What cable connects a laptop to a monitor?
Match the cable to the port on your laptop: HDMI cable for an HDMI port, DisplayPort cable for a DisplayPort, or a USB-C to HDMI/DisplayPort cable for laptops that only have USB-C. Not all USB-C ports support video — check for a DisplayPort symbol or Thunderbolt bolt icon.
Identify your laptop's output port
| Port on laptop | Cable to use |
|---|---|
| Full-size HDMI | HDMI cable (any length up to 20 ft) |
| Mini HDMI | Mini HDMI to HDMI cable |
| DisplayPort (DP) | DisplayPort cable |
| Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt 1&2 | Mini DP to DP cable or adapter |
| USB-C / Thunderbolt 3&4 / USB4 | USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to DP cable |
| USB-A only | USB to HDMI adapter (DisplayLink chip) |
USB-C caveats
A USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode can output video directly — this is common on Thunderbolt and USB4 ports. A plain USB-C charging port (power-only) cannot. Check your laptop spec sheet or look for the Thunderbolt bolt (⚡) or DP logo next to the port.
Which is better: HDMI or DisplayPort?
Both work fine for 4K at 60 Hz. DisplayPort 1.4 supports 4K at 144 Hz (preferred for gaming monitors) and can daisy-chain multiple monitors. HDMI 2.1 matches DisplayPort for gaming but is less common on monitors.