Every cable has a unique shape. If a cable feels like it's being forced, it's the wrong port. Below is the field guide — common name, the proper name, and what it plugs into. The photos show *different* examples from the ones in the Workshop 1 setup video, so you can recognise the same cable wherever you see it.

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- **Common name:** microSD

- **Proper name:** Secure Digital — micro form factor

- **Fits into:** the slim slot on the underside of a Raspberry Pi, in phones, in some cameras and drones. The full-size **SD card** is bigger and goes in laptops, DSLRs, and card readers.

- **Holds:** the Pi's operating system. It's the Pi's "hard drive".

- **Look for:** the tiny gold contacts on one side, and the diagonal corner that tells you which way is up.

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- **Common name:** USB plug, "the rectangular one"

- **Proper name:** USB Type-A

- **Fits into:** USB-A ports on the Pi, laptops, desktops, hubs, TVs.

- **Used for:** keyboards, mice, USB sticks, external drives, charging cables for older devices. Same plug on all of them — that's why one port can power so many different things.

- **Look for:** a flat rectangle. Only fits one way up — but you usually have to flip it twice before realising.

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- **Common name:** "the small HDMI"

- **Proper name:** HDMI Type-D (micro HDMI)

- **Fits into:** the Pi 5's two display ports. The plug at the *other* end of the cable is normally **full-size HDMI** (Type-A) for the monitor.

- **Used for:** carrying video and audio from the Pi to a monitor or TV.

- **Look for:** the flattened trapezoid shape — wider at one edge, narrower at the other. There's only one way it fits.

- **Heads up:** a regular full-size HDMI cable will *not* fit a Pi 5. You need the micro version, or a small adapter.

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- **Common name:** network cable, internet cable

- **Proper name:** RJ45 — short for Registered Jack 45 (an 8-pin connector)

- **Fits into:** the Pi's Ethernet port (the kind of socket pictured above), the back of routers, switches, modems, and most desktop PCs.

- **Used for:** wired internet — usually faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.

- **Look for:** the little plastic clip on top of the *plug* that *clicks* when fully inserted into the socket. To unplug, push the clip down with your thumb first.

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- **Common name:** USB-C, the modern phone charger

- **Proper name:** USB Type-C

- **Fits into:** Pi 5 power input, recent Android phones, modern laptops, iPads, Switch consoles.

- **Used for:** power on the Pi. (USB-C can also carry data and video on other devices.)

- **Look for:** the small oval plug. **Reversible** — it fits both ways up. This is the only modern plug that doesn't make you flip it.

- **Heads up:** the Pi has *no on/off switch*. Plugging in USB-C power is what turns the Pi on. Always plug power in **last**, after everything else is connected.

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::: info

**<i class="fas fa-pencil-alt"></i> Your turn!** No looking it up first.

:::

**<i class="fas fa-search"></i> Question** ① — A cable has a flat rectangular plug at one end and a small oval plug at the other. What are the two names? Where does each end go on a Pi 5?

**<i class="fas fa-tv"></i> Question** ② — Your monitor only has full-size HDMI ports. The Pi 5 only has micro HDMI ports. What do you need to buy?

**<i class="fas fa-wifi"></i> Question** ③ — Why does Ethernet click into place but HDMI just slides in? What problem is the click solving?

**<i class="fas fa-question-circle"></i> Question** ④ — Pick a cable on this page. Find one at home. Take a photo of *both ends* and label what each end is called.

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See also: [Raspberry Pi - Setting Up](/dt7/Raspberry%20Pi%20-%20Setting%20Up) · [Workshop 1 Hardware and Networks](/dt7/Workshop%201%20Hardware%20and%20Networks) · [Raspberry Pi Foundation - What Is A Raspberry Pi](/dt7/Raspberry%20Pi%20Foundation%20-%20What%20Is%20A%20Raspberry%20Pi)

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