A printer cable is the data cable that links your printer to a computer or network. Today, almost every home and office printer uses a USB A-to-B cable, while network printers use a Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable.
Older machines relied on parallel and serial cables, which you'll still find on some label and receipt printers. The right cable to connect a printer to a computer depends on the ports on both devices and the distance between them. Below, you'll find each cable type, what to check before buying, and how to stretch a run when the printer sits across the room.
What is a Printer Cable?
A printer cable carries print jobs from your computer to the printer. It also sends status messages back, like "low ink" or "paper jam," so your computer can warn you before a job fails. The most common printer cable name is "USB A-to-B cable." It has a flat USB-A plug on the computer end and a square USB-B plug on the printer end.
Don't mix it up with the power cord. The printer power supply cable is a separate cord that plugs into the wall. Most printers use either a two-prong figure-8 cord (IEC C7) or a three-prong cord (IEC C13). Our guide to NEMA power cords explains the wall-plug side of things. Replace a damaged power cord with one of the same type and rating.
Printer Cable Types
Printers have used four main connections over the years. Parallel cables ruled the 1980s and '90s. Serial cables handled slow but steady jobs in shops and warehouses. USB took over around 2000, and Ethernet now connects shared office printers. Here's how the three classic cable types compare in practice.
1. USB Printer Cables
USB is the standard today. A computer-to-printer USB cable uses USB 2.0, which moves data at 480 Mbps. That's far more speed than any printer needs, even for large color photos.
There are a few USB cable types for printers. The classic is USB-A to USB-B. Newer laptops with only USB-C ports need a USB-C to USB-B cable instead. A handful of compact printers use Micro-USB or USB-C on the printer side.
The printer USB port is usually on the back, near the power socket. It's the square one with two slanted corners. If you see a blue insert, the port supports USB 3.0, but a regular USB 2.0 B cable will still fit and work.
2. Parallel Printer Cables
Parallel cables were the go-to connection before USB arrived. They send eight bits of data at the same time over eight separate wires. The computer end has a 25-pin DB-25 plug, and the printer end has a 36-pin Centronics plug with metal clips.
Back then, everyone just called it the printer wire. It follows the IEEE 1284 standard and tops out at about 2 MB/s. Runs longer than 10 feet often cause garbled prints. You'll mostly see these cables on old dot-matrix printers and lab equipment today. Most modern computers don't have a parallel port, so you'd need a USB-to-parallel adapter to use one.
3. Serial Printer Cables
Serial cables send data one bit at a time over an RS-232 connection. They usually use DB-9 or DB-25 plugs. They're slow, often 9,600 to 115,200 bits per second, but they're very stable over distance.
A serial PC to printer cable can run 50 feet or more at low speeds. That's why receipt printers, label printers, and barcode systems still use them. If your new computer has no serial port, a USB-to-serial adapter will fill the gap. Match the baud rate in the printer settings to the computer, or the printout will come out as random symbols.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Printer Cables
Grabbing any cable off the shelf works most of the time, but not every time. A printer-to-computer cable has to match your printer, your computer, and the space between them. These five factors decide which cable you should buy for your setup.
1. Printer Type
Start with how the printer will be used. A home inkjet that sits next to a laptop needs only a USB cable. A shared office laser printer works better on the network. In that case, an Ethernet cable links it to the router or switch, and everyone on the network can print. Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable handles printer traffic with ease. Large print shops often run both, with USB for setup and Ethernet for daily jobs.
2. Connection Type
Look at the ports on both ends before you buy. Most printers have a USB-B port, and many have an RJ45 Ethernet port as well. A USB connection for printer setup is the simplest option, since Windows and macOS install the driver on their own.
Network printing takes a few extra setup steps but frees you from the cable leash. Some printers also offer Wi-Fi, which is handy at home but less stable in crowded offices. A wired link is still the most reliable choice when uptime matters.
3. Length of the Cable
USB 2.0 has a limit of about 5 meters, or 16 feet. Go longer, and the computer may lose the printer halfway through a job. A 6- or 10-foot cable covers most desks. Leave a little slack so the plug doesn't pull out when you slide the printer to load paper. Ethernet can run 328 feet, so it's the better choice when the printer sits in another room. Wall-mounted Ethernet jacks also keep long cables off the floor, where people trip over them.
4. Quality of the Cable
Cheap cables often use thin wires and weak shielding. That leads to dropped connections and failed prints. A quality printer cord has thick copper conductors, molded strain relief, and gold-plated contacts.
