How to Tell if a USB Cable Supports Hi Speed & Fast Charging

PDF download Download Article
Find out the speed of your USB cable in seconds
PDF download Download Article

Do you need a high-speed USB cable? Are you having a tough time telling if a USB cable you own or are thinking of purchasing supports high-speed data or fast charging? Faster USB standards allow you to transfer data faster as well as charge your phone battery much quicker. You can usually tell whether your USB cable supports high speed or superspeed by looking at the cable and connector. This wikiHow article will show you how to tell if your USB cable is a high-speed USB cable.

How to Check USB Cable Speed

  • USB 2.0 cables are the first Hi Speed USB cables.
  • USB 3.0 is SuperSpeed, and USB 3.1 and 3.2 are SuperSpeed+ (SuperSpeed Plus).
  • Most cables have colored tabs inside the connectors that denote speed. Black is Hi Speed, blue is SuperSpeed, and teal and red are SuperSpeed+.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Over the years, USB standards have evolved from regular speed to Hi Speed, and now to SuperSpeed. The different USB standards are as follows: [1]
    • USB 1.0: This is the oldest USB standard. USB 1.0 cables are capable of data transfer speeds of up to 12 Mbps (Megabits per second). This is not fast enough to use as a video cable connection. USB 1.0 carries an electrical current of 5 volts (V), 0.5 amps (A), and a max power of 2.5 watts (W), which is not enough power to support fast charging.
    • USB 2.0: USB 2.0 was the first 'hi-speed' USB standard. They are capable of data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps. This is faster than USB 1.0 but still not fast enough to use as a video cable connection. USB 2.0 has the same power output as USB 1.0 and does not support fast charging.
    • USB 3.0: USB 3.0 is the first "SuperSpeed" USB standard. It can have a data transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps (Gigabits per second), which is fast enough to use as a video cable. Like USB 2.0, they deliver a power output of 5V, but unlike USB 2.0, they can deliver nearly double the watts (4.5W) and amps (0.9A) of a normal USB 2.0 cable. This means it may be able to charge a little faster than a USB 2.0 cable, but is still not considered a fast-charging cable.
    • USB 3.1: USB 3.1 is the first "SuperSpeed+" (SuperSpeed Plus) USB standard. USB 3.1 cables are capable of data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps and are capable of video transfer . These fast-charging cables have a power output of between 5V and 48V, between 0.5A and 0.9A, and up to 240W.
    • USB 3.2: USB 3.2 is also a "SuperSpeed+" standard. USB 3.2 is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps. This is fast enough to use as a video cable connection and charge devices, having the same power output as USB 3.1.
    • USB 4.0: USB 4.0 is the latest standard. USB 4.0 is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. This is more than enough speed to use for video as well as charging. They have the same power output as USB 3.1 and 3.2.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The male connector is the metal plug that plugs into a USB port. There are a variety of male connectors used in USB cables. The following are the different types of USB male connectors:
    • USB Type-A: USB Type-A is the most common male connector on a USB cable. They may be used on USB 1.0 up to USB 3.2. They have rectangle-shaped (12mm x 4.5mm) metal plugs. Cables with this type of connector may be capable of fast charging, but they usually aren't as fast as USB Type-C connectors.
    • USB Type-B: USB Type-B connectors are somewhat obsolete. They are most commonly used on older PC accessories, like printers . They have an 8mm square-shaped metal plug with notched corners on the top and can be used with USB 1.0 and 2.0. There is also a USB 3.0 configuration that is a little bit taller (8mm x 10.45mm). These cable types usually aren't capable of fast charging.
    • USB Type-C: USB Type-C is one of the newest standards for USB cables. They have a thin, oval-shaped metal connector (8.24mm x 2.4mm). They support all USB standards. Some USB cables have a USB Type-A plug on one end and a USB Type-C on the other. Apple cables may have a USB Type-C on one end and a Lightning connection type on the other. These cables are fast, but the fastest cables have a USB Type-C on both ends, a USB Type-C on one end, and a Lightning connection on the other.
    • USB Mini: USB Mini is an older standard that isn't used on as many newer devices. They have a small rectangle-shaped metal plug (6.75mm x 3.0mm) with notched corners on the bottom. USB Mini plugs can be used with USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 cables. They are not capable of fast data transfer or fast charging.
    • Micro USB: Micro USB connectors are also rectangle-shaped with notched corners on the bottom. They are much thinner than USB Mini connectors (6.85mm x 1.8mm). They are most commonly used on Android devices that are slightly older. The standard Micro USB connector supports USB 2.0, while the extended 12.25mm x 1.8mm Micro USB plug supports USB 3.0.
    • Lightning: Lightning connectors are most commonly used with Apple devices . They support nearly all USB standards and are generally capable of fast charging. They have a square-shaped (6.7mm x 6.7mm) solid metal plug with 8 metal pins on the tip.
