A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and
Icons
Here is our comprehensive breakdown of the symbols and logos commonly found on USB-
compatible laptops and devices like connection ports, storage drives, charging cables, and
more. Our hope is that knowledge of these icons can help you make an informed decision
on which device connection type is right for your system, and what the symbols really mean.
A short background on who sets the standard.
The USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum, Inc.) is an organization founded by the companies
that developed the Universal Serial Bus speciNcation. Formed to provide a support structure
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
and forum for developing USB technology, the USB-IF outlines compliance for USB-
compatible devices. Responsible for designating the common and accepted practice in
labeling ports, cables, and devices, the USB-IF sets the requirements for clear and
understandable logo usage to promote quality of product.
What exactly am I looking for?
If you take a close-up look at your USB devices and ports, you may notice the USB symbol
marked to indicate the compatibility and capabilities of the port. It started quite simply as a
three-pronged pathway or “Trident Logo” as it is referred to by the USB-IF. This trident leads
from a circle to three recognizable shapes: another (smaller) circle, an arrow-like triangle,
and a square.
From a design perspective, this symbol indicates that a basic USB connection port has the
ability to connect to various cables and devices.
What are the main icons I need to know?
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
It’s important to understand that based on the stage of their release, or the transfer speeds
they were built for, diXerent USB generations of cables will provide diXerent features,
separated generally by data transfer, audio, video, and power delivery.
Five of the main icons to keep an eye out for in approved USB iconography are:
HighSpeed USB
Seen indicated also indicated as Hi-Speed, this USB connection is used for the USB 2.0
standard, these icons are regularly seen on devices with 480 Mbps bandwidth.
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
SuperSpeed USB
The upgrade from Hi-Speed USB, these connections represent the USB 3.0 standard also
known as (USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 1), stylized with a capitalized and italicized SS, and
including the data transfer speed capability of 5 Gbps atop the classic middle triangle prong.
SuperSpeed+ USB
Twice the speed of USB 3.0 standard also known as (USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2), stylized
with a capitalized and italicized SS, and including the data transfer speed capability of 10
Gbps atop the classic middle triangle prong.
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
SuperSpeed with Power Delivery
Not to be confused with its classic SuperSpeed counterpart, this designation carries the
same stylized icon encased within a battery-like shell logo including a trademark symbol.
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
SuperSpeed+ with Power Delivery
Similar to its SuperSpeed+ counterpart, this designation carries the same stylized icon
encased within a battery-like shell logo including a trademark symbol.
USB4
The most modern of USB connection types, these devices will be marked clearly with their
transfer speed capability and the classic USB trident.
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
Fast-charging
Anytime a classic black lightning bolt is seen next to a USB-A or USB-C connector, you know
the port oXers fast-charging for mobile devices whether it’s a phone, tablet, or other
connected peripheral.
DisplayPort Alt Mode
Rare to see but equally important is a black D icon with a white P inscribed within. This
indicates a port supports DP Alt Mode for video delivery.
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
Form Factor & Common Connections
USB-C caters to devices with a smaller more compact form factor such as many modern
laptops like Google’s Chromebooks and Apple’s new M1 Macs. Though USB-C is becoming
more and more commonplace in connection with new technologies, not all devices require a
USB-C cable. That said, smart phones, tablets, eash drives, SD card readers, power banks,
external hard drives, and even some headphones are regularly using USB-C connections for
their function.
Alternate Modes
With alternate modes, USB Type-C connector pins can carry other signals such as
DisplayPort Alt Mode (often labeled DP Alt Mode) which provides the ability for DP laptops or
tablets to connect directly to an external monitor via USB-C ports.
With each new generation of USB-C, we’ve seen diXerent speciNcations that center around
transfer speeds and compatibility. Here is a breakdown of USB-C transfer speeds:
Compatibility Reference Chart
USB-C supports USB4, 3.2, and 3.1 but is also backward compatible with both USB 3.0 and
USB 2.0. Below is a chart indicating which USB versions carry which features.
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A Quick Guide to USB Port Symbols, Logos, and Icons – VisionTek.com https://visiontek.com/blogs/blog/a-quick-guide-to-usb-port-symbols-log...
You’re ready!
Bookmark this page for a quick reference in the future when checking out new cables for
your home set-up or a new laptop for remote work.
For the full USB-IF Usage Guidelines, you can Nnd documentation here:
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