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USB port types explained, from USB-A to USB-C

They all say USB, but they do not all fit, and the ones that fit do not all run at the same speed. Here is every USB port type, drawn at its real size, with what each one is for.

Every USB connector, side by side

Six USB plugs drawn in 3D at the same scale: USB-A, USB-C, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, USB-B and USB 3.0 Micro-BUSB-AUSB-CMicro-USBMini-USBUSB-BUSB 3.0 Micro-B
All drawn to the same scale

USB-A

Speed
480 Mbps to 10 Gbps
Also called
Type-A, standard USB
Where you see it
Chargers, desktops, older laptops, flash drives
Plugs in
One way up
A USB-A plug and port drawn in 3D: the plug has a blue plastic insert with five extra contacts near the tip, and the port has a blue tongueBlue insert: USB 35 extra contactsFits one way up
USB-A with a blue insert (USB 3)
A USB-A plug and port drawn in 3D with black plastic inserts and four contactsBlack insert: USB 2.04 contactsBlack tongue in the port
USB-A with a black insert (USB 2.0)

The classic flat USB port: it only fits one way, and it is still on chargers, desktops, TVs and flash drives. Look at the plastic inside: black or white usually means USB 2.0, blue usually means USB 3 at 5 Gbps or faster.

USB-C

Speed
480 Mbps to 80 Gbps
Also called
Type-C
Where you see it
Phones, laptops, tablets, chargers, iPhone 15 and later
Plugs in
Either way up
A USB-C plug and port drawn in 3D: the oval plug has 12 gold contacts along each side of its slot, and the port has a thin tongue in the middleSame shape both ways up12 contacts a sideThin tongue in the middle

USB-C fits either way up and is on almost every new phone, laptop and charger. But it is only a shape: a USB-C port can run at anything from 480 Mbps to 80 Gbps, so check the marks next to it (below).

Micro-USB

Speed
Up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
Also called
Micro-B, micro USB
Where you see it
Older Android phones, Bluetooth speakers, power banks
Plugs in
One way up
A Micro-USB plug and port drawn in 3D: a thin plug with two angled corners and five contacts5 contactsAngled cornersWide side up

The charging port on Android phones before USB-C. Two angled corners mean it fits one way, and it runs at USB 2.0 speed.

USB 3.0 Micro-B

Speed
5 Gbps
Also called
USB 3 Micro-B
Where you see it
Portable hard drives, a few older phones
Plugs in
One way up
A USB 3.0 Micro-B plug and port drawn in 3D: a Micro-USB plug with a second, narrower block joined to its sideMicro-USB partExtra USB 3 partPort on a hard drive

The wide port on most portable hard drives. A normal Micro-USB cable fits the left half, but only at USB 2.0 speed.

Mini-USB

Speed
Up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
Also called
Mini-B
Where you see it
Older cameras and gadgets
Plugs in
One way up
A Mini-USB plug and port drawn in 3D: thicker than Micro-USB, with two angled corners and five contacts5 contactsThicker, angled cornersMini-USB port

Older and thicker than Micro-USB. Today you mostly see it on older cameras and gadgets.

USB-B

Speed
480 Mbps (USB 2.0), 5 Gbps (USB 3.0)
Also called
Type-B, printer cable
Where you see it
Printers, scanners, audio interfaces, docks
Plugs in
One way up
A USB-B plug and port drawn in 3D: a nearly square plug with its two top corners cut offTwo corners cut offContacts insidePort on a printer

The square printer plug, so you can never connect two computers by mistake. A USB 3.0 version adds a block on top for 5 Gbps.

How to tell USB ports apart on your laptop

The edge of a closed laptop drawn in 3D with four ports: a USB-C port with a lightning bolt beside it, a plain USB-C port, a blue USB-A port with an SS mark, and a black USB-A portThunderboltUSB-CBlue USB-ABlack USB-A
What you seeWhat it means
Lightning bolt next to USB-CThunderbolt: 40 Gbps or faster, docks and displays
Plain USB-CAnything from 480 Mbps to 80 Gbps, check the spec sheet
Blue insert or SS logoUsually USB 3, 5 Gbps or faster
SS10 logo10 Gbps
Black or white insertUsually USB 2.0, 480 Mbps
Red, orange or yellow insert, or a battery iconKeeps charging while the laptop sleeps or is off

USB speeds, in plain numbers

  1. USB 2.0480 MbpsAbout 14 min
  2. USB 5Gbps5 GbpsAbout 1 min
  3. USB 10Gbps10 Gbps40 s
  4. USB 20Gbps20 Gbps20 s
  5. USB 40Gbps40 Gbps10 s
  6. USB 80Gbps80 Gbps5 s
Time to copy a 50 GB file at each speed, best case
Name on the boxAlso sold asTop speedConnector
USB 1.1Full Speed12 MbpsUSB-A, USB-B
USB 2.0Hi-Speed480 MbpsAll of them
USB 5GbpsUSB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 15 GbpsUSB-A, USB-C, USB-B, Micro-B
USB 10GbpsUSB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 210 GbpsUSB-A, USB-C
USB 20GbpsUSB 3.2 Gen 2x220 GbpsUSB-C only
USB 40GbpsUSB4 (40 Gbps)40 GbpsUSB-C only
USB 80GbpsUSB4 Version 2.080 GbpsUSB-C only
Thunderbolt 3 and 440 GbpsUSB-C only
Thunderbolt 580 Gbps, up to 120 GbpsUSB-C only

USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.2 Gen 1 are the same 5 Gbps. That is why newer boxes just print the speed, like USB 10Gbps.

How much power a USB port gives

  1. USB 2.0 portEarbuds, slowly2.5 W
  2. USB 3 portA slow phone charge4.5 W
  3. USB-C (3 A)Phones15 W
  4. Power DeliveryMost laptops100 W
  5. Power Delivery EPRGaming laptops240 W
Most power each kind of port or charger can deliver

Above 60 W you also need a cable rated for it. Certified USB-C cables are marked 60W or 240W, so for a laptop, get a 240W one.

USB port types compared

ConnectorPlug sizeReversibleTop speedWhere you see it
USB-A12 x 4.5 mmNoUp to 10 GbpsChargers, PCs, flash drives
USB-C8.25 x 2.4 mmYesUp to 80 GbpsPhones, laptops, chargers
Micro-USB6.85 x 1.8 mmNo480 MbpsOlder phones, speakers
USB 3.0 Micro-B12.2 x 1.8 mmNo5 GbpsPortable hard drives
Mini-USBAbout 7 x 3 mmNo480 MbpsOlder cameras
USB-B8 x 7.25 mmNo480 Mbps or 5 GbpsPrinters, audio gear

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