Identify Your Connector
Click the shape that matches your cable or port.
USB-C
USB Type-C
The modern universal connector. Small, reversible, and capable of high speeds and power delivery. Found on most new devices.
✓ Common Devices
- • Modern smartphones (Android)
- • MacBooks & newer laptops
- • Nintendo Switch
- • Tablets
- • External SSDs
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Capabilities vary wildly by cable
- • Same connector can be USB 2.0 or USB4
- • Not all cables support video or fast charging
USB-A
USB Standard-A
The classic rectangular USB connector. Non-reversible (there's always a "right way"). Still ubiquitous on computers and chargers.
✓ Common Devices
- • Desktop computers
- • Laptops (host ports)
- • Wall chargers
- • USB hubs
- • Flash drives
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Not reversible
- • Max speed is 10 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2)
- • Being phased out in favor of USB-C
USB-B
USB Standard-B
The square-ish connector with beveled top corners. Often called "printer USB" but used on many peripherals.
✓ Common Devices
- • Printers
- • Scanners
- • Audio interfaces
- • MIDI controllers
- • Older external drives
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Large and bulky
- • USB 3.0 variant looks different
- • Being replaced by USB-C
Micro USB
USB Micro-B
The small, flat, trapezoidal connector. Was standard on Android phones before USB-C. Still common on budget devices.
✓ Common Devices
- • Older Android phones
- • Kindle e-readers
- • Bluetooth speakers
- • PS4 controllers
- • Portable chargers
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Not reversible
- • Fragile connector
- • Max USB 2.0 speed (480 Mbps) for standard version
- • Some cables are charge-only
Mini USB
USB Mini-B
The older, taller small connector. Largely obsolete but still found on some older devices. Thicker than Micro USB.
✓ Common Devices
- • PS3 controllers
- • Older cameras
- • TI calculators
- • Old GPS units
- • Older GoPros
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Deprecated since 2007
- • No USB 3.0 variant exists
- • Less durable than Micro USB
- • Cables getting hard to find
Lightning
Apple Lightning
Apple's proprietary 8-pin connector. Reversible and compact. Being phased out in favor of USB-C on newer Apple devices.
✓ Common Devices
- • iPhones (before iPhone 15)
- • iPads (older models)
- • AirPods
- • Magic Keyboard/Mouse/Trackpad
- • Apple TV remotes
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Apple proprietary (requires MFi licensing)
- • Max USB 2.0 speed (480 Mbps)
- • Being replaced by USB-C
- • Cables must be certified
HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface
The standard for TVs and monitors. Carries both video and audio. Different versions support different resolutions and refresh rates.
✓ Common Devices
- • TVs
- • Monitors
- • Gaming consoles
- • Blu-ray players
- • Streaming devices
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Version matters (HDMI 2.1 vs 2.0 vs 1.4)
- • Cable certification affects bandwidth
- • Standard cables max out at 10m
DisplayPort
DisplayPort
High-performance video connector common on PC monitors and graphics cards. Supports daisy-chaining and higher refresh rates than HDMI.
✓ Common Devices
- • PC monitors
- • Graphics cards
- • Laptops
- • Docking stations
- • Professional displays
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Less common on TVs
- • Locking mechanism can break
- • Version determines max resolution/refresh
DVI
Digital Visual Interface
Legacy digital video connector with a wide rectangular shape. Being replaced by HDMI and DisplayPort but still found on older equipment.
✓ Common Devices
- • Older monitors
- • Desktop graphics cards
- • Projectors
- • KVM switches
- • Legacy equipment
⚠ Watch Out For
- • No audio support
- • Large and bulky
- • Max 2560x1600 (dual-link)
- • Being phased out
VGA
Video Graphics Array
The classic analog video connector with 15 pins in a D-shape. Largely obsolete but still found on projectors and legacy equipment.
✓ Common Devices
- • Projectors
- • Older monitors
- • Legacy computers
- • Some KVM switches
- • Industrial equipment
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Analog only (no digital)
- • No audio
- • Max 2048x1536 (degraded quality)
- • Susceptible to interference
3.5mm
3.5mm TRS/TRRS Jack
The ubiquitous headphone jack. TRS (3 segments) for stereo, TRRS (4 segments) adds a microphone channel.
✓ Common Devices
- • Headphones
- • Earbuds
- • Portable speakers
- • Car aux inputs
- • Laptops and phones
⚠ Watch Out For
- • TRS vs TRRS compatibility issues
- • Analog signal degrades over distance
- • Being removed from phones
- • No power delivery
6.35mm
6.35mm (1/4") TRS Jack
The professional audio jack, also called quarter-inch. Standard on instruments, amplifiers, and studio equipment.
✓ Common Devices
- • Electric guitars
- • Studio headphones
- • Amplifiers
- • Mixing consoles
- • Synthesizers
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Too large for portable devices
- • Unbalanced cables pick up interference
- • TS vs TRS compatibility varies
XLR
XLR Connector
Professional balanced audio connector. The circular 3-pin design is standard for microphones and pro audio equipment.
✓ Common Devices
- • Microphones
- • PA systems
- • Studio monitors
- • Audio interfaces
- • DMX lighting
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Large connector size
- • Overkill for consumer use
- • Requires balanced equipment for full benefit
RCA
RCA Connector
The colored circular connectors (red/white for audio, yellow for video). Common on home audio and legacy video equipment.
✓ Common Devices
- • Home stereos
- • Turntables
- • Older TVs
- • DVD players
- • Subwoofers
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Unbalanced (susceptible to noise)
- • No locking mechanism
- • Separate cable per channel
- • Being replaced by HDMI/optical
Optical
TOSLINK / Optical S/PDIF
Digital audio over fiber optic cable. The square connector with a rounded top carries audio as light pulses.
✓ Common Devices
- • Soundbars
- • AV receivers
- • Game consoles
- • TVs
- • CD/DVD players
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Fragile fiber cable
- • No Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support
- • Max 5.1 surround (compressed)
- • Short max cable length
Barrel Jack
DC Barrel Connector
Coaxial DC power connector common on electronics. The outer diameter and inner pin size vary, so matching is critical.
✓ Common Devices
- • Routers/modems
- • Laptop chargers (older)
- • LED strips
- • Arduino/electronics
- • Small appliances
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Many incompatible sizes
- • No standard pinout
- • Polarity varies (check before connecting)
- • No data capability
IEC-60320
IEC 60320 Power Connectors
The standard power connectors for computers and appliances. C13/C14 (3-prong) for computers, C5/C6 (cloverleaf) for laptops.
✓ Common Devices
- • Desktop computers
- • Monitors
- • Servers
- • Laptop power bricks
- • Network equipment
⚠ Watch Out For
- • Different variants not interchangeable
- • Country-specific wall plug needed
- • Voltage/amperage ratings vary
NEMA
NEMA Power Plugs
North American power plug standards. NEMA 5-15 is the standard 3-prong outlet, 1-15 is the 2-prong ungrounded version.
✓ Common Devices
- • All US/Canada appliances
- • Power strips
- • Extension cords
- • Wall outlets
- • UPS units
⚠ Watch Out For
- • North America only
- • 120V standard (not universal)
- • Grounding third prong often bypassed unsafely
Click a connector above to learn more about it
Quick Tips
Here are some quick ways to identify common connectors:
- • USB-C is small and reversible. Works either way you plug it in.
- • HDMI is trapezoidal (wider on top). The standard for TVs and monitors.
- • DisplayPort looks like HDMI but has one corner cut off.
- • 3.5mm jack is the classic headphone plug with visible rings.
- • XLR is circular with 3 pins. Standard for professional microphones.