    • Thunderbolt 3: Thunderbolt 3 cables are also most commonly used with Apple devices. They support all the latest USB standards and are capable of fast charging. They have the exact same plug as USB Type-C. Thunderbolt 3 cables usually have a lightning bolt icon on them.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Since Type-A connectors are the most common type of USB connectors used across various standards, it can be hard to tell what type of USB cable you have. Most USB cable manufacturers use a color-coding system to distinguish which USB standard the cable is using. Check the color of the plastic piece inside the metal plug to see what type of USB cable you are using. [2]
    • White: USB 1.0 (Data speed up to 12 Mbps, power output: 5V, 0.5A, 2.5W).
    • Black: USB 2.0 (Data speed up to 480 Mbps, power output: 5V, 0.5A, 2.5W).
    • Blue: USB 3.0 (Data speed up to 5 Gbps, power output: 5V, 0.5-0.9A 4.5W).
    • Teal: USB 3.1 (Data speed up to 10 Gbps, power output: 5-48V, 0.5-5A, up to 240W).
    • Red: USB 3.2 (Data speed up to 20 Gbps, power output: 5-48V, 0.5-5A, up to 240W).
    • Yellow: High Power USB 2.0 and 3.0 (fast charging).
    • Orange: Charge-only USB 3.0
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The symbol for USB resembles three wires connected in a fork-like shape. Some cables have a symbol on a USB cable as well as next to USB ports. USB 3.0 and above usually have the "SS" for SuperSpeed in the USB symbol. They may also have the number "5," "10," "20," or "40" to indicate how many Gbps the cable is capable of transferring.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Several quick charging protocols have been adopted by assorted brands. The industry standard is USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). Other protocols include Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC), Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging, and Motorola Rapid Charging. These protocols can have a power output of at least 60 watts, which means they can quickly charge most cell phones and tablets.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Even if a USB cable supports quick charging, it may not be enough for all devices. A standard USB Type-C to Type-C cable is capable of power delivery of 60 watts. This is enough for most cell phones or tablets. However, a laptop may require more power delivery. For this, you will need a USB cable that has a power delivery rating of 100 watts. [3]
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's not just USB cables you need to be worried about. USB ports can also have varying degrees of power output and data transfer rates. USB Type-C ports on a laptop may have varying degrees of data transfer speeds and power delivery. Check the specifications on the device a USB port is connected to see if it's capable of fast charging or fast data transfer.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you still have the package the cable came in, or you are buying a cable, check how much amperage the cable supports on the package. A normal USB cable carries about 0.5 amps. A fast-charging USB cable carries at least 2 amps or more.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-USB-Cable-Supports-High-Speed-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Since fast-charging cables carry a strong electrical current, the wires need to be thicker. If you have nothing else to go by, check the thickness of the cable. If it is thicker than a normal USB cable, it may be a fast-charging cable.
    10. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Check if a Hard Drive is an SSD or HDD on a Windows PC
      How to
      Clean Drive C for More Space
      How to
      Install a Hard Drive: HDD, SSD, and M.2
      How to
      Destroy a Hard Drive
      How to
      Reformat an External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac
      How to
      Check Free Hard Disc Space on PCs, Macs, iPhones & Androids
      How to
      Remove a Hard Drive
      How to
      Recover Data from the Hard Drive of a Dead Laptop
      How to
      Convert an Internal Hard Drive to External Via HD Enclosure
      How to
      Recover a Dead Hard Disk
      How to
      Open a Seagate External Hard Drive
      How to
      Unpartition a Hard Drive
      How to
      Find out the Size of a Hard Drive
      How to
      Remove a Hard Drive from a Laptop: Step-by-Step
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about troubleshooting computers, check out our in-depth interview with Brandon Phipps .

      References

      1. ↑ https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/usb-cable-guide
      2. ↑ https://www.tripplite.com/products/usb-connectivity-types-standards
      3. ↑ https://www.tripplite.com/products/usb-charging

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Check to see if the plastic inside the USB Type-A plug is blue or teal.
      2. Check if the USB cable uses a USB Type-C on both ends.
      3. Check if the USB cable uses a USB Type-C and a Lightning plug on the other end.
      4, Check if a USB cable supports USB-PD, Qualcomm Quick Charge, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging, or Motorola Rapid Charging.
      5. Check if the USB icon on the cable says "SS," "5," "10," "20," or "40."
      6. Check the package label to see if the USB cable can carry at least 2 amps.
      7. Check if the wires are thicker than normal.
      8. Make sure the port the cable is connected to supports fast charging and/or fast data transfer rates.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 120,294 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement