Interactive reference
RF Connector Types Comparison Chart
Search or filter common RF connector families by impedance, coupling style, application, and documented family-level frequency capability.
Start with impedance and required frequency. The frequency filter uses the highest documented capability represented by each row; those values are family/configuration references, not guaranteed ratings for every connector, cable, termination, or assembly.
No connector families in this reference match all selected criteria. Reduce the frequency requirement or clear one or more filters.
Scroll horizontally to view additional columns and vertically to view additional rows. Column headers and the connector-family column remain visible while scrolling.
| Common alias / variant | Form factor | Typical application | Reference note | Copy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNC (50 Ω) | 50 Ω BNC | 50 Ω | Bayonet | Up to about 4 GHz standard RF designs | Standard | Test & measurement, general RF | Higher-frequency BNC configurations exist; verify the exact 50 Ω part and cable. | |
| BNC (75 Ω) | 75 Ω / broadcast BNC | 75 Ω | Bayonet | 4 GHz standard; up to 12 GHz broadcast-grade | Standard | Broadcast, video, 12G-SDI | 12 GHz capability requires compatible video-grade assemblies. | |
| TNC | Standard TNC | 50 Ω | Threaded | 11 GHz standard; up to 18 GHz extended | Standard | Wireless, antennas, outdoor RF | Secure threaded alternative in the BNC-size class. | |
| Type N | N-Type | 50 Ω | Threaded | 11 GHz standard; up to 18 GHz extended | Standard / larger | Antennas, base stations, rugged RF | Extended-range designs reach higher frequencies than standard versions. | |
| SMA | Standard SMA | 50 Ω | Threaded | 18 GHz standard; up to 34 GHz extended | Subminiature | Microwave, test, antennas | Performance depends on connector/cable configuration. | |
| RP-SMA | Reverse-polarity SMA | 50 Ω | Threaded | 18 GHz standard; up to 34 GHz extended | Subminiature | Wi-Fi, IoT, antenna leads | Reverse-polarity center-contact arrangement; do not identify by shell alone. | |
| SMB (50 Ω) | 50 Ω SMB | 50 Ω | Snap-on | 4 GHz standard; up to 10 GHz extended | Subminiature | Compact board/cable RF | Extended frequency is connector/cable dependent. | |
| SMB (75 Ω) | 75 Ω SMB | 75 Ω | Snap-on | Standard SMB family reference about 4 GHz | Subminiature | Compact video / RF assemblies | 75 Ω variants exist; verify exact 75 Ω part frequency before specifying. | |
| MCX (50 Ω) | 50 Ω MCX | 50 Ω | Snap-on | Up to 6 GHz | Miniature | GPS, cellular, compact RF | 50 Ω MCX family reference; verify the exact cable and connector configuration. | |
| MCX (75 Ω) | 75 Ω MCX | 75 Ω | Snap-on | Up to 12 GHz on 75 Ω broadcast variants | Miniature | Compact video / RF | Higher-frequency capability applies to compatible 75 Ω broadcast products. | |
| MMCX | Standard MMCX | 50 Ω | Snap-on | Up to 6 GHz | Micro-miniature | Dense embedded wireless | Cable-dependent family reference. | |
| F-Type | F connector | 75 Ω | Threaded | 1 GHz standard; up to 3 GHz extended | Standard broadband | CATV, broadband, satellite | Amphenol lists ANSI/SCTE interface specification. | |
| 4.3-10 | 4.3/10 | 50 Ω | Wrench / hand-tight / push-pull | Up to 6 GHz | Infrastructure | Low-PIM cellular infrastructure | Coupling option varies by product configuration. | |
| 7-16 | 7/16 DIN | 50 Ω | Threaded | Up to 7.5 GHz | Large infrastructure | High-power cellular / low PIM | Rugged interface commonly used where power and PIM performance matter. | |
| SMP | Standard SMP | 50 Ω | Push-on / blind-mate | 26.5 GHz standard; up to 40 GHz extended | Micro-miniature | Board-to-board microwave | Extended performance depends on cable/PCB implementation. | |
| SMPM | Standard SMPM | 50 Ω | Push-on / blind-mate | 26.5 GHz standard; up to 65 GHz extended | Micro-miniature | Dense microwave / mmWave modules | Connector and cable/PCB trace dependent. | |
| 2.92 mm | 2.92 mm precision interface | 50 Ω | Threaded | Up to 40 GHz | Precision miniature | Precision microwave test | Use exact interface compatibility and torque requirements for precision work. | |
| SSMA | Standard SSMA | 50 Ω | Threaded / screw-on | Up to 40 GHz | Subminiature | Instrumentation, aerospace, microwave | High-frequency capability is cable/configuration dependent. |
Important: A connector family passing the frequency filter does not mean every part in that family is qualified at that frequency. Always verify the exact part number, cable, impedance, VSWR/return loss, power, mating interface, and environmental requirements.
