Easy USB C wiring color code and Pin diagram in detail
USB 3.X attained its massive speed increase with the addition of 5 more wires containing 2 pairs, one each for TX and RX (viz, TX+/ TX-, RX-, RX+), and an additional ground return.
The creative part is how to identify additional 5 connections, thus allocating new USB C wire color codes to the wires other than existing USB 2.0 wires.
USB 2.0 and 3.0 “type A” connectors are interchangeable and compatible, the extra 5 pins added such a way that there should be no compatibility issues.
Below image showing USB C type C cable color code showing signal name at USB C plug:
^ Blue colored Mylar material Foil with conducting inner layer/ separate connector is optional and may not present in some wires also its presence does not disobey the USB protocol either, these are independent ground but connected at end.
*All signal names viewing at USB type C plug end and USB C wires inside.
(refer to wiring diagram, USB type A connection with USB C 3.0).
You could be interested in USB C 2.0 & 3.0 pinout and their detailed function, do check here -> USB C pinout for 2.o and 3.0
USB type c wire color table/ port USB C color code :
| Conductor Color | Pins At Port | Signal Name | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | RED | A4,B4,A9,B9 | VBUS |
 | WHITE | A7 | Dn1/ D- |
 | GREEN | A6 | Dp1/ D+ |
 | BLACK | A1,B1,A12,B12 | GND |
| N/A | A5 | CC | |
| N/A | B5 | VCON | |
 | BLUE | A3 | TX1- |
 | YELLOW | A2 | TX1+ |
 | PURPLE | B10 | RX1- |
| N/A | GND | GND | |
 | ORANGE | B11 | RX1+ |
| N/A | SHELL | SHIELD |
- A6 and A7 are differential Data lines. They are used as Data lines (D+ & D-) for USB 2.0 connections only. A6 and A7 are usually un-shielded pair of wires, in which A6 is Green in color, and the color of A7 is white.
- A4+B4+A9+B9 (VBUS) is an individual wire for power supply. Its color code is red and all these pins are common at terminal end. A1,B1,A12,B12 (GND) is an individual wire for power supply. Its color code is black and all these pins are common at terminal end.
- (B10+B11) are shielded pair of high speed data receive signal (RX1- & RX1+), in which B10 is coded as purple and B11 is coded as orange.
They are shielded with conducting foil generally made of aluminum material. If there is extra conductor along with this pair it is a ground.
- (A2+A3) are shielded pair of high speed data transmit signal (TX1- & TX1+), in which A2 is coded as blue and A3 is coded as yellow.
They are also shielded with conducting foil generally made of aluminum material. If there is extra conductor along with this pair it is a ground. The shield is individually grounded at both ends.
Note that the mention color code above is as per USB C standards, there may be some cable that don’t have exact same color of wiring. Some manufacture may have different color of wires in the USB type C cables.
Generally, Vbus/ Gnd /D+ /D- have fixed color code and followed by most manufacture, other signals may have different pattern like in color combination.
Few example are: (TX1+ TX1-) & (RX1+ RX1-) could be of black and white color but in different color jacket/ Mylar foil.
