Types of Coaxial Cable: RG6, RG59, RG11, RG58, 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm Explained
coaxial cables are not all the same. The right coax cable depends on impedance, cable size, shielding, connector type, signal frequency, installation environment, and the equipment you are connecting. If you are still identifying the cable physically, start with the guide on what a coax cable looks like.
For most home TV, satellite, antenna, and cable internet installations, the common choice is 75-ohm RG6 coaxial cable. For radio, RF antennas, wireless systems, and test equipment, 50-ohm coaxial cables such as RG58, RG8, RG213, and RG174 are common.
This guide compares the main types of coaxial cable and explains when to use each one.
How Coaxial Cables Are Classified
Coaxial cables are usually classified by several factors:
| Classification | What It Means |
|---|---|
| RG number | A common cable type name, such as RG6, RG59, RG11, or RG58 |
| Impedance | Usually 50 ohm or 75 ohm |
| Diameter | Affects flexibility, connector fit, and signal loss |
| Shielding | Single, dual, tri-shield, or quad-shield construction |
| Jacket rating | Indoor, outdoor, plenum, riser, or direct-burial |
| Connector type | F-type, BNC, SMA, N-type, RCA, or others |
| Application | TV, internet, antenna, RF, radio, CCTV, or test equipment |
The RG number is useful, but it is not enough by itself. Two cables sold as RG6 can differ in shielding, conductor material, jacket type, and attenuation. For critical installations, always check the datasheet.
Fact-Checked Notes Before Choosing a Cable
Many online coaxial cable guides oversimplify the topic by saying "RG6 is better" or "thicker cable is better." That is not always true. A better rule is to match the cable to the signal system.
| Decision Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Impedance first | TV, satellite, video, and cable internet usually use 75-ohm coax; RF and radio equipment often use 50-ohm coax |
| Frequency and distance | Higher frequencies and longer runs increase loss, so cable attenuation matters |
| Connector fit | RG6, RG59, RG11, and RG58 often need different connector sizes |
| Shielding | Shielding affects interference resistance and signal leakage |
| Jacket rating | Outdoor, plenum, riser, and direct-burial use cases require different cable jackets |
| Service provider rules | Cable internet and satellite providers may specify cable and connector requirements |
This article uses approximate sizes because coaxial cable dimensions vary by manufacturer and construction. RG designations are widely used commercially, but they are not a guarantee that every product with the same RG label has identical electrical performance. For size-first selection, use the coax cable sizes and diameter chart.
75 Ohm Coaxial Cable Types
75-ohm coaxial cable is common for TV, video, cable internet, satellite, and antenna systems. If your use case is home entertainment or cable broadband, you are usually looking at a 75-ohm cable.
RG6
RG6 is the standard coaxial cable for most modern home TV and cable internet setups. It is used for cable TV, satellite TV, over-the-air antennas, and cable modems.
| Feature | RG6 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 75 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 6.9 mm / 0.27 in |
| Common connector | F-type |
| Best for | TV, satellite, antenna, cable modem |
| Main advantage | Good balance of availability, loss performance, and installation ease |
Choose RG6 for most new residential coax installations.
RG59
RG59 is an older 75-ohm coaxial cable often used for analog video, CCTV, and short low-frequency runs. It is thinner than RG6, but it usually has higher loss at modern TV, satellite, and broadband frequencies.
| Feature | RG59 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 75 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 6.1 mm / 0.24 in |
| Common connector | BNC, RCA, F-type |
| Best for | Legacy video, CCTV, short analog runs |
| Main limitation | More loss than RG6 at higher frequencies |
RG59 can still work in some short analog video systems, but RG6 is usually better for modern TV and internet.
RG11
RG11 is a larger 75-ohm coaxial cable used for longer runs where lower signal loss is important. It is thicker and less flexible than RG6.
| Feature | RG11 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 75 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 10.3 mm / 0.40 in |
| Common connector | F-type |
| Best for | Long TV, satellite, cable, or outdoor distribution runs |
| Main limitation | Harder to bend, route, and terminate |
Use RG11 for long runs, not for short patch cables behind a TV or modem.
50 Ohm Coaxial Cable Types
50-ohm coaxial cable is common in RF, radio, wireless, test, measurement, and antenna systems. If your equipment has BNC, SMA, N-type, or similar RF connectors, it may require 50-ohm coax.
RG58
RG58 is a flexible 50-ohm coaxial cable often used for short RF connections, radio equipment, lab test leads, and older 10BASE2 thin Ethernet systems.
| Feature | RG58 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 50 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 5.0 mm / 0.20 in |
| Common connector | BNC, SMA, N-type, UHF |
| Best for | Short RF cables, radio, test equipment |
| Main limitation | Higher loss than larger RF coax over distance |
RG58 is convenient for short runs, but it is not ideal for long high-frequency antenna feeds.
RG8
RG8 is a larger 50-ohm coaxial cable used in RF and amateur radio applications. Compared with RG58, it generally offers lower loss but is thicker and less flexible.
| Feature | RG8 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 50 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 10.3 mm / 0.40 in |
| Best for | RF transmission, amateur radio, longer antenna runs |
| Main advantage | Lower loss than smaller 50-ohm coax |
RG213
RG213 is a durable 50-ohm coaxial cable used for radio and RF transmission systems. It is commonly selected when a rugged cable is needed.
| Feature | RG213 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 50 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 10.3 mm / 0.40 in |
| Best for | RF transmission, radio systems, antenna feed lines |
| Main advantage | Durable construction and lower loss than small coax |
RG174
RG174 is a small, flexible 50-ohm coaxial cable often used for short RF pigtails inside devices or near small antennas.
| Feature | RG174 |
|---|---|
| Impedance | 50 ohm |
| Approx. diameter | 2.5 mm / 0.10 in |
| Best for | Small RF pigtails, internal wiring, compact antenna leads |
| Main limitation | High loss, especially at higher frequencies |
Use RG174 only for short connections where flexibility and small size matter more than low loss.
