A USB-B cable connects peripheral devices — most commonly printers, scanners, and audio interfaces — to a host computer using a square-shaped Type-B connector on the device end and a rectangular USB-A connector on the computer end.
- Your device has a USB-B or USB 3.0 Type-B port
- You are connecting to a USB-A host port on a computer or hub
- The cable matches the USB version your device supports
- Your device has switched to USB-C or wireless connectivity
- You try to use a USB-B cable in a USB-C only port without an adapter
What does a USB-B cable look like?
The USB-B connector has a distinctive square shape with beveled top corners. This design is intentional — it physically cannot be inserted the wrong way or confused with a USB-A port, reducing the risk of damage. One end plugs into the peripheral device, and the other end is a standard USB-A plug that connects to your computer or hub.
Common devices that use a USB-B cable
- Printers and scanners — The most widespread use. Nearly every wired USB printer or scanner made in the last two decades has a USB-B port.
- Audio interfaces and mixing consoles — Professional audio gear relies on USB-B for stable, low-latency multichannel audio transfer.
- External hard drives — Full-sized desktop drive enclosures often use USB-B or USB 3.0 Type-B for durability under frequent connections.
- USB hubs and monitors — Downstream hubs use a USB-B upstream port to connect back to the host computer.
- Industrial and legacy devices — Routers, controllers, and older televisions still use USB-B for data and power delivery.
USB-B vs USB 3.0 Type-B
USB 3.0 introduced a larger Type-B connector with an extra row of pins for SuperSpeed data. USB 3.0 Type-B ports accept standard USB-B plugs for backward compatibility, but you need a USB 3.0 Type-B cable to get the full speed benefit. Check the USB Implementers Forum specifications if you need to verify which version your device supports.
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printer to USB-A computer | Yes | USB-A to USB-B cable | Most common use case |
| Audio interface to USB-A | Yes | USB-A to USB-B cable | Check USB version for speed |
| Desktop drive (USB 3.0) | Yes | USB 3.0 Type-B cable | Standard USB-B works but slower |
| USB-B device to USB-C only laptop | No | Adapter or USB-C hub | Needs USB-A port or adapter |
Does USB-B work with USB-C laptops?
Modern laptops often drop USB-A ports entirely. If your laptop only has USB-C, you will need a USB-C to USB-A adapter or a hub to use a USB-B peripheral. Learn more about how USB-C handles different connections and what adapters you may need.
If you are also wondering whether your USB-C port can carry video signals alongside data, see our guide on whether USB-C supports video output.
Bottom line: A USB-B cable is the standard choice for connecting wired printers, scanners, audio interfaces, and desktop drives to a computer. It is a proven, stable connector that has worked reliably for decades — just confirm your laptop still has a USB-A port, or grab an adapter if it does not.