USB Physical Compatibility Chart

A compatibility table for USB 3.2, 2.0, and 1.1 connectors

By
Tim Fisher
Photo of Tim Fisher, Lifewire GM and Writer
Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University
Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
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Updated on August 31, 2023

The USB standard is so common that just about everyone can identify some of the more basic connectors involved with USB 1.1, especially the plugs seen on flash drives and keyboards, as well as the receptacles seen on computers and tablets.

However, as USB became even more popular with other devices like smartphones, and USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 were developed, other connectors became more common, confusing the USB landscape.

Photo of a Mediabridge USB 2.0 USB Extension Cable
USB 2.0 Type A (Male & Female). Mediabridge Products

All references to USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 are the "old" names for these standards. Their official names are USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, respectively.

USB Connector Compatibility Chart

Use the USB physical compatibility chart below to see which USB plug (male connector) is compatible with which USB receptacle (female connector). Some connectors changed from USB version to USB version, so be sure to use the correct one at either end.

For example, using the chart below, you can see that USB 3.0 Type B plugs fit only in USB 3.x Type B receptacles. You can also see that USB 2.0 Micro-A plugs fit in both USB 3.x Micro-AB and USB 2.0 Micro-AB receptacles.

This chart was designed with physical compatibility in mind only. In most cases, this also means that devices will communicate properly, albeit at the lowest common speed, but it's no guarantee. The biggest issue you'll probably find is that some USB 3.0 devices may not communicate at all when used on a computer or other host device that supports only USB 1.1.

USB physical compatibility chart

Here's how to read this chart:

  • BLUE means the plug type from a certain USB version is compatible with the receptacle type from a certain USB version
  • RED means they aren't compatible
  • GRAY means the plug or receptacle doesn't exist in that USB version

USB-C is a port type, while USB 3 is a data transfer protocol. See USB-C vs USB 3 for more information.

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