Coaxial Cable Type Comparison Table
| Cable Type | Impedance | Approx. Diameter | Common Use | Best Choice For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG6 | 75 ohm | 6.9 mm / 0.27 in | TV, satellite, cable internet | Most home TV and modem connections |
| RG59 | 75 ohm | 6.1 mm / 0.24 in | Analog video, CCTV | Short legacy video runs |
| RG11 | 75 ohm | 10.3 mm / 0.40 in | Long TV/cable runs | Lower loss over long distance |
| RG58 | 50 ohm | 5.0 mm / 0.20 in | RF, radio, test leads | Short 50-ohm RF connections |
| RG8 | 50 ohm | 10.3 mm / 0.40 in | RF transmission | Longer RF and radio runs |
| RG213 | 50 ohm | 10.3 mm / 0.40 in | RF transmission | Durable radio feed lines |
| RG174 | 50 ohm | 2.5 mm / 0.10 in | RF pigtails | Short compact antenna leads |
Flexible, Semi-Rigid, and Hardline Coax
Besides RG type, coaxial cables can also be grouped by mechanical construction.
| Construction | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible coax | Bendable cable with braided or foil shielding | Home TV, RF patch cables, antennas |
| Semi-rigid coax | Holds shape after bending, often with solid outer conductor | RF modules, microwave systems, test setups |
| Hardline coax | Large rigid or semi-rigid cable for low loss and high power | Broadcast, telecom, high-power RF |
| Micro coax | Very small coaxial cable | Cameras, laptops, phones, compact electronics |
Home users usually deal with flexible coax. RF engineers and equipment manufacturers may use semi-rigid or micro coax depending on the design.
Shielding Types
Shielding helps reduce interference and signal leakage. Common shield styles include:
| Shield Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Single shield | Basic braid or foil protection |
| Dual shield | Foil plus braid, common in many RG6 cables |
| Tri-shield | Additional shielding layer for better isolation |
| Quad-shield | Four shield layers, useful in noisy environments |
Quad-shield RG6 can be useful for cable TV, satellite, and broadband installations in areas with interference, but it also requires connectors designed for the larger shielded cable.
Which Coaxial Cable Type Should You Use?
| Scenario | Recommended Coax |
|---|---|
| Cable TV | RG6 75-ohm |
| Cable modem internet | RG6 75-ohm |
| TV antenna | RG6 75-ohm |
| Long outdoor TV or satellite run | RG11 75-ohm |
| Older CCTV or analog video | RG59 75-ohm |
| Radio equipment | 50-ohm coax specified by the equipment |
| Short RF test lead | RG58 or another 50-ohm test cable |
| Long RF antenna feed | Larger low-loss 50-ohm coax such as RG8 or RG213 |
| Small internal antenna lead | RG174 or similar micro coax |
The safest rule is simple: match the cable impedance and connector type to the equipment.
Practical Buying Checklist
Before ordering coaxial cable, verify these details:
- The required impedance: 50 ohm or 75 ohm
- The connector type and connector size
- The cable run length
- Whether the cable is indoor, outdoor, plenum, riser, or direct-burial
- The frequency range of the system
- Whether solid copper or copper-clad steel is required
- Whether the cable will carry power, such as satellite LNB power or antenna amplifier power
- Whether the installation needs quad shielding or standard shielding
For example, a short cable from a wall outlet to a cable modem is usually a different buying decision from a long outdoor antenna feed or a 50-ohm RF test cable. If the same installation also involves Ethernet or MoCA adapters, compare the signal path in the coaxial cable vs Ethernet cable guide.
FAQ
What are the main types of coaxial cable?
The main coaxial cable types include RG6, RG59, RG11, RG58, RG8, RG213, and RG174. RG6, RG59, and RG11 are usually 75-ohm cables. RG58, RG8, RG213, and RG174 are commonly 50-ohm RF cables.
What coaxial cable is best for TV?
RG6 75-ohm coaxial cable with F-type connectors is the best general choice for modern TV, cable box, satellite, and antenna connections.
What coaxial cable is best for internet?
Cable internet usually uses RG6 75-ohm coaxial cable from the wall outlet to the cable modem.
Is RG6 better than RG59?
For modern TV, satellite, antenna, and cable internet, RG6 is usually better because it generally has lower high-frequency loss. RG59 is more common in older analog video and CCTV systems.
What is RG11 used for?
RG11 is used for long 75-ohm coaxial runs where lower signal loss matters. It is thicker and less flexible than RG6.
What is 50-ohm coax used for?
50-ohm coax is used for RF, radio, wireless, antenna, and test equipment. Common examples include RG58, RG8, RG213, and RG174.
Can I mix 50-ohm and 75-ohm coax?
It is usually best not to mix them unless the equipment documentation allows it. Impedance mismatch can cause reflections, signal loss, and measurement errors.
Related Reading
For the full overview, see the main guide: Coaxial Cable Guide: Types, Uses, Sizes, TV Connections, and Ethernet Adapters Explained.
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