Coax vs Ethernet: Complete Comparison Guide (2026)

Updated July 2026. Coaxial cables and Ethernet cables serve different purposes in networking. Coaxial cables are used for cable internet connections, while Ethernet cables are used for local area network connections. The main differences are the type of signal they carry, the connector type, speed, and distance capabilities. This article explains the differences in detail to help you choose the right cable for your needs.

Coaxial cables have been used for decades to carry radio frequency signals for cable television and internet. Ethernet cables, also known as Cat5, Cat6, or Cat6a cables, are used to create wired computer networks. While both can carry data, they are designed for different applications and are not directly interchangeable without a modem or converter.

What Is a Coaxial Cable?

A coaxial cable is an electrical cable with a copper center conductor, a dielectric insulator, a braided shield, and an outer jacket. It carries radio frequency signals between devices. In networking, coaxial cables are used to connect your cable modem to the cable TV outlet in your wall. The cable modem converts the coaxial RF signal to an Ethernet signal for your computer or router. Coaxial cables can carry data at speeds up to 10 Gbps with DOCSIS 3.1 technology, but the actual speed depends on your internet service provider. The maximum distance for coaxial cable is about 300 meters with proper amplification. Coaxial cables use F-type connectors for TV and internet connections, or BNC connectors for video applications.

What Is an Ethernet Cable?

An Ethernet cable is a twisted pair cable used for wired computer networking. It consists of four pairs of copper wires twisted together to reduce interference. Ethernet cables are categorized by their performance, with Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a being the most common. Cat5e supports speeds up to 1 Gbps at 100 meters. Cat6 supports speeds up to 10 Gbps at 55 meters. Cat6a supports speeds up to 10 Gbps at 100 meters. Ethernet cables use RJ45 connectors, which are rectangular plugs with eight pins. Ethernet cables are used to connect computers, routers, switches, and other network devices. The maximum distance for an Ethernet cable without a switch or repeater is 100 meters. Ethernet cables are the standard for wired networking in homes and businesses.

Coaxial vs Ethernet: Key Differences

The most important difference between coaxial and Ethernet cables is their application. Coaxial cables are used for the connection between your home and your internet service provider. Ethernet cables are used for the connection between your devices within your home or office. Coaxial cables can carry data over longer distances, up to 300 meters, while Ethernet cables are limited to 100 meters. Coaxial cables are more resistant to interference than unshielded Ethernet cables, but shielded Ethernet cables offer similar protection. Coaxial cables are more durable and weather-resistant than Ethernet cables, making them suitable for outdoor installations. Ethernet cables are more flexible and easier to route through walls and ceilings. Coaxial cables require a modem to connect to Ethernet networks. You cannot connect a coaxial cable directly to a computer’s Ethernet port without a modem.

Which Cable Should You Use?

For internet connectivity, you need both types of cables. Your internet service provider uses coaxial cable to bring internet to your home. Inside your home, you use Ethernet cables to connect your devices to your router. If you’re setting up a home network, use Ethernet cables for wired connections between your router, computers, gaming consoles, and other devices. Use coaxial cable for the connection between your cable wall outlet and your modem. For new installations, Ethernet is the standard for local networking. If you’re running cable through walls, choose Cat6 or Cat6a Ethernet cable for future-proofing. For outdoor or long-distance runs, coaxial cable is the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use coaxial cable instead of Ethernet?

No, coaxial cable and Ethernet cable are not interchangeable. Coaxial cable carries RF signals, while Ethernet cable carries digital network signals. You need a modem to convert between the two.

Which is faster, coaxial or Ethernet?

Ethernet is faster for local networking. Cat6a Ethernet supports up to 10 Gbps. Coaxial with DOCSIS 3.1 supports up to 10 Gbps downstream, but this is shared with your neighborhood.

Can I run Ethernet and coaxial together?

Yes, it’s common to have both coaxial and Ethernet cables in a home network. Coaxial brings internet to your modem, and Ethernet distributes it to your devices.

How long can coaxial and Ethernet cables be?

Coaxial cables can run up to 300 meters with amplification. Ethernet cables are limited to 100 meters without a switch or repeater. Beyond 100 meters, Ethernet signals degrade.

Written by James Core, technology writer and networking specialist. Updated July 2026.

Coaxial Cable Types for Internet

There are two main types of coaxial cable used for internet connections. RG6 is the standard for modern cable internet. It has a thicker center conductor and better shielding than RG59, making it suitable for higher frequency signals. RG6 can carry signals up to 3 GHz, which is sufficient for DOCSIS 3.1 cable internet. RG59 is an older standard with a thinner center conductor and less shielding. It was used for analog cable TV and security cameras. RG59 is not recommended for modern cable internet because it cannot reliably carry the higher frequencies used by DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 modems. If you’re installing new coaxial cable for internet, use RG6. If you have existing RG59 cable, it may work for internet but will likely be slower and less reliable than RG6. The quality of the connectors and terminations also matters. Poorly terminated connectors can cause signal loss and intermittent connectivity. Use compression-type connectors rather than screw-on connectors for the best signal quality. The signal loss per foot increases with frequency, so longer cable runs require higher quality cable. For runs over 100 feet, use RG6 with low-loss dielectric for the best performance.

