An Ethernet connection is a cable that plugs directly into your router and your device

An Ethernet connection is a physical cable — usually gray or black — that runs from your router to a computer, printer, or other device. One end plugs into a port on the back of your router. The other end plugs into a matching port on your device. When both are connected, data travels through that cable instead of through the air.

The cable itself is called an Ethernet cable or network cable. The ports it plugs into are called Ethernet ports or RJ45 ports. They look like oversized telephone jacks. If your device has one of these ports, you can use an Ethernet connection. If it does not — like most phones and tablets — you cannot, and you will use Wi-Fi instead.

Ethernet is older than Wi-Fi. It has been the standard way to connect computers to networks since the 1980s. It still exists because it does something Wi-Fi cannot: it sends data through a solid object instead of through radio waves, which makes it faster and more reliable.

Key Takeaways

  • Ethernet is a cable connection from your router to a device, not a wireless connection like Wi-Fi.
  • Ethernet is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi because the data travels through a physical cable instead of radio waves.
  • Not all devices have Ethernet ports — phones and tablets typically do not, but most computers and printers do.
  • You can use both Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time on the same router; they do not interfere with each other.
  • Ethernet cables come in different lengths and speeds, but for a home network, any standard modern cable will work.

How Ethernet differs from Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi sends data through the air as radio waves. Your router broadcasts these waves in all directions, and your device picks them up from anywhere in range. This is convenient — you can move around your house and stay connected. But radio waves travel through walls, furniture, and other obstacles, which slows them down and makes the connection less stable.

Ethernet sends data through a cable. Nothing interferes with it. The data does not have to travel through walls or compete with other radio signals. This is why Ethernet is faster — typically two to ten times faster than Wi-Fi on the same router — and why it almost never drops the connection.

The trade-off is that you have to stay in one place. The cable has a limited length, usually 100 feet maximum for a standard home cable. If you need to move your device, you unplug the cable and move it with you, or you switch to Wi-Fi.

Which devices can use Ethernet

Most desktop computers have an Ethernet port built in. Laptops often do not — many modern laptops have removed the port to save space. If your laptop does not have one, you can buy an adapter that plugs into the USB port and gives you an Ethernet port. These adapters cost between ten and thirty dollars.

Printers, security cameras, and smart TVs often have Ethernet ports. Phones and tablets almost never do. Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox have Ethernet ports. Smart speakers and most smart home devices do not.

If you are not sure whether your device has an Ethernet port, look at the back or sides. An Ethernet port is a rectangular slot about half an inch wide, slightly larger than a phone charging port. If you see one, you can use Ethernet. If you do not see one, you will need Wi-Fi or a USB adapter.

Why you might want to use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi

Use Ethernet for devices that stay in one place and need a fast, stable connection. A desktop computer in a home office is the most common example. If you are downloading large files, streaming video, or playing online games, Ethernet will give you better performance than Wi-Fi.

Ethernet is also more reliable. If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping or slowing down, plugging in an Ethernet cable to the same device will often fix the problem when ready. This is useful for troubleshooting — if Ethernet works but Wi-Fi does not, you know the problem is with your Wi-Fi signal, not with your internet connection or router.

Some people use Ethernet for security reasons. A device connected by Ethernet is only reachable through that cable, not through radio waves. This makes it slightly harder for someone outside your home to interfere with it. For a home network, this is a minor advantage, but it is one reason some people prefer Ethernet for devices that hold sensitive information.

How to set up an Ethernet connection

Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into an available port on the back of your router. These ports are usually labeled and grouped together. On most routers, they are yellow or a different color from the power port. Plug the other end into the Ethernet port on your device.

That is all you need to do. Most devices recognize the Ethernet connection when ready and start using it. You do not need to enter a password or configure anything. If your device is already connected to Wi-Fi, it will usually prefer the Ethernet connection and use that instead.

If the connection does not work, check that both ends of the cable are pushed in firmly. Ethernet cables click when they are fully seated. If the cable is loose, the connection will not work. If both ends are firmly connected and it still does not work, try a different cable or a different port on the router.

Ethernet cables and what you need to know about them

Ethernet cables come in different categories: Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7. These refer to the speed the cable can handle. For a home network, Cat5e or Cat6 is standard and will work fine. Cat5 is older and slower, but still works. Cat7 is newer and faster, but the difference does not matter for home use.

Cables also come in different lengths. Common lengths are 10 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet. Buy the length you need based on where your router is and where you want to plug in your device. A longer cable does not slow down the connection — the speed is the same whether the cable is 10 feet or 100 feet.

Ethernet cables are cheap. A 25-foot Cat5e cable costs three to eight dollars. You can buy them at any electronics store or online. If you already have a cable and are not sure what category it is, look at the label printed on the cable itself. It will say Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat7.

Can you use Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time

Yes. A device can be connected to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time. The device will use the Ethernet connection first, and if that fails, it will automatically switch to Wi-Fi. You do not have to choose one or the other.

This is useful if you want the speed and reliability of Ethernet most of the time, but you also want Wi-Fi as a backup. For example, you might plug your laptop into Ethernet while you are at your desk, then unplug it and use Wi-Fi when you move to another room. The device handles this automatically.

Ethernet and Wi-Fi do not interfere with each other. You can have some devices on Ethernet and some on Wi-Fi, all connected to the same router, and they will all work together without problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethernet faster than Wi-Fi?

Yes, typically two to ten times faster. Ethernet sends data through a cable with no interference, while Wi-Fi sends data through the air and has to work around walls, furniture, and other radio signals. For everyday tasks like email and web browsing, the difference is not noticeable. For downloading large files or streaming video, Ethernet is noticeably faster.

Do I need a special Ethernet cable for my router?

No. Any standard Ethernet cable works with any router. Cat5e and Cat6 are the most common and will work fine for home use. You do not need to buy a special cable or match the cable to your router model.

What if my device does not have an Ethernet port?

You can buy a USB adapter that adds an Ethernet port to your device. These adapters plug into a USB port and cost between ten and thirty dollars. They work with laptops, tablets, and other devices that have USB ports but no built-in Ethernet port.

Can I use Ethernet if I live in an apartment and the router is far away?

Ethernet cables can run up to 100 feet, so if your router is within that distance, yes. If it is farther, you can buy a longer cable or use Wi-Fi instead. Some people also use Ethernet over powerline adapters, which send data through electrical outlets, but these are less common and more complicated to set up.

Does Ethernet use the same internet connection as Wi-Fi?

Yes. Ethernet and Wi-Fi both connect to the same internet through the same router. They are just two different ways to reach that connection. Using Ethernet does not give you a separate or faster internet connection — it just gets you to the same connection more reliably.