More filters and actions
Use coupling and application only when they narrow a real design choice. Bulk CSV is intentionally unavailable for this curated, source-derived reference.
How to Use the RF Connector Types Chart
The fastest workflow is to start with the electrical constraints, then check the mechanical interface. Choose the system impedance, enter the highest operating frequency the interconnect must pass, and use coupling or application filters only if they narrow a real design choice.
- Match impedance first. A 50 Ω RF path and a 75 Ω video path are different design systems even when connector shells look similar.
- Enter the required frequency. The filter keeps rows whose cited family/configuration reference value reaches that threshold.
- Check coupling and size. Threaded interfaces favor retention; bayonet and snap-on styles favor fast mating; blind-mate families support dense modular assemblies.
- Verify the exact part. The family row is a screening reference, not a procurement specification.
Example
For a 50 Ω, 10 GHz bench interconnect, a standard 4 GHz BNC row is not enough by itself. The chart will retain families with documented configurations at or above 10 GHz, but the final connector and cable assembly still need a part-specific 10 GHz rating.
50 Ohm vs 75 Ohm RF Connectors
Most RF, wireless, antenna, and laboratory systems use 50 Ω interconnects. Broadcast and video systems commonly use 75 Ω interfaces because the complete signal chain is designed around that impedance. BNC, SMB, and MCX families can appear in more than one impedance, so the family name alone does not determine the electrical match.
- 50 Ω
- Common in RF communications, antennas, instrumentation, microwave systems, and higher-power coaxial paths.
- 75 Ω
- Common in broadcast, video, CATV, and other signal-distribution systems designed around 75 Ω coax.
- Why mismatch matters
- An impedance discontinuity increases reflection and can degrade return loss, insertion loss, and signal integrity.
Do not assume that two connectors are electrically interchangeable just because they can be forced or adapted to mate. Match both the mechanical interface and the system impedance.
Threaded, Bayonet, Snap-On, and Push-On Couplings
Threaded
SMA, TNC, Type N, 7-16, 2.92 mm, and SSMA use threaded coupling in the cited series. Threaded mating is useful where retention, vibration resistance, and repeatability matter.
Bayonet
BNC uses a quick quarter-turn bayonet interface. It is convenient for equipment that is connected and disconnected frequently.
Snap-on
SMB, MCX, and MMCX prioritize fast mating and compact packaging. They are common in dense equipment and embedded RF assemblies.
Push-on / blind-mate
SMP and SMPM support dense board-to-board or modular RF connections where axial mating is more practical than turning a coupling nut.
SMA vs BNC vs TNC vs Type N
| Family | Coupling | Reference frequency | Where it often fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMA | Threaded | 18 GHz standard; extended designs higher | Compact microwave, test, antennas |
| BNC | Bayonet | 4 GHz standard; selected broadcast designs higher | Bench equipment, video, general RF |
| TNC | Threaded | 11 GHz standard; extended designs higher | Wireless, vibration-prone and outdoor RF |
| Type N | Threaded | 11 GHz standard; extended designs higher | Antennas, base stations, rugged coax |
Standard vs Reverse-Polarity RF Connectors
Reverse-polarity interfaces such as RP-SMA change the center-contact gender relationship while retaining the broader connector-family form. That is why shell appearance or the words “male” and “female” are not enough for positive identification.
Do not select by appearance alone
Confirm the outer interface, center pin or socket, polarity variant, impedance, and exact mating standard before connecting equipment. A physically similar RF connector can be electrically or mechanically incompatible.
How Frequency Rating Really Works
A family-level frequency figure is a screening value. The usable upper frequency of an actual interconnect can change with straight versus right-angle geometry, cable type, launch design, dielectric geometry, adapter stack-up, assembly quality, and manufacturer-specific extended-range construction.
For example, the cited Amphenol series pages distinguish standard and extended-range ratings for SMA, TNC, Type N, BNC, SMP, and SMPM. The table therefore preserves those distinctions instead of presenting one universal “maximum GHz” as though it applied to every part.
Common RF Connector Selection Mistakes
- Matching the shell but not the impedance: 50 Ω and 75 Ω versions may share a family name.
- Confusing SMA and RP-SMA: reverse polarity concerns the center-contact arrangement, not simply the outer body.
