In most cases, the length of the Ethernet cable will have no effect on the speed (bandwidth and throughput) and I say that because there are very rare cases when people use Ethernet cables longer than 300 feet. And yes, an Ethernet cable that’s longer than that will start experiencing an increased latency, although almost unnoticeable at the beginning, but it can get really bad as the length increases.
At the same time, there are other factors that can determine whether your cable will alter the speed performance and I am mostly talking about the interference (EMI). Even bending the cable above a certain angle can have an impact on the performance of the cable, so let’s explore a bit more this topic and see how long an Ethernet cable should be and how to keep in good conditions pretty much any network cable you may be using.
Table of Contents
Differences between Ethernet cables
For this comparison, I am going to focus only on the LAN types of Ethernet over twisted pair cables.
| Cable | Name | Maximum Distance | Maximum Supported Speed |
| CAT 5 | 100BASE-TX | 328 feet (100 meters) | 100Mbps |
| CAT 5 | 100BASE-T | 328 feet (100 meters) | 1,000Mbps |
| CAT 5E | 2.5GBASE-T | 328 feet (100 meters) | 2,500Mbps |
| CAT 6 | 5GBASE-T | 328 feet (100 meters) | 5,000Mbps |
| CAT 6A | 10GBASE-T | 328 feet (100 meters) | 10,000Mbps |
| CAT 8 | 25GBASE-T | 98 feet (30 meters) | 25,000Mbps |
| CAT 8A | 50GBASE-T | 98 feet (30 meters) | 40,000Mbps |
As you can see, the overwhelming majority of people are going to use CAT5E or CAT6 cables which can go up to 328 feet and it is a very long distance to cover even in larger houses. That’s why most people brush off the possibility of network speed problems due to the length of the cable. But it can happen and how much of an impact would you see?
Let’s talk about propagation delay
I know that a lot of you think that the electrical signal travels at the speed of light throughout the Ethernet cable, but that’s not actually accurate. Instead, the speed is about two thirds the speed of light, which is still plenty enough. And it takes us to the signal propagation delay which is just the time it takes the signal to arrive at its destination.
A CAT 5E UTP (unshielded) cable will have a propagation delay of about 5 nanoseconds every 3.28 feet (1 meter) so, if you go past the maximum suggested length, it’s going to be somewhere near 500 nanoseconds. Which is still negligible. But it can add up if you’re trying to cover miles – you will see though that there are other factors that will also creep in as well.
What about PoE?
Now here’s where things get interesting because PoE will not work above 328 feet (100 meters). And that’s because the Power over Ethernet was designed with the 100m limitation in mind, so going past that length will mean that the voltage will drop leading to an unstable connection to your PoE devices.
Can you still get a reliable PoE connection a bit above 328 feet? Sure, if the cable is high quality, but it’s generally better to keep the Ethernet cable shorter.
Does shielding matter?
The most general solution to EMI (electromagnetic interference) is to use twisted conductors (four pairs) and it has been proven to work over the years. That’s because a normal home or small to medium office doesn’t have the level of interference to impact in a significant way the Ethernet cable performance. Which is why UTP cables are still more common and cheaper than the shielded Ethernet cables.
But there are cases where the EMI is far more prevalent, which is usually the case in industrial facilities (large servo motors, generators and so on). So an STP or FTP EThernet cable will prevent the interference from affecting the speed of your network.
The STP cables are the best solution because they usually use wrapped foil (or braided wire) around each of the four groups of conductors, while the FTP Ethernet cables cover all the twisted pairs of conductors in a single shielding layer. Still more effective than UTP, just less than the STP – also less expensive.
So, to tie in with the length of the Ethernet cable, the idea is that the longer it is, the more chances that it will be subjected to EMI. This is why it’s better to use shorter cables in areas where you know there can be an impact from EMI (also, it’s best to invest in at least FTP Ethernet cables).
Flat vs round Ethernet cable
I admit I like the flat Ethernet cables a lot more than the round ones because they’re easy to carry around and I can better wrap and store them in a drawer after I’m done testing a specific device. But I also know that most of them are limited to only about 100 feet (30 meters) which is a third of the round Ethernet cable.
That’s because the twisted conductors stand side by side, lacking any insulation or shielding. This makes this type of cable far more susceptible to EMI and heat-related problems (bet you didn’t know that temperature has an impact on the speed performance of an Ethernet cable).
