The Length for a Standard Ethernet Cable

Although there is no officially recognized standard length for Ethernet cables, certain cable length limitations do place limits on maximum length. Additionally, different types of Ethernet connections have different length considerations.

Limitations

The length of any standard Ethernet cable---10BaseT, 100BaseT or Gigabit---is limited by the timing of Ethernet signals traveling along a cable. This maximum is exactly 100 meters or 328 feet.

Ethernet Types

Many types of Ethernet exist. Among them, 10BaseF, the fiber optic version of Ethernet cabling, has the longest possible cable length at 2000 meters. 10Base5 and 10Base2, coaxial cable Ethernet options, are capable of distances up to 500 and 185 meters, respectively.

Considerations

Lengths under about 2 feet may be problematic for connectivity, due to attenuation issues. When deciding on an appropriate cable length for an Ethernet project, remember to make or a buy cables at least 2 feet long and no longer than 100 meters. A little longer than is needed is usually a good idea, in case you decide to move one or both of the hardware attached.

References

• DUX Computer Digest: Ethernet Cable Length Specifications
• The Computer Technology Documentation Project: Ethernet