3.5 mm
Mini Jack (TRS)
Invented in
1960s
Invented by
From the 1878 phone-jack family
Availability
Ubiquitous
The headphone plug the whole world knows. A miniature TRS jack carrying stereo audio to earbuds, speakers and aux inputs everywhere.
Technical specifications
FormatTRS / TRRS
SignalStereo analog audio
Size3.5 mm
Also2.5 / 6.35 mm siblings
Found on
a laptopa desktop PCa monitora TVa smartphonea tableta games consolean instrument ampa synth / keyboarda microphonea mixer / interfacepowered speakersheadphonesan Arduino / Raspberry Pi
Recommended brands
01Neutrik (Rean)
02Oyaide
03Hicon
Where to buy
Europe-focused retailer searches. Some links are affiliate links and may earn a commission.
Common adapters and cables
Lightning headphone adapter
Fun fact
The smartphone industry spent years killing it for waterproofing and slimness, yet the humble 3.5 mm jack stubbornly survives.
Tips & tricks
A 4-pole TRRS adds a mic, but CTIA and OMTP wiring swap mic and ground, they aren't always compatible.
Philosophy
The most democratic connector ever made: no licence, no DRM, no direction wars. Plug in, and there is music.
Applications
Hi-FiPro audio