So, the idea is to use round shielded Ethernet cables if you plan to go above 100 feet, but I won’t deny you the guilty pleasure of using flat Ethernet cables over shorter distances.
Does the temperature matter?
It does. Most cables will remain operational when the surrounding temperature is between -40 and 167 F (-40 to 75 C) which is within the range where humans can remain alive. But, there is an issue that needs to be taken into consideration and it’s the temperature swings.
Inside a home, it’s normal to have a gradual increase or decrease of temperature, but that’s not necessarily the case outdoors or in a specific industrial environment. So, a proper outdoors-rated Ethernet cable will keep in check better these temperature swings (the water vapors that will enter the cable), while the regular cables (usually hidden behind some PVC conduit) will not survive for long.
The length of the Ethernet cable will also need to be adjusted based on the temperature. The guys at TrueCable actually tested the impact that a temperature above 68 degrees F would have on the cable and which should be the maximum length. And, at the suggested 167 F, it was way below 300 feet and closer to the 200 feet mark, especially for the unshielded cable.
Does bending the cable have any impact on the speed?
Bending a cable at a too sharp angle can and most likely will have an impact on the speed. And the general rule is to follow the guidelines provided by the cable manufacturer since they often do provide a maximum bend radius.
In case they don’t, then just follow the rule of four times the diameter of the cable. There is another aspect that a lot of people ignore and it’s the stretching of the Ethernet cable which usually occurs when hanging a long cable between buildings without any support. Over time, the cable will get crushed under its own weight, so again, use shorter cable or longer, but supported Ethernet cables.
Can an Ethernet switch help with long Ethernet cables?
Yes, it’s possible to extend the reach of Ethernet cables using Ethernet switches. That’s because after each switch, you gain the ability to use another 328 feet of cable and so on. But, be aware that using unmanaged switches will eventually cause connection issues and, when using managed switches, you will be able to see what’s causing those issues.
Perhaps extending the cable once or even twice will work, but going for a mile or more is just asking for trouble – some people suggest to not go above 7 switches due to the Spanning Tree Protocol. The answer to going above 328 feet is to use fiber.
Note: In regards to PoE, it is possible to go above the 328 feet (100 meters) limitation by using special Ethernet switches such as the one from TRENDnet that I tested a few years ago (the TPE-LG80). This switch could push a PoE+ connection up to 656 feet, although the speed would have been severely limited (10Mbps full duplex).
Is it better to use WiFi?
This is a bit of a tongue in the cheek question. And the answer is no, it’s never better to use WiFi over Ethernet cables for many, many reasons. There’s interference, bandwidth limitations, overhead and so on which will heavily impact your network speed. So, for the time being, an Ethernet cable remains the best option for a reliable connection to the Internet (or even for LAN).
Is it better to switch to fiber optics cables?
It depends on the distance that you wish to cover. As we previously discussed, going above 328 feet, it’s better to use fiber. That’s because it’s less prone to interference and the length limit of the Ethernet does not apply to the fiber optics cable which can go for miles.
The good news is that it also has gotten cheaper and so did the Ethernet switches that have SFP slots (as well as the modules). So, if you need to interconnect multiple buildings, don’t go the Ethernet route because it’s just not worth it.
Bibliography:
Wikipedia.org
FlukeNetworks.com
Mark B
Mark is a graduate in Computer Science, having gathered valuable experience over the years working in IT as a programmer. Mark is also the main tech writer for MBReviews.com, covering not only his passion, the networking devices, but also other cool electronic gadgets that you may find useful for your every day life.
FAQs
Does a long Ethernet cable reduce speed? – MBReviews? ›
And yes, an Ethernet cable that's longer than that will start experiencing an increased latency, although almost unnoticeable at the beginning, but it can get really bad as the length increases.
Do you lose speed with a long Ethernet cable? ›To put it simply, the data transmission speed of ethernet network cables remains constant as long as they are run at their specified lengths. However, running cables longer than their recommended lengths reduce the data transmission speeds.
What happens if an Ethernet cable is too long? ›Extending the length of ethernet cables beyond the recommended 100 meters would result in bandwidth deterioration, latency issues and slower transmission speeds, signal deterioration, and eventual signal loss.
At what length does Ethernet slow down? ›An ethernet cable does not reduce speed. The maximum length of the cable is 328 ft, so the cable length cannot cause significant delays. However, if you use a cable that is longer than 328 ft, your network will be weak and will reduce the overall reliability and speed of your network connection.
