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USB-C Cable Cheat Sheet
Decode any USB-C cable: speed, wattage, video and the logos that tell them apart.
Every USB-C cable has the same plug, but inside they differ in two ways: how much data they carry, and how much power. Video needs a high-speed cable.
Data speed
| Label you’ll see | Speed | Carries video? | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 / “charging cable” | 480 Mbps | No | Charging, phones, keyboards |
| USB 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1) | 5 Gbps | Yes (DP Alt Mode) | Hubs, drives, monitors |
| USB 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2) | 10 Gbps | Yes | Fast SSDs, hubs |
| USB 20Gbps (Gen 2x2) | 20 Gbps | Yes | 2x2 SSD enclosures |
| USB4 40Gbps / Thunderbolt 4 | 40 Gbps | Yes | Docks, NVMe, displays |
| USB4 80Gbps / Thunderbolt 5 | 80 Gbps (120 one-way) | Yes | TB5 docks, 8K displays |
Power
| Rating | What’s inside | Enough for |
|---|---|---|
| 60W (3A) | Standard cable, no e-marker needed | Phones, tablets, MacBook Air, small laptops |
| 100W (5A) | E-marker chip required | Most laptops, 96W MacBook Pro chargers |
| 240W (EPR, 48V) | EPR e-marker, USB PD 3.1 | 140W MacBook Pro fast charge, gaming laptops |
Five rules that save money
- A charging cable that came with a phone is usually USB 2.0: no video, slow data.
- For a monitor or dock, you need a 5Gbps-or-faster cable (or the one that came with it).
- Over 60W needs an e-marked cable; 140W+ needs 240W (EPR).
- Full-speed 40/80Gbps passive cables are usually short (about 1m or less); longer ones are often active.
- Look for the USB-IF logos that print the speed and wattage right on the plug, e.g. “40Gbps · 240W”.
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