- Treating a family maximum as a part-number rating: cable and connector configuration can lower the usable frequency.
- Ignoring the cable interface: a connector must be compatible with the coax geometry, dielectric, shield, and termination method.
- Assuming adapters are transparent: every added interface can affect return loss, insertion loss, phase, PIM, and power handling.
Engineering References and Dataset Scope
Dataset: Turn2Engineering Common RF Coaxial Connector Family Reference v1.0 · Source checked August 15, 2026 · Publisher: Turn2Engineering
This page is a deliberately limited, transformed comparison of common connector families. It does not reproduce IEC interface-control drawings, standards tables, or a manufacturer product database. The IEC generic specification provides the standards framework; family-level impedance, coupling, and frequency reference values are drawn from current official Amphenol RF series pages.
- IEC 61169-1:2013 — Radio-frequency connectors, Part 1: Generic specificationUsed for generic RF connector terminology and standards context; copyrighted standard content is summarized, not reproduced.
- Amphenol RF — RF Connectors portfolioUsed to verify the available family categories, impedance scope, frequency scope, coupling styles, and official series pages.
- Amphenol RF — SMA ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω threaded SMA reference and the distinction between standard and extended-range frequency capability.
- Amphenol RF — RP-SMA ConnectorsSupports reverse-polarity SMA scope, 50 Ω impedance, and the cited family frequency range.
- Amphenol RF — SMB ConnectorsSupports 50 Ω/75 Ω family availability, snap-on coupling, and standard/extended family frequency scope.
- Amphenol RF — BNC ConnectorsSupports 50 Ω/75 Ω BNC variants, bayonet coupling, standard RF capability, and higher-frequency broadcast configurations.
- Amphenol RF — TNC ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω threaded TNC reference and standard/extended frequency ranges.
- Amphenol RF — N-Type ConnectorsSupports the Type N 50 Ω reference and standard/extended frequency ranges.
- Amphenol RF — MCX ConnectorsSupports 50 Ω and 75 Ω MCX variants and their configuration-dependent frequency capabilities.
- Amphenol RF — MMCX ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω snap-on MMCX reference through 6 GHz.
- Amphenol RF — F-Type ConnectorsSupports the 75 Ω threaded F-Type reference and standard/extended frequency ranges.
- Amphenol RF — 4.3-10 ConnectorsSupports 50 Ω impedance, 6 GHz frequency scope, and threaded/push-pull/hand-screw coupling options.
- Amphenol RF — 7-16 ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω threaded infrastructure-family reference and frequency range.
- Amphenol RF — SMP ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω push-on/blind-mate family and standard/extended frequency range.
- Amphenol RF — SMPM ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω push-on family and extended designs through 65 GHz.
- Amphenol RF — 2.92 mm ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω threaded precision interface through 40 GHz.
- Amphenol RF — SSMA ConnectorsSupports the 50 Ω screw-on subminiature family and high-frequency reference through 40 GHz.
Dataset and Source-Check Details
- Reference conditions
- Family/configuration-level published values; DC-to-upper-frequency ranges where cited
- Canonical frequency unit
- GHz
- Missing values
- Never inferred from another connector family or manufacturer
- Rights status
- Transformed factual comparison with attribution; standards/catalog tables and drawings not reproduced
- Bulk CSV
- Disabled pending explicit redistribution review
- Maintenance trigger
- Recheck official series specifications and IEC publication status during major page revisions
RF Connector Types FAQ
Common families include BNC, TNC, Type N, SMA, SMB, MCX, MMCX, F-Type, and higher-frequency families such as SMP, SMPM, 2.92 mm, and SSMA; the right choice depends on impedance, frequency, size, environment, and coupling.
Check the center-contact pin/socket arrangement together with the outer interface; reverse polarity changes the contact relationship, so shell appearance alone is not enough.
Both 50 Ω and 75 Ω BNC versions exist, so match the connector to the impedance of the cable and system rather than selecting by shell shape alone.
Choose a family and exact part whose documented frequency range, impedance, cable interface, mechanical coupling, return-loss performance, power handling, and environment all meet the application.
Yes; physical mating does not prove impedance, frequency, return loss, power, or environmental compatibility, so the exact interface and part specifications still govern.
Use the Chart as a Screening Tool, Then Verify the Part
For RF connector selection, start with impedance and required frequency, then narrow by coupling style, physical size, cable compatibility, environment, and application. The family comparison above is designed to eliminate obvious mismatches quickly; the exact manufacturer part number and cable assembly remain the governing specification for final design.