Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6A vs Cat7 vs Cat8 Cable: Speed, Distance and Shielding (UTP, FTP, S/FTP)
Speed, bandwidth and distance of Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A, Cat7 and Cat8 Ethernet cables, UTP, FTP and S/FTP shielding, solid vs stranded conductors and choosing the right category.
The category of an Ethernet cable sets the frequency bandwidth (MHz) it carries and therefore speed and distance. Cat5e and Cat6 carry 1 Gbps over 100 m, Cat6A carries 10 Gbps over 100 m and Cat8 up to 40 Gbps over 30 m. Categories are classified in ISO/IEC 11801 and EN 50173; shielding is a separate choice.
> Related Category: Browse all categories and shield types in Ethernet (LAN) Cables, Cat6 Cables and Cat6A Cables.
1. Category comparison
| Category | Bandwidth | Maximum speed | Distance at that speed | Typical construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat5e | 100 MHz | 1 Gbps | 100 m | U/UTP |
| Cat6 | 250 MHz | 1 Gbps (10 Gbps) | 100 m (37–55 m at 10 Gbps) | U/UTP, F/UTP |
| Cat6A | 500 MHz | 10 Gbps | 100 m | F/UTP, U/FTP, S/FTP |
| Cat7 | 600 MHz | 10 Gbps | 100 m | S/FTP |
| Cat7A | 1,000 MHz | 10 Gbps | 100 m | S/FTP |
| Cat8 | 2,000 MHz | 25–40 Gbps | 30 m | S/FTP |
- The 100 m limit covers the whole channel: 90 m of fixed cable plus 10 m of patch cords in total.
- Cat6 holds 10 Gbps only over short runs because of crosstalk from neighbouring cables; choose Cat6A for 10 Gbps.
- Cat7 is defined with connectors other than RJ45; terminated on RJ45 it performs in practice like Cat6A.
- Cat8 serves short server-to-switch links in data centres and is unnecessary in homes and offices.
2. Shielding codes: UTP, FTP, S/FTP
The code reads overall screen / pair screen + TP (U: unscreened, F: foil, S: braid).
| Code | Overall screen | Pair screen | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| U/UTP | None | None | Homes, offices; easiest to install |
| F/UTP | Foil | None | Offices, light interference |
| U/FTP | None | Foil on each pair | Stops pair-to-pair crosstalk at 10 Gbps |
| S/FTP | Braid | Foil on each pair | Industry, routes near power cables, data centres |
| SF/UTP | Braid + foil | None | Where mechanical and electrical robustness is needed |
Screened cable works only with screened connectors, screened patch panels and earthing; an unearthed screen acts as an antenna. With unscreened cabling, keeping 20–30 cm from power cables is enough in most homes and offices.
3. Conductor type: solid vs stranded
| Property | Solid | Stranded |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One copper wire per core, 23–24 AWG | Fine strands per core, 26–28 AWG |
| Use | Fixed cabling in walls and trays | Patch cords between outlet and device |
| Termination | Punched into IDC contacts on outlets and patch panels | Crimped RJ45 plugs |
| Distance | Up to 90 m | Up to 10 m in total per channel |
- Fixed cabling is run in solid cable and terminated on wall outlets; devices connect with ready-made patch cables.
- Insist on solid copper conductors. Copper-clad aluminium (CCA) does not meet category standards, slows long links and heats up under PoE; see CCA vs Solid Copper Cable.
4. Sheath type
| Sheath | Property | Use |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | General purpose | Indoors |
| LSZH (halogen-free) | Low smoke, no corrosive gas | Schools, hospitals, hotels, escape routes |
| PE (outdoor) | UV and moisture resistant, black | Outdoors, gardens, between poles |
| Gel-filled / with steel messenger | Water blocking and tensile strength | Buried ducts, aerial runs |
5. Which category to choose?
| Need | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Home internet up to 1 Gbps | Cat6 U/UTP |
| New office cabling for 10 years or more | Cat6A |
| PoE cameras and wireless access points | Cat6 or Cat6A, solid copper 23 AWG |
| Industrial sites near motors and drives | Cat6A or Cat7 S/FTP, earthed |
| Server rooms, short 25–40 Gbps links | Cat8 |
| Extending an existing 1 Gbps network | Cat5e is enough; use Cat6 for new runs |
- The link performs at its lowest-rated part: a Cat5e outlet on Cat6A cable gives a Cat5e link.
- Keep the bend radius at least 4 times the cable diameter and do not crush cables with ties.
- Untwist pairs by no more than 13 mm at the connector; longer untwisting causes errors at high speed.
- For PoE devices see Security Camera Types and PoE.
Frequently asked questions
How many Mbps does Cat6 cable support?
1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) up to 100 m. Over short runs of about 37–55 m it can carry 10 Gbps; 10 Gbps over 100 m needs Cat6A.
What is the difference between Cat5e and Cat6?
Both carry 1 Gbps over 100 m. Cat6 has higher bandwidth (250 MHz) and tighter twists, resists interference better and allows 10 Gbps over short runs.
Is Cat7 cable worth choosing?
On RJ45 connectors Cat7 gives the same 10 Gbps as Cat6A. Its advantage is the double-screened S/FTP build, which matters in noisy industrial settings; Cat6 or Cat6A is enough at home.
How long can an Ethernet cable be?
The channel length for copper is 100 m. Beyond that, insert a switch or use fibre optic cable.
Shielded (FTP) or unshielded (UTP) cable?
UTP is sufficient and easier to install in homes and standard offices. Routes shared with power cables, areas near motors and drives, and 10 Gbps links need screened cable with the screen earthed.