Converters
Cable & Connector Adapters
Common physical adapters and converters between port/socket types.
Data & Peripheral Adapters
| Adapter | Connects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USB to Ethernet (LAN) | USB-A / USB-C → RJ45 | Adds wired networking to laptops without a LAN port |
| USB-C to 3.5mm Audio (AUX) | USB-C → TRS jack | Adds a headphone jack to phones without one; contains a built-in DAC |
| USB-C to USB-A | USB-C → USB-A | Connects legacy USB-A devices to USB-C-only laptops |
| USB-A to USB-C | USB-A → USB-C | Connects USB-C devices/cables to older USB-A ports |
| Micro-USB to USB-C | Micro-USB → USB-C | Lets an old Micro-USB cable charge a USB-C device |
| Lightning to USB-C | Apple Lightning → USB-C | Charges/syncs older iPhone/iPad on USB-C chargers |
| USB to Serial (RS-232) | USB-A → DB9 | Programming/configuring legacy industrial equipment |
| USB to Parallel | USB-A → DB25 Centronics | Connects legacy parallel-port printers to modern PCs |
| FireWire to USB | IEEE 1394 → USB-A | Legacy camcorder/audio interface support on modern PCs |
| SATA to USB | SATA → USB-A | Uses an internal drive as external storage (enclosure/dock) |
| Thunderbolt to USB-C | Thunderbolt 3/4 → USB-C device | USB-C is electrically compatible with the Thunderbolt port |
Video Adapters
| Adapter | Connects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI to VGA | HDMI → VGA | Active adapter (digital-to-analog chip required) |
| VGA to HDMI | VGA → HDMI | Active adapter (analog-to-digital chip required) |
| DisplayPort to HDMI | DisplayPort → HDMI | Usually passive; DP output electrically supports HDMI signaling |
| USB-C to HDMI | USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) → HDMI | Laptop video-out to an external monitor or TV |
| DVI to HDMI | DVI-D → HDMI | Passive; carries video only, no audio |
Audio & Combo Adapters
| Adapter | Connects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm TRRS to Dual TRS | Headphone+mic combo → separate headphone/mic jacks | Common PC audio splitter for headset use |
| USB-C Multiport Hub | USB-C → HDMI + USB-A + LAN + SD | Common laptop docking hub, combines several adapters |
| RJ45 to RJ11 | Ethernet jack → phone jack shape | Physically similar but different pinout/signaling — not interchangeable without a purpose-built adapter |