Ferrite cores, the small cylinders near the plugs, also help block interference. It's a common support story. Someone spends an afternoon reinstalling drivers, and the real fix turns out to be a $9 shielded cable replacing a frayed one behind the desk.
5. Transfer Speed
Printers don't need huge speed. A 50-page document is only a few megabytes. USB 2.0 is plenty fast for that, so a basic USB for a printer cable does the job. Faster USB 3.0 only matters for high-volume scanners or large-format printers that move big files. If your printer runs slowly, the cause is almost always the print engine or the driver, not the cable.
Shielded vs. Unshielded Printer Cables: What the Difference Looks Like in Practice
Shielded cables wrap the wires in foil and braided metal to block outside noise. Unshielded cables skip that layer to save money. A shielded computer printer cord costs a bit more but holds up better near other electronics. Here's how the two compare in day-to-day use.
- Shielded cables cut interference from routers, monitors, power strips, and fluorescent lights.
- Unshielded cables work fine for short runs on a quiet desk at home.
- Shielded cables reduce random disconnects and half-printed pages in busy offices.
- Cables with ferrite cores add extra noise protection near both plugs.
- Shielded cables are slightly thicker and stiffer, so they need a wider bend behind furniture.
Buying Tips for Printer Cables
A little planning saves you a second trip to the store. Most printer problems that look like driver issues are really cable issues. Before you check out, confirm two things. The first is that the plugs match. The second is that the cable is long enough without being too long.
1. Confirm the Compatibility
Check the ports on both ends first. Many new laptops only have USB-C ports, so a standard printer cord to laptop setup needs a USB-C to USB-B cable or a small adapter. Check your printer's manual or the label on the back panel to confirm the port type.
Mac users should look for cables marked for USB-C if they have a recent MacBook. Older desktops with only USB-A ports can stay with the classic A-to-B cable. If you switch between a laptop and a desktop, a small USB-C to USB-A adapter lets one cable serve both.
2. Determine the Distance
Measure the actual path the cable will take, not just the straight-line gap. Add a foot or two for slack so the plugs aren't under tension. Keep USB runs under 16 feet, and avoid running the cable alongside power cords where it can pick up noise.
For longer distances, use a network connection or an active extension cable. Our guide to cable distance limits lists the limits for every common cable.
What is a USB Extension Cable?
A USB extension cable has a male USB-A plug on one end and a female USB-A socket on the other. It adds length to a cable you already own. Passive extensions only work if the total length stays under 5 meters. Active extensions include a small chip that boosts the signal, so they can reach 10 meters or more. A laptop to printer cord that's a few feet short is the classic reason people buy one.
How Do You Extend a USB Cable?
Sometimes the printer simply won't fit near the computer. A printer connection cable that's too short can still be extended without losing reliability. You just have to pick the right method for the distance. These options cover most homes and offices.
- Use an active USB extension cable for runs up to about 15 meters.
- Add a powered USB hub midway to refresh the signal on longer runs.
- Use a USB-over-Ethernet extender to reach 50 meters or more with Cat6 cable.
- Connect the printer to the network with an Ethernet cable and skip USB entirely.
- Switch on the printer's Wi-Fi if it has it and keep USB only as a backup.
Print Without Problems Using TS Cables
The right printer cable depends on your ports, your distance, and your setup. USB A-to-B covers most desks, while Ethernet suits shared printers. Choose shielded cables in busy spaces and keep USB runs short. Shop TS Cables for reliable USB, Ethernet, and computer printer USB cord options built for daily use.
FAQs
What cable do I need for my printer?
Most printers need a USB A-to-B cable. Laptops with only USB-C ports need a USB-C to USB-B cable. Network printers use Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet.
Can I use a phone charger cable for my printer?
In most cases, it won't work. Phone cables end in Micro-USB, USB-C, or Lightning plugs. Most printers have a square USB-B port that needs a dedicated printer cable.
Do printer cables come with the printer?
Many printers ship without a USB cable to cut costs. Check the box contents before setup so you can order the right cable in advance.
What is the maximum length for a USB printer cable?
A standard USB 2.0 printer cable works up to about 16 feet. Longer runs need an active extension cable, a powered hub, or a network connection.
Is an Ethernet connection better than USB for printers?
For shared printers, yes. Ethernet lets everyone on the network print and runs up to 328 feet. USB works best for one computer at one desk.
Further Reading
A printer cable is only one link in a well-wired office. Explore more TS Cables guides on power cords and network cabling. These are good places to start:
