What Is the Difference Between a Network Cable and an Ethernet Cable?
Introduction
A Network Cable Installation Pasadena can help businesses choose and install the right type of cabling for their network needs. “Network cable” and “Ethernet cable” get used interchangeably so often that most people assume they’re the same thing — and in casual conversation, that’s usually a harmless assumption. But technically, they’re not identical: one term is a broad category, and the other is a specific member of that category. Understanding the distinction matters if you’re specifying cabling for a business, troubleshooting a connection, or just trying to buy the right cable the first time.
This guide breaks down exactly how the two terms relate, what sets Ethernet cable apart from other network cables, and how to choose correctly for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- “Network cable” is a broad umbrella term; “Ethernet cable” is one specific type within it, built to the Ethernet standard for local area network (LAN) connections.
- All Ethernet cables are network cables, but not all network cables are Ethernet cables — fiber optic, coaxial, telephone wire, and even HDMI/audio cables also fall under “network cable.”
- Ethernet cables are identifiable by their twisted-pair internal structure and standard RJ45 connectors, and are further divided into performance categories (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8).
- The two terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation since Ethernet is the most familiar type of network cable, but conflating them can cause mix-ups when ordering, specifying, or troubleshooting cabling.
- Not all data carried over Ethernet cable has to be Ethernet-standard traffic — the cable is just copper wiring, so it can carry other protocols as long as both connected devices support them.
- When connecting devices within a LAN, ask for Ethernet cable specifically rather than the ambiguous “network cable” to avoid receiving the wrong type (e.g., coaxial or fiber).
1. The Short Answer
All Ethernet cables are network cables, but not all network cables are Ethernet cables. “Network cable” is the umbrella term for any cable that carries data between networked devices; “Ethernet cable” refers specifically to cables built to the Ethernet standard, typically for local area networks (LANs).
2. What Is a Network Cable?
A network cable is any physical cable used to connect devices for data transmission — a category broad enough to include fiber optic cables, telephone wires, HDMI cables, and audio cables alongside Ethernet cable, each suited to different environments and distances. Network cables exist to make data transfer, resource sharing, and communication between devices possible, and the right type depends heavily on the specific job: a construction site or factory floor, for instance, calls for cabling that prioritizes durability and resistance to electromagnetic interference, while a data center backbone prioritizes raw bandwidth over distance.
In short, “network cable” describes a function — connecting networked devices — not a single physical design or standard.
3. What Is an Ethernet Cable?
Understanding what are network cables commonly used for helps explain why Ethernet cables are so widely used in modern networks. An Ethernet cable is a specific type of network cable purpose-built for local area networks, taking its name from the Ethernet standard — the underlying technology used in LANs, including much of the infrastructure behind the internet. If you’re wondering whether you can use a network cable as an Ethernet cable, Ethernet cables are typically recognized by their twisted-pair internal structure, usually four twisted pairs of copper wires bundled inside a plastic jacket, terminated with a plastic RJ45 connector at each end.
Because they’re standardized, Ethernet cables are also often called RJ45 cables, and they’re built specifically for short-distance, high-speed connections within local networks — commonly supporting additional features like Power over Ethernet (PoE), which delivers both data and low-voltage electrical power over the same cable.
4. Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Network Cable | Ethernet Cable |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Broad umbrella category | Specific subset of network cable |
| Includes | Fiber optic, coaxial, telephone, HDMI, Ethernet, audio cables | Only cables built to the Ethernet standard |
| Typical connector | Varies by type (LC/SC for fiber, F-type for coax, etc.) | RJ45 |
| Typical use case | Wide range: long-haul telecom, cable TV, LANs, AV connections | Short-distance, high-speed LAN connections |
| Standardization | Varies by cable type | Standardized under IEEE 802.3 and TIA/EIA category ratings |
| Extra capabilities | Depends on cable type | Often supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) |
5. Common Misconceptions
“Ethernet cables can only carry Ethernet traffic.”
Not strictly true. While Ethernet cables are designed for the Ethernet standard, the same physical cable can carry other types of data transmission as long as the devices on both ends support a shared protocol — the cable itself is just copper wire in a jacket.
“All network cables are Ethernet cables.”
This is the most common mix-up, and it’s incorrect. Network cable is a category that includes a variety of cable types — fiber optic, coaxial, telephone wire, and more — each with distinct characteristics and use cases beyond LAN connections.
“The terms are always interchangeable in casual use.”
In everyday conversation, that’s largely fine, since Ethernet cable is by far the most commonly encountered network cable in homes and offices. But in technical documentation, procurement, or troubleshooting contexts, conflating the two can lead to ordering or specifying the wrong cable for a job — like requesting “network cable” and receiving coaxial cable when an RJ45 Ethernet patch cord was actually needed.
6. Types of Ethernet Cable
If you’re wondering what network cables are commonly used for, it’s helpful to understand that their use depends on the type of cable and its specifications. If you’re wondering whether you can use a network cable as an Ethernet cable, the answer depends on the type of network cable and its specifications. Since Ethernet cable is itself a specific standard, it’s further divided into performance categories, each offering better speed and bandwidth than the last: Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 are among the most recognized, with newer cables generally outperforming older ones in speed and reliability.Higher-category cables (Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8) push speeds further but typically cost more and can be less flexible to install. For a full breakdown of how these categories compare, see our companion guide on network cable types and common uses.
7. When to Use Ethernet vs. Other Network Cable Types
- Use Ethernet cable for connecting computers, printers, game consoles, smart TVs, and access points to a router or switch within a home or office LAN.
- Use fiber optic cable (a non-Ethernet network cable) for long-distance backbone links, building-to-building campus connections, or internet service delivery where bandwidth and distance both matter.
- Use coaxial cable for cable TV signal delivery or cable-based (DOCSIS) internet service from an ISP.
- Use telephone wire for traditional landline and some legacy DSL internet connections.
8. How to Choose the Right Cable
- Identify the connection type you actually need. If you’re linking two devices within the same room or building for data, you almost certainly want Ethernet cable, not “network cable” generically.
- Check the connector each device requires. RJ45 signals Ethernet; F-type connectors signal coaxial; LC/SC connectors signal fiber.
- Match category rating to your speed requirements if you’re buying Ethernet cable specifically — see our companion cable-types guide for a full Cat5e–Cat8 comparison.
- Consider the distance and environment. Long runs or high-interference environments may call for fiber or shielded cable rather than standard Ethernet.
- When in doubt, ask for Ethernet cable by name rather than “network cable,” since the latter is ambiguous and could return several incompatible cable types from a supplier.