Color-coding Scheme For Connectors and Ports
Perhaps the most end-user visible and lasting impact of PC 99 was that it introduced a color code for the various standard types of plugs and connectors used on PCs. As many of the connectors look very similar, particularly to a novice PC user, this made it far easier for people to connect peripherals to the correct ports on a PC. This color code was gradually adopted by almost all PC and motherboard manufacturers. Some of the color codes have also been widely adopted by peripheral manufacturers.
| Color | Function | Connector on PC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse and keyboard | ||||
| Green | PS/2 mouse / pointing device | 6-pin mini-DIN female | ||
| Purple | PS/2 keyboard | 6-pin mini-DIN female | ||
| Gold | Game port / MIDI | 15-pin D female | ||
| General input/output | ||||
| Black | USB 1 | USB Type A female | ||
| White | USB 2.0 | USB Type A female | ||
| Sky blue | USB 3.0 SuperSpeed | USB 3.0 Type A female | ||
| Red | High-power USB (more than 500 mA current available) | USB Type A female | ||
| Grey | IEEE 1394 (FireWire) | 6-pin FireWire 400 | ||
| Burgundy | Parallel port | 25-pin D female | ||
| Teal or turquoise | Serial port | 9-pin D male | ||
| Video | ||||
| Blue | Analog monitor | 15-pin VGA female | ||
| White | Digital monitor | DVI female | ||
| Yellow | S-Video | 4-pin mini-DIN | ||
| Yellow | Composite video | RCA jack | ||
| Black | Digital audio/video | HDMI female | ||
| Audio | ||||
| Pink | Analog microphone audio input (mono or stereo). | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Light blue | Analog line level audio input. | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Lime green | Analog line level audio output for the main stereo signal (front speakers or headphones). | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Black | Analog line level audio output for the surround speakers (rear speakers). | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Silver | Analog line level audio output for "side speakers". | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Orange | Analog line level audio output for the center speaker / Subwoofer | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
Read more about this topic: PC System Design Guide
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