Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 5e vs. Cat 6
Comparing 2 standards across 15 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 5e
Cat 6
Category 5e (Cat 5e, Enhanced) is an Ethernet twisted-pair copper cable standard defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2. Rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz, it introduced stringent electrical crosstalk specifications, enabling reliable 1000BASE-T (1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet) transmission up to 100 meters across all four 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
15 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 Data Rate (1000BASE-T)
|
1 Gbps | — |
|
Max Multi-Gig Rate (802.3bz)
|
2.5 Gbps | — |
|
Max Channel Length
|
100 m | — |
|
Wire Pairs
|
4 pairs | — |
|
Active Pairs (1000BASE-T)
|
4 pairs | — |
|
Typical Shielding
|
U/UTP (Unshielded) or F/UTP | — |
|
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 |