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Which network cable do I need?

Enter the speed you want, how long the cable has to be and whether it runs indoors or outdoors. You see which category is enough and the cheapest cables that are long enough.

Which speed do you want?
The speed your router, switch or network card can handle. If in doubt, choose 1 Gbit/s: that is the usual speed.
3.0 m
Measure the route along the wall, not in a straight line, and add half a metre.
Where does the cable run?

1 Gbit/s over 3.0 m: Cat5e is enough

Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) runs on Cat5e up to 100 metres, so a higher category is not needed for 1 Gbit/s. For a loose patch cord Cat6 often costs only a few euros more than Cat5e and is then a fine choice; Cat6a is usually clearly more expensive. Mind the speed of your devices: the link is never faster than its weakest part. The list shows Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a, cheapest first.

Cheapest with enough
€3.50
With a price in the comparison
3,777

These fit your result

See everything in the list

  1. 3 mLength

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  2. 3 mLength

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  3. 5 mLength

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  4. 5 mLength

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  5. 3 mLength

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  6. 3 mLength

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  7. 3 mLength

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  8. 3 mLength

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  9. 3 mLength

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  10. 3 mLength

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  11. 5 mLength

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  12. 3 mLength

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Prices from the shops we compare. Nobody pays for a place. How we rank

How we calculate

We look at the distance over which a cable can carry a given speed. A twisted-pair cable (copper, with RJ45 plugs) usually reaches its speed up to 100 metres. For 1 Gbit/s, Cat5e is enough for that. For 2.5 and 5 Gbit/s (IEEE 802.3bz) the technology is meant for Cat5e or better, also up to 100 metres. For 10 Gbit/s it is stricter: Cat6a reaches 100 metres, while Cat6 reaches at most 55 metres according to the sources, depending on how neatly the cable is installed.

Over 100 metres copper Ethernet does not work. Put a switch in between or choose fibre; a longer cable does not help. The 100 metres is for the whole link, patch cords at the ends included.

The products under the answer are the cheapest cables in our comparison that are at least as long as your distance. We read the length from the cable's name; if it is not in the name, you will not see that cable here. A cable longer than needed works fine, but often costs more and you have to store the rest somewhere. Prices differ a lot per cable and shop: for 10 metre cables we often saw Cat6 only a few euros above Cat5e and Cat6a clearly higher, so compare the list.

Outdoors: we then show cables whose name says outdoor (UV resistant or waterproof). That range is small, and not every outdoor cable names its category in the title. Check the product page.

The TIA and ISO standards are paid documents. We do not read them ourselves but rely on the Wikipedia pages below, which summarise the standards. Wikipedia is not a manufacturer: for warranty or a special installation, ask the maker of your cable.

Sources