors
What is the difference between USB cables marked as A-A or A-B connectors? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): A cable with a USB-A connector on one end and a USB-B on the other is intended for connecting a peripheral such as a printer, that supplies its own power, rather than getting it via USB.
USB-IF
usb.org › cable_connector
Cables and Connectors | USB-IF
The USB-IF Cable Assembly and Connector certification program is available only to cables that are defined in the USB 2.0, USB 3.2 and USB Type-C® specifications.
Kingstec
kingstec.com › home › usb cable assembly: a manufacturer's guide to types, standards, and applications
USB Cable Assembly Manufacturing | Blog | Kingstec
November 14, 2024 - Learn about USB cable assembly manufacturing, including the uses, applications, and types: USB Type-A, USB Type-B, USB Type-C, Micro-USB, and Mini-USB.
Eaton
tripplite.eaton.com › products › usb-connectivity-types-standards
USB: Port Types and Speeds Compared | Eaton
A charging cable supporting USB 2.0 can be longer than USB 3.x and USB4 cables but is limited to a 480 Mbps data transfer rate and will not support alt-modes. The standard, universal connector found on virtually every desktop PC and older laptops, as well as TVs, game consoles and media players. Although USB 3.0 Type-A (blue) connectors have more internal pins, the form factor is the same, so it can operate in any Type-A port, even USB 1.1.