What audio cable do I need for headphones?
Most headphones use a 3.5 mm TRS (stereo mini jack) cable. Studio headphones often use a 6.35 mm (¼″) jack. If your phone has no headphone jack, you need a USB-C or Lightning adapter.
Quick reference by headphone type
| Headphone type | Connector | Adapter needed on modern phone? |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer earbuds / over-ear | 3.5 mm TRS | USB-C to 3.5 mm or Lightning to 3.5 mm |
| Studio headphones (hi-fi) | 6.35 mm (¼″) | 6.35 mm to 3.5 mm + USB-C adapter |
| Gaming headset on PC | 3.5 mm + separate mic jack, or USB-A | — |
| Gaming headset on console | 3.5 mm (to controller) or proprietary optical | — |
| Wireless headphones | Bluetooth (no cable needed) | — |
TRS vs TRRS
The rings on the plug indicate the number of conductors:
- TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) — 3 conductors: stereo left, stereo right, ground. Audio only. Used with headphones that have a separate microphone.
- TRRS (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) — 4 conductors: adds microphone. Used with phone headsets and earbuds with inline microphone.
Most 3.5 mm ports accept both TRS and TRRS. A TRS plug in a TRRS socket will play audio but the microphone won't work, and vice versa.
Balanced cables for audiophiles
High-end headphone amplifiers offer balanced outputs using XLR-4 or 4.4 mm Pentaconn connectors. These reduce noise over long cables. Standard headphones can be recabled for balanced output but this requires headphones with a detachable cable.