Ethernet Cable Categories Compared

Ethernet cables are categorized by their performance characteristics. Cat5e is the minimum standard for modern networks. It supports speeds up to 1 Gbps at 100 meters. Cat5e is sufficient for most home networks with internet speeds under 1 Gbps. Cat6 supports speeds up to 10 Gbps at 55 meters and 1 Gbps at 100 meters. It has tighter specifications for crosstalk and system noise than Cat5e. Cat6 is the recommended minimum for new installations. Cat6a supports speeds up to 10 Gbps at 100 meters. It has even tighter specifications than Cat6 and is better shielded. Cat6a is recommended for installations that require 10 Gbps speeds over longer distances. Cat7 and Cat8 are higher categories that support even faster speeds. Cat7 supports up to 10 Gbps at 100 meters with better shielding. Cat8 supports up to 40 Gbps at 30 meters. These categories are overkill for most home networks but are useful for data centers and high-performance applications. For most home networks, Cat6 is the best balance of performance and cost. For new installations, Cat6a provides better future-proofing at a slightly higher cost.

Coaxial vs Ethernet for Home Networking

For a typical home network, both coaxial and Ethernet cables play important roles. The coaxial cable brings internet service from your provider to your modem. The modem converts the coaxial signal to Ethernet. The Ethernet cable connects the modem to your router. From the router, Ethernet cables connect to your computers, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and other devices. For the best performance, use Ethernet cables for connections that require high speed and low latency, such as gaming, video streaming, and large file transfers. Wi-Fi is convenient for mobile devices but is slower and less reliable than Ethernet. Coaxial cable is only used for the connection between your wall outlet and modem. If you’re using a cable modem, you need a coaxial cable. If you’re using fiber optic or DSL internet, you don’t need coaxial cable at all. For new home construction, it’s common to run both coaxial and Ethernet cables to each room. This provides flexibility for different types of equipment and future needs.

Coaxial vs Ethernet for Long-Distance Connections

For long-distance data transmission, coaxial cable has an advantage over Ethernet. Coaxial cable can carry signals up to 300 meters with proper amplification, while Ethernet is limited to 100 meters. This makes coaxial cable suitable for connecting buildings on a large property or campus. However, fiber optic cable is now the preferred solution for long-distance data transmission. Fiber optic cable can carry data over distances of several kilometers at speeds up to 100 Gbps or more. Fiber is also immune to electromagnetic interference and is more secure than copper cables. For most home and small business applications, Ethernet cable is sufficient for internal networking. For long-distance connections between buildings, fiber optic cable is the recommended solution. Coaxial cable is still used for the last mile connection from internet service providers to homes and businesses, but this is being replaced by fiber optic as the technology becomes more available and affordable.

My Recommendation for Home Networking

Based on my experience setting up home and business networks, here are my recommendations. For the connection from your wall outlet to your modem, use RG6 coaxial cable with compression-type F connectors. For the connection from your modem to your router, use a Cat6 or Cat6a Ethernet cable. For connections from your router to your devices, use Cat6 Ethernet cables. For the best performance, use wired Ethernet connections for desktop computers, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. Use Wi-Fi for mobile devices and guests. If you’re running cables through walls, run both coaxial and Ethernet to each room for maximum flexibility. If you’re using a mesh Wi-Fi system, connect the mesh nodes with Ethernet cables for the best performance. For outdoor or long-distance runs, use direct burial rated coaxial or Ethernet cable for durability. The combination of coaxial cable for internet service and Ethernet cable for internal networking provides the best performance and reliability for most homes.

Coaxial vs Ethernet: Installation and Termination

The installation process for coaxial and Ethernet cables is quite different. Coaxial cable requires stripping the outer jacket, folding back the braided shield, stripping the dielectric, and attaching a connector. The connector type determines the termination method. F-type connectors for TV and internet use either compression or crimp termination. Compression connectors are more reliable and recommended for permanent installations. Ethernet cable requires stripping the outer jacket, untwisting the wire pairs, arranging them in the correct order according to the T568A or T568B standard, inserting them into an RJ45 connector, and crimping the connector. Ethernet termination requires more precision than coaxial termination. The wires must be fully inserted and the crimp must be perfect for the cable to work. A single wire that is not fully inserted can cause the entire cable to fail. Both types of cable require specific tools for termination. For coaxial cable, you need a cable stripper and a crimp or compression tool. For Ethernet cable, you need a cable stripper and an RJ45 crimp tool. Pre-terminated cables are available for both types and are recommended for most users. Termination kits are available for both types of cable and cost about $20 to $50 for basic kits.

Coaxial vs Ethernet: Cost Comparison

The cost of coaxial and Ethernet cables varies based on the type, length, and quality. RG6 coaxial cable costs about $0.30 to $0.80 per foot for bulk cable. Pre-terminated coaxial cables with F-type connectors cost $5 to $20 for typical lengths. Cat6 Ethernet cable costs about $0.20 to $0.50 per foot for bulk cable. Pre-terminated Cat6 Ethernet cables cost $5 to $15 for typical lengths. Cat6a Ethernet cable costs about $0.40 to $0.80 per foot for bulk cable. Pre-terminated Cat6a cables cost $10 to $25 for typical lengths. The connectors are also relatively inexpensive. Coaxial F-type connectors cost about $0.50 to $2 each. RJ45 Ethernet connectors cost about $0.50 to $1 each. The termination tools are a one-time investment. A coaxial cable termination kit costs about $20 to $50. An Ethernet cable termination kit costs about $20 to $50. For most home installations, the cost difference between coaxial and Ethernet cable is negligible. The total cost of cabling for a typical home network is about $50 to $200, depending on the number of runs and the cable quality.

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