Universal Serial Bus
Description
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics. It specifies the architecture, in particular the physical interfaces, and communication protocols to and from hosts, such as personal computers, to and from peripheral devices, e.g. displays, keyboards, and mass storage devices, and to and from intermediate hubs, which multiply the number of a host's ports.
Color coding
| Color | USB Standard | Transfer Rate | Power | Normative? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | USB 1.0 / 1.1 | 1.5 / 12 Mbit/s | 500 mA max. | No | Legacy hardware only; rarely seen on new boards |
| Black | USB 2.0 | 480 Mbit/s Hi-Speed | 500 mA | No | Dominant interface for keyboards, mice, legacy printers |
| Blue | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 5 Gbit/s SuperSpeed | 900 mA | Yes (USB-IF) | Pantone 300C; the only normatively recommended color; also called USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 Gen 1 |
| Teal | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 10 Gbit/s | 900 mA | No | Manufacturer convention; used by many board makers for USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2 |
| Violet | USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2 | 10 Gbit/s | 900 mA | No | Used by ASUS and MSI for USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports; not normatively defined |
| Red | Always-On / Fast Charge | USB 2.0 or 3.x | up to 2.1 A | No | Always-On (powered when PC is off) and/or higher charging current; vendor-specific |
| Yellow | USB BC / Sleep-and-Charge | USB 2.0 or 3.x | up to 1.5 A | No | Battery Charging spec (BC 1.2); charges during standby/sleep; common on ASUS, Sony, Lenovo |