Do Ethernet cables limit speed? ›Your network speed is, of course, separate and unrelated to your Internet connection speed. So, changing out your Ethernet cables may not have an effect on how fast you can load websites because your Internet speed will be almost always pale in comparison to your network speed.
Is a 25 foot ethernet cable too long? ›Maximum Distance For Ethernet Cable
Ethernet cable can have a length that is too long. The maximum cable length for copper twisted pair cables is going to be up to 328 feet (100 meters). Anything beyond this and you run the risk of your signal strength deteriorating.
Cat7 gets advertised for its 100 Gbps speed, but that will only work for distances up to 15 meters (slightly over 49 feet). Beyond that, it drops to the same 10 Gbps speed of Cat6 and Cat6a (although it still retains its superior 850 Mhz bandwidth).
What are the cons of long Ethernet cables? ›Disadvantage: Limited Flexibility
Of course, ethernet cables have less flexibility than Wi-Fi signals. You face constraints on cable length and bend radius. You may not be able to arrange a desk or workplace exactly how you want it since you must accommodate the additional wires.
An Ethernet channel is the complete end-to-end connection of a cable run from a router/switch to something you use like a computer. Of course, there are variations on this theme, but suffice it to say that from powered-device to powered-device the maximum ethernet cable length is 328 feet.
What is the best length for an ethernet cable? ›Cables with shielding to minimize noise will work reliably over greater distances. The maximum length of a Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable is about 295 ft. (90 m), plus up to 16 ft. (5 m) of patch cable on either end, for a total of 328 feet or 100 meters.
Will Cat 8 improve internet speed? ›
Cat 8 Ethernet cables offer significantly higher speeds and improved performance over previous standards, making them ideal for use in high-bandwidth applications such as data centers, gaming, and 4K/8K video streaming.
Why is my Ethernet speed so slow? ›Try a Different Port on Router or Switch
If your device is connected directly to the router or switch, try using a different port to see if that speeds up your connection. Normally, this shouldn't be an issue, but there are many routers and switches out there where some ports are faster than others.
- Clear up your device. Remove any unnecessary files and clear your caches. ...
- Reduce the number of devices connected to your network. They'll all be competing for bandwidth;
- Use an ethernet cable. ...
- Check your router. ...
- Update your drivers on your connected devices.
A CAT 8 cable, for example, is the fastest you can get right now, while a CAT 5 cable is the slowest. An Ethernet cable should also have shielding. The protective layer blocks data-slowing interference by suppressing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk which can lower a cable's overall performance.
Is Wi-Fi faster than Ethernet? ›An Ethernet connection is generally faster than a WiFi connection and provides greater reliability and security.
What is the maximum length of Cat6 cable without data loss? ›Standards for cable distance recommend that Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cables have a maximum cable segment run length of 100 meters or 328 feet.
What is the maximum distance for Cat 6 cable? ›What is the maximum allowed length for a Cat 5e / Cat 6 cable? For Ethernet copper cabling when used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat 5e / Cat 6 cable is 100 meters (328 ft).
What is the range of a Cat 6 cable? ›Maximum length
When used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat 6 cable is 100 meters (328 ft). This consists of 90 meters (295 ft) of solid horizontal cabling between the patch panel and the wall jack, plus 5 meters (16 ft) of stranded patch cable between each jack and the attached device.
Pairs of wires are generally twisted so that 'on average', both are occupying the same physical space and are exposed to the same magnetic effects. The resulting forces cancel, very similar to someone pulling equally hard on both ends of a rope on a pulley. Rolling up LAN cables like this is perfectly safe.
Is Cat8 worth it? ›Most home network equipment cannot operate at Cat 8 speed, so a Cat 8 cable is overkill. Because it's much faster than most people need, Cat8 cables are best suited for data centre applications. Network transmission speed depends on whether all connected components are able to operate at higher speeds.
What is the lifespan of an Ethernet cable? ›
The average life span of an ethernet cable is five to seven years.
Which is better Cat6 or cat7? ›CAT 7 Ethernet cables support higher bandwidths and much faster transmission speeds than Cat 6 cables. As a result they are much more expensive than their Cat 6 counterparts, however, if you are looking for better performance, they are worth the extra cost. Cat 7 cables can reach up to 100 Gbps at a range of 15 meters.
