Ethernet Cable Guide: Speed, Distance and What to Use Where
Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A, Cat7 and Cat8 compared by the numbers that matter on a job — rated speed, maximum distance, bandwidth, shielding and PoE — with a recommendation for each kind of install.
For most new installs choose Cat6A: it carries 10 Gbps the full 100 m and has headroom for multi-gig Wi-Fi access points and PoE. Use Cat6 for 1–5 Gbps runs on a budget, Cat5e only to match existing 1 Gbps plant, and Cat8 only for short (≤30 m) switch-to-server links in a data center.
Quick pick: which cable should I buy?
Cat6 UTP Booted. Handles gigabit and 2.5 Gbps internet, and the booted plug stands up to being unplugged and moved. Lengths from 0.5 to 200 ft.
Cat6 UTP Booted, in a color per department if you like. Every color costs the same.
Cat6A UTP Booted. 10 Gbps over the full 100 m channel, with headroom for PoE.
Cat6A Slim. Thinner cords keep airflow and bend radius under control where many ports meet.
Cat6 S/FTP Industrial Outdoor, with waterproof couplers at the connection points.
How long? Measure along the route the cable will actually follow (around furniture and along the wall, not straight across the room) and add 1 to 2 ft of slack.
Speed and distance by category
| Category | Rated bandwidth | 1 Gbps | 2.5 / 5 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 25 / 40 Gbps | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | 100 MHz | 100 m | 2.5G: 100 m5G not guaranteed | — | — | TIA-568.2-D |
| Cat6 | 250 MHz | 100 m | 100 m | up to 55 m37–55 m depending on alien crosstalk | — | TIA-568.2-D |
| Cat6A | 500 MHz | 100 m | 100 m | 100 m | — | TIA-568.2-D |
| Cat7 | 600 MHz | 100 m | 100 m | 100 m | — | ISO/IEC Class Fnot a TIA category |
| Cat8 | 2000 MHz | —overkill | — | 30 m | 30 m | TIA-568.2-D |
Distances are for a full channel (cable plus patch cords). "Rated bandwidth" is the frequency the standard tests to; many cables, ours included, are tested beyond it. Real-world speed is set by the slowest device and port on the link, not by the cable alone.
What to use where
| Job | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Home or office desk, 1 Gbps internet | Cat6 booted | Costs about the same as Cat5e and leaves room for 2.5 Gbps. |
| Wi-Fi 6E / 7 access points | Cat6A | AP uplinks are moving to 2.5–10 Gbps and most APs are PoE-powered; Cat6A handles both at 100 m. |
| 10 Gbps NAS, servers, workstations | Cat6A booted | The only twisted-pair category that guarantees 10 Gbps at 100 m. |
| Dense patch panels and racks | Cat6A Slim (28AWG) or Super Slim | Thinner cords improve airflow and bend radius where hundreds of ports meet. |
| Top-of-rack switch to server, under 30 m | Cat8 | 25/40GBASE-T over copper on very short links. |
| PoE cameras, near motors or fluorescent ballasts | Cat6 shielded | Foil shielding rejects electrical noise — bond the shield at both ends. |
| Outdoor or washdown areas | Cat6 S/FTP outdoor + waterproof couplers | UV- and moisture-resistant jacket and sealed connections. |
| Exposed, crush or rodent risk | Cat6A Armored | Armor jacket protects long exposed runs. |
| Under carpet or a door | Cat6 flat | Low profile for short room-to-room runs. |
Shielded or unshielded?
The default for offices and homes. Easier to terminate, no grounding needed.
One foil around all pairs. Use near motors, ballasts and parallel power runs.
Best noise rejection for industrial and outdoor work. The shield must be bonded end to end or it can do more harm than good.
Slim 28AWG and 32AWG patch cords
TIA-568.2-D allows 28AWG patch cords. Thinner conductors have more loss, so the standard shortens the maximum channel length when they are used — keep slim cords to patching inside racks, closets and desks, not long horizontal runs. For high-power PoE (802.3bt, up to 90 W at the switch) in large bundles, thicker 23–24AWG cable runs cooler.
PoE at a glance
| Standard | Power at the switch | Typical devices | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 802.3af (PoE) | 15.4 W | Phones, basic cameras | Cat5e or better |
| 802.3at (PoE+) | 30 W | Fixed IP cameras, Wi-Fi 6 APs | Cat5e or better |
| 802.3bt Type 3 | 60 W | Wi-Fi 6E/7 APs, displays | Cat6 / Cat6A |
| 802.3bt Type 4 | 90 W | PTZ cameras, lighting, thin clients | Cat6A, 23–24AWG preferred in bundles |
A note on Cat7
Cat7 is an ISO/IEC class, not a TIA category, and its full Class F rating assumes GG45 or TERA connectors. Cat7 cable terminated with RJ45 plugs performs like a well-shielded Cat6A. Choose it when you want S/FTP construction, not for extra speed.
Booted vs non-booted
Booted cords protect the latch and add strain relief — best for general patching and anything that gets moved. Non-booted cords have a smaller footprint so adjacent ports seat easily in high-density panels.
Need a length or color we don't list?
We build custom cable assemblies in every category and shielding type above.