A USB connector is the socket, port, or jack into which the plug end of a USB cable or USB-powered device is inserted. USB connectors are typically female, while the USB plug on the cable is male.
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Rectangular, slot-shaped USB type-A connectors are most common and can be found on computers, personal electronics, and peripherals. This includes keyboards and mice, mobile phones and chargers, memory sticks (flash drives), and other USB accessories.
There are currently several USB types in widespread use. However, USB connector types should not be confused with USB generations. Generation refers to the age and speed of the connector, while the type is defined by the shape of the port and the corresponding cables or plugs that can be used with it.
In the sections below, we will cover each of the main USB types (Type-A, Type-B etc), and then discuss the differences between connectors for older and newer USB generations (USB 2.0, 3.0 etc).
The most popular and common USB port type today is probably the USB Type-A, also known as Standard-A. USB A connections will be very familiar to most PC or laptop users as a rectangular slot of about 14mm wide by 6mm high.
Most computers will have several of these receptacles on the side, back or front of the case, allowing multiple external devices and peripherals to be attached via a cable. The USB Type-A connector is fully backwards compatible with all generations of USB Type-A plug, from 1.0 through to 3.2. The upcoming USB4 standard, officially announced in , relies on a differently shaped USB Type-C port.
Type-A USB plugs are held in the connectors by friction, with flat contacts at the terminals that slide together when a male plug is inserted into a female jack. They can only be inserted one way around, as the terminal block inside a Type-A connector is slightly off-centre.
They are mainly intended for use as a downstream USB connection to smaller devices. This allows peripherals and accessories requiring data or power delivery (up to 5V) to be plugged into a host controller or hub device that supplies it.
USB Type-B ports are roughly square, rather than being a narrow slot like Type-A. The upper corners of the square USB Type-B connector (and its corresponding USB-B plugs) are slightly angled. This means the receptacle will only accept a connection when the male part is orientated the right way up.
USB Type-B is primarily intended for use as an upstream connection. This means it is more often found on peripheral devices designed to connect directly to the host device, to send data to it. A typical example of somewhere you will often see a Type-B USB port is on an external hard drive dock (i.e. a powered hard drive enclosure).
USB Type-C connectors are one of the newest and fastest standards of USB type. Increasing numbers of the latest cutting-edge hardware devices are now being released with one or more USB Type-C ports already built in.
Unlike Type-A and Type-B connectors, female USB-C ports can accept a male USB-C plug inserted either way up, as the terminals at both port and plug are completely symmetrical. Type-C USB connectors can be used with adapters that allow the connection of various other USB types, and they are capable of transferring power and data to/from all previous generations of USB devices.
USB Type-C jacks are much smaller than Type-A or Type-B variants, but they can send data far more quickly than older models. With an upper-end throughput of up to 10 Gbps, USB-C cables and ports also support increased power delivery of up to 20V and 100W. This makes them ideal for rapid data offloading, as well as for fast charging of high-end modern peripherals via cable.
A Micro USB or Micro-B connector (more properly referred to as a Micro-USB B, per official USB-IF recognition) is a smaller sized version of the USB Mini-b. Both are physically reduced models of Micro USB connector.
They are commonly found on rechargeable technologies and smaller peripherals. Micro-USB B, being the smaller of the two, is often seen on newer devices, while the slightly bigger USB Mini-b is now less widely used.
Both mini USB and Micro USB are now technically deprecated. The mini doesn’t support USB gen 3.0 () or later, while the Micro retained support for USB gen 3.1 (), but not 3.2 (). However, you will still find these small connectors on devices that do not yet come with a Type-C port as standard.
Mini USB pinout is something you need to be aware of when plugging into either of these smaller USB ports. Whereas the USB connector pinout on other models will be the same for all connectors of that type, there exists both a 5-pin and a 4-pin version of USB Mini-b sockets.
Only the USB Mini-b 5-pin connector is officially recognised by the USB-IF, and unless otherwise specified, all USB Mini-b jacks are assumed to be 5-pin. Even so, a more compact 4-pin model is still used by several manufacturers, and by makers of some leading brand digital cameras.
It is relatively rare to find a 4-pin Mini-b connection in other device types. However, it does not belong to any single manufacturer. You can recognise the 4-pin USB connector quite easily, as it is roughly square, and closely resembles a very small USB Type-B port.
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USB 2.0 connectors refer to the generation, not the USB type. Most USB types will be compatible with all generations of USB standard, but newer gen ports will be faster.
USB 2.0 was a generational improvement that launched in and was later revised. It remained the latest and fastest USB standard available until when USB 3.0 arrived.
Data transfer speeds available via USB 2.0 are 1.5 Mbit/s (Low Speed), 12 Mbit/s (Full Speed), and 480 Mbit/s (High Speed). The maximum speeds you can achieve will depend largely on the capabilities of the devices you are connecting and the quality of the cable, plug and connector.
USB 3.0 launched in , superseding the previous USB 2.0 standard and offering speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s (SuperSpeed). It has since been updated twice, with USB 3.1 () offering transfer rates of up to 10 Gbit/s, and USB 3.2 () up to 20 Gbit/s (both designated as SuperSpeed+).
Available USB 3 connector types include 3.x A-Type, 3.x B-Type, and USB 3.x Micro B. There are no USB 3.0 Mini-b connectors, as the Mini-b standard only supports up to USB gen 2 signals.
It was announced in that USB 3 would not remain the latest standard for much longer, as products supporting USB 4 (officially written as USB4) began to launch in mid-. USB4 is based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol and supports tunnelling of DisplayPort and PCI Express, as well as a throughput of 20-40 Gbps.
With a wide variety of USB cables available, choosing the right one for your device can feel confusing. Whether you need a cable for charging, data transfer, or connecting to peripherals, each type of USB cable has unique specifications and compatibility factors. This guide will help you identify the right USB cable for your needs by covering the main aspects to consider.
USB cables come in several connector types, each designed to fit specific devices. Choosing the right cable starts with understanding which connector your device requires.
How to Identify Your Connector Type: Look at both your device’s port and the type of USB port it will connect to (such as your computer or charging adapter) to ensure the connectors match.
USB versions determine data transfer speed, power delivery capabilities, and compatibility. The following are common USB versions and their key features:
Tip: USB versions are backward compatible. However, using a higher version cable with an older USB port will limit performance to the port’s maximum speed and power.
Different use cases require different cable qualities and specifications. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right USB cable for your specific needs:
For charging, look for cables that support USB Power Delivery (PD) or Quick Charge if your device supports fast charging. Here’s what to consider:
For data transfer, especially with high-bandwidth needs, choose a cable based on the speed requirements:
If you need USB for video output, you’ll want a USB-C cable that supports Alternate Modes:
Note: Not all USB-C cables support video output, so check the specifications if you need video support.
Not all USB cables are created equal. High-quality cables provide better durability, data transmission, and charging speeds. Here’s what to look for:
Low-quality or counterfeit cables can damage your devices or pose safety hazards. Follow these tips to avoid them:
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