Is a 10 meter Ethernet cable too long? ›The max length of an ethernet cable is for every category the same. It doesn't matter if you use Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, etc. All Ethernet cables have the same length limit of 328ft (100m). There is one difference though, and that is the maximum speed that they can achieve.
What's better Cat5 or Cat6? ›What are the Advantages of a Cat6 Ethernet Cable? Compared to Cat5/5e cables, Cat6 cables have stricter performance specifications and significantly higher data transfer speeds at greater distances. They are more tightly wound than Cat5 cables, and the cable conductors and cable sheath are thicker as well.
What is the maximum length of a Cat 7 Ethernet cable? ›In 2002, Cat7 wire cabling standards were ratified, allowing 10 Gigabit Ethernet Cat7 cable diameters of over 100m of copper cabling. Cat7 maximum length, like Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A, has a maximum distance of 328 feet (100 meters).
Can you run Ethernet 1000 feet? ›The concise answer is that most manufacturers recommend a maximum distance of 100 meters (about the length of a football field), or 328 feet, when running ethernet cables outdoors. Any further than that, and the wires could still work, but you risk connectivity issues the further you push past this limit.
Does Ethernet affect WiFi? ›If you're asking whether using Ethernet for multiple client connections will affect WiFi in the sense that it could create interference, limit the signal output or simply cut the available range, then the answer is no. It does not have such type of impact on the WiFi.
Why is my Ethernet slower than Wi-Fi? ›The reason is that an Ethernet cable directly connects your router to your computer or other device using the Internet, and Wi-Fi uses radio waves. With Wi-Fi, there are many instances where interference and distance can slow down the connection.
Can you boost Ethernet signal? ›Ethernet extenders are also called Ethernet repeaters — and both names are accurate. These devices extend your Ethernet network by boosting or repeating the signal so it can travel beyond the standard 100 m limit for Ethernet transmission over coax and UTP.
Is CAT7 overkill? ›It's a dead standard that isn't going to see any further adoption and its benefits are easily matched and outweighed by competitor cables, like Cat 6A, or the latest and greatest, Cat8. In the vast majority of cases, if your network is less than 10Gbps then Cat6A cable is going to be all you need.
Is it worth upgrading to Cat 8 Ethernet cable? ›
The primary benefit of Cat8 cabling is faster throughput over short distances: 40 Gbps up to 78' and 25 Gbps up to 100'. From 100' to 328', Cat8 provides the same 10Gbps throughput as Cat6A cabling.
Should I buy CAT7 or 8 Ethernet cable? ›Specifically, Cat 8 cables can deliver up to 40 Gbps at a distance of up to 30 meters operating at a higher frequency of 2000 MHz. Cat 7 cables, on the other hand, delivers the same speed until 10 meters, operating at 600 MHz. Cat 8 works with its official predecessor Cat 6a cable networks.
Does Ethernet cable length matter? ›Although high-quality cable can support stretches of over 100 meters, you may experience a reduction in transmission speed. So, does the length of Ethernet cables matter? The simple answer is yes, though you will almost certainly never run into problems in most residential applications.
Why is my Ethernet speed only 100mbps? ›This is common. Incidents such as rolling over the cable with an office chair, or stepping on it, or closing a door on it, can all cause a Cat 5e cable to revert to 100 Mbps link speeds when it was previously working at Gigabit speeds. Try different ports on your access point (hub, switch, router).
Does it matter what Ethernet cable I use? ›Does ethernet really make a difference? Yes! The type of ethernet cable you have can also make a huge difference, but with so many options out there — it's hard to know which ethernet cable is right for you. Our guide will help you figure out which one is best for your internet connection.
How to bypass Ethernet speed limit? ›There's no way to lift an internet bandwidth limit. Not even a VPN can help. The only way around the limit is upgrading to a higher internet plan or switching providers.
How do I unlock my full internet speed? ›- Restart your computer. ...
- Close unnecessary apps and programs. ...
- Disconnect other devices. ...
- Download one file at a time. ...
- Scan for viruses. ...
- Update drivers and firmware. ...
- Clear cookies.
A Cat8 cable is designed for professional scenarios and data centers and can operate at up to 40 Gbps – which is more than any home-user internet package provides, and would be overkill for even the most demanding of gaming.
Will Cat6 work for Cat5? ›A Cat6 cable has a bandwidth capacity of 250 MHz, for example, and it offers you speeds of up to 10 Gbps. It's also compatible with both Cat5 and Cat5E cables.
