USB-C
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer Hardware
| Stands for | Universal Serial Bus Type-C |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
USB-C stands for Universal Serial Bus Type-C, a computer hardware abbreviation.
Small, oval, reversible 24-pin connector used for charging and data on phones, laptops, tablets, headphones and accessories. One port can carry USB data, video, Thunderbolt and up to 240 W of power, depending on the device and cable.
Example: The iPhone 15 switched to USB-C, so one cable now charges my phone, laptop and earbuds.
Usage notes
The USB Implementers Forum published the connector specification in 2014, and Apple's 12-inch MacBook (2015) was an early adopter. An EU law made USB-C mandatory for phones and many other devices sold from December 28, 2024, and for laptops from April 28, 2026. USB-C names the plug shape only: a USB-C cable may support anything from USB 2.0 to 80 Gbit/s, so check its rating.
Related abbreviations
More computer hardware abbreviations
- TPU – Tensor Processing Unit
- UFS – Universal Flash Storage
- UPS – Uninterruptible power supply
- USB – Universal Serial Bus
- USB-A – Universal Serial Bus Type-A
- USB-B – Universal Serial Bus Type-B
- USB4 – Universal Serial Bus 4
- VDU – Visual display unit
- VGA – Video Graphics Array
- VRAM – Video random-access memory
- VRM – Voltage regulator module
- WORM – Write once, read many