Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 5 vs. Cat 6
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 5
Cat 6
Category 5 (Cat 5) is a legacy twisted-pair copper cable standard defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A. Rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz, it was the foundational medium for 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) over distances up to 100 meters, utilizing two of its four twisted pairs.
Category 6 (Cat 6) is a twisted-pair Ethernet cable standard defined in ANSI/TIA-568-B.2-1. Rated up to 250 MHz, it supports 1 Gbps at 100 meters and 10 Gbps (10GBASE-T) up to 55 meters in low-crosstalk environments, featuring tighter pair twists and a central longitudinal spline separator.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bandwidth
|
100 MHz | 250 MHz |
|
Standard Connector
|
8P8C (RJ45) | 8P8C (RJ45) |
|
Channel Classification
|
ISO/IEC 11801 Class D | ISO/IEC 11801 Class E |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
100 Mbps | — |
|
Max Channel Length
|
100 m | — |
|
Wire Pairs
|
4 pairs | — |
|
Active Pairs (100BASE-TX)
|
2 pairs | — |
|
Typical Shielding
|
U/UTP (Unshielded) | — |
|
Max Data Rate (at 100m)
|
— | 1 Gbps |
|
Max Multi-Gig Rate (at 100m)
|
— | 5 Gbps |
|
Max Data Rate (at 55m)
|
— | 10 Gbps |
|
Max Channel Length (10 Gbps)
|
— | 55 m |
|
Wire Gauge (Typical)
|
— | 23–24 AWG |
|
Internal Spline Separator
|
— | Yes |