Is Cat 8 better than Cat6? ›Cat8 is the fastest Ethernet cable yet. Its data transfer speed of up to 40 Gbps is four times faster than Cat6a, while its support of bandwidth up to 2 GHz (four times more than standard Cat6a bandwidth) reduces latency for superior signal quality.
Does router affect Ethernet speed? ›
For example, an internet plan that offers 500 Mbps on a N300 router, will automatically lose 200Mbps of bandwidth. However, devices connected with an ethernet cable will still benefit from the speeds offered on your plan. Upgrading your router can increase your internet speed.
How do I test my Ethernet cable speed? ›Open Start. Search for Command Prompt and click the top result to open the console. Type the following command to determine the connection speed for all the Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters and press Enter: wmic nic where netEnabled=true get name, speed.
Will Ethernet cable help lag? ›In a few rare cases when the cursor lags or gets randomly disconnected, we recommend using an ethernet connection instead of wifi, as it is usually faster, more secure, and more reliable. An ethernet connection will ensure further stability when using Synergy.
Will CAT6 work at 500 feet? ›You could always go with the regular nanostation if you are really concerned, but for 500 ft the locos should do fine. ipat8: Just FYI cat 6 deterioration starts at about 750 - 800 feet.
Is CAT6e better than CAT6? ›ICC's CAT6 cable has a frequency range of 500 MHz versus the CAT6e cable which has a range of 600 MHz. In addition, CAT6 is established by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) as an industry performance standard and CAT6e is not.
How far can you run Cat 8 cable? ›Category 8 has a maximum Permanent Link Length of 24m (78') and a maximum Channel length of 30m (100') when supporting 25Gbps and 40Gbps speeds. Category 8 cabling can support data speeds of 10Gbps and lower at a full 100m (328') Channel configuration.
Is a 10 meter ethernet cable too long? ›The max length of an ethernet cable is for every category the same. It doesn't matter if you use Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, etc. All Ethernet cables have the same length limit of 328ft (100m). There is one difference though, and that is the maximum speed that they can achieve.
What is the maximum distance for Cat 7 cable? ›Cat7 cable specifications. In 2002, Cat7 wire cabling standards were ratified, allowing 10 Gigabit Ethernet Cat7 cable diameters of over 100m of copper cabling. Cat7 maximum length, like Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A, has a maximum distance of 328 feet (100 meters).
What is the longest distance to run an ethernet cable? ›An Ethernet channel is the complete end-to-end connection of a cable run from a router/switch to something you use like a computer. Of course, there are variations on this theme, but suffice it to say that from powered-device to powered-device the maximum ethernet cable length is 328 feet.
What is the maximum distance for Cat6 cable? ›What is the maximum allowed length for a Cat 5e / Cat 6 cable? For Ethernet copper cabling when used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat 5e / Cat 6 cable is 100 meters (328 ft).
How far can I run Cat 5 cable? ›
Cat5 cables can carry data, telephone and video signals and have a maximum recommended length of 328 feet (100 meters).
What are the disadvantages of Cat 7 cable? ›Cons – They are a bit expensive. They require 40 to 60% more space to contain the cable and different connections. Their testing is trickier and requires modern test equipment. There is no real speed advantage over a good Cat6a system.
What is Cat 8 cable used for? ›Cat8 Ethernet is used in data centers and server rooms for switch- to- switch communications. They're especially useful when upgrading networks without needing a complete equipment overhaul because the RJ45 ends are standardized.
Does it matter if you use a CAT 5 cable or Cat 7 cable in your network? ›A Cat 7 cable offers bandwidth up to 600MHz. Thus in simple terms is 6 times the capacity of Cat5e and 2 and a half times that of Cat6. Simply put, a Cat 7 cable is what we recommend you use when wiring your smart home.
Is WiFi faster than Ethernet? ›An Ethernet connection is generally faster than a WiFi connection and provides greater reliability and security.
How far can you run Cat 6 cable without losing much performance? ›Standards for cable distance recommend that Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cables have a maximum cable segment run length of 100 meters or 328 feet.
What is the lifespan of an ethernet cable? ›The average life span of an ethernet cable is five to seven years.
Is Cat 8 overkill? ›Most home network equipment cannot operate at Cat 8 speed, so a Cat 8 cable is overkill. Because it's much faster than most people need, Cat8 cables are best suited for data centre applications. Network transmission speed depends on whether all connected components are able to operate at higher speeds.