Micro and mini HDMI cables

Micro HDMI or mini HDMI — how to tell them apart

A micro HDMI cable and a mini HDMI cable both have plugs smaller than standard HDMI, but they are not interchangeable. Before you buy, compare the port on your device with the description in its manual:

• Mini HDMI (Type C) — noticeably smaller than standard HDMI, with the same tapered shape. You will find it on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, camcorders, older tablets and Raspberry Pi Zero.
• Micro HDMI (Type D) — even smaller, roughly the size of micro USB. It is used on Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5, some compact cameras and action cameras.

At the other end of the cable there is a standard HDMI plug that fits a TV, monitor, projector or recorder.

Micro HDMI cable for Raspberry Pi and cameras

Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 have two micro HDMI ports and support two 4K monitors — Raspberry Pi 4 at 30 Hz and Raspberry Pi 5 at 60 Hz. For this setup, choose a 4K micro HDMI to HDMI cable. On cameras, a mini HDMI or micro HDMI cable lets you view photos on a TV, use an external field monitor or feed video to a capture card while streaming.

Cable length and version

For a desk with a Raspberry Pi or a field monitor, 1–1.5 m is enough. With a TV in the living room or a camera on a tripod, a 2–3 m cable is more convenient. For 4K recording and monitoring, go for a cable labelled 4K or HDMI 2.1 — cheaper Full HD cables may not handle higher resolutions. HDMI 2.1 cables give you spare bandwidth for cameras that output high-frame-rate 4K over HDMI or send a signal to an external recorder.

For devices with a full-size port, choose HDMI to HDMI cables. Get the picture from your camera onto a computer with an HDMI capture card, and copy photos with a card reader. You will find the other cables in the video cables category.

Frequently asked questions

Which HDMI cable do I need for Raspberry Pi 4 and 5?

A micro HDMI to HDMI cable. Both models have micro HDMI ports, not mini HDMI.

Will a 4K micro HDMI cable work with a Full HD monitor?

Yes. A 4K cable is backward compatible, so with a Full HD monitor or TV the picture will display at 1